History unlocked

HISTORICAL: Mt Wellington

RARE pictures of colonial Tasmania are among thousands of images of Australia cataloguing the growth of the colony, found after more than 150 years locked away in archives in London.

From a Hobart of horse-drawn carts and industrial wharves to tall ships entering Sydney Harbour and men in top hats in Melbourne, the images capture the capital cities' landmark buildings and everyday life.

The collection was gathered by the then British Colonial Office on the orders of the second Earl of Granville, to report back to London on the progress of Australia's colonies.

Archives show many of them were displayed at an international exposition in London in 1873 causing something of a sensation, with little understanding of life on the other side of the world.

But then they were stored away in volumes before staff at the United Kingdom National Archives received the books and spent the past 18 months digitising and cataloguing them to "show Australians their past".

Many of the images date back as far as the early 1860s and the first outdoor uses of the camera.

The "Australia collection" was contained in 45 albums of 2500 images, photographs and drawings.

All the images will be released now online on photo-sharing site Flickr and on the Archives website in time for Australia Day.

Many have no captions and the UK National Archives has invited feedback from Aussies to boost their understanding of the collection.

View the gallery

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Armed robbery at Sandy Bay

TWO men were still at large late last night after an armed robbery of Sandy Bay Newsagency during peak hour yesterday.

One of the two men was brandishing a knife in each hand when they entered the shop on Sandy Bay Rd about 4.30pm.

Tasmania police said one man jumped over the counter and removed cash from drawers in two locations while the man with the knives gave directions to staff.

The men, who were both masked, headed for Gregory St and got into a light blue Nissan Pulsar hatch.

Nobody was physically injured.

Detectives wish to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone who saw people suspiciously or saw the car.

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Outrage at bully advert

AUTHORITIES are being urged to crack down on an online market place after a Tasmanian advert was used to bully and harass a woman.

Anti-bullying groups say the post, which listed a woman for sale for $5, breached Commonwealth laws that ban the use of a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

Tasmania's anti-discrimination commissioner, Robin Banks, also was concerned the advert was defamatory and a form of sexual harassment.

It was posted on the Gumtree website on Wednesday under home and garden items for sale in Hobart, headed "Sydney Model $5.00 Negotiable" and showing a picture of a young woman wearing a black shirt lying on a yellow airbed.

It read: "For Sale: Psychotic woman, 23, looks pretty ... nasty as paint stripper behind your back, loves to bitch about her friends, AMAZING at tearing families apart, nothing but 100% lies come out her mouth. 5c ONO need gone ASAP. "

It was viewed by at least 260 people.

National Centre Against Bullying chairman Michael Carr-Gregg said it was "the second strike" for Gumtree, after the website sparked national outrage six months ago with a Tasmanian advert that banned Indians or Asians from applying for a cleaning job.

"The latest ad is an outrage," Dr Carr-Gregg said. "I would be calling on the authorities to make an example of this."

Gumtree spokesperson Nat Thomas said the post was removed from the website after complaints from other users.

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Banks called for regulation changes to make it easier for authorities to deal with companies like Gumtree.

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Bargain-hunter boom

THE head of Australia's largest discount retail network says Tasmanians love a bargain.

The Reject Shop managing director, Chris Bryce, hopes thrifty shoppers will underpin his company's rapid expansion plans.

Mr Bryce yesterday opened a new store at Claremont.

The store is the first of four new outlets Mr Bryce will open in Tasmania in four weeks.

A store will open at Bridgewater next week, at Kingston on February 7 and at Sorell on February 14. Stores at Prospect Vale and Latrobe will open on February 21, followed by outlets at Glenorchy and New Norfolk in April and May.

Mr Bryce said many of the new stores would fill sites left vacant after Chickenfeed's collapse and as many as eight staff at each new store were former Chickenfeed workers.

The company held an information and recruitment session in Hobart during December in a bid to fill 150 vacant positions.

About 450 people, including many former Chickenfeed staff, attended the session.

Mr Bryce is confident the company's rapid growth is sustainable.

However, he admits it is moving at a "hectic pace".

The company has 250 discount stores Australia-wide.

"We select the markets we believe we can be successful in," he said.

Mr Bryce is also confident the company can compete against other discount operators such as Shiploads.

"They're competition to us, the supermarkets are competition, the chemists are competitions," he said.

He said Shiploads was "more of a direct competition but they're not the same business as us and competition, I think, is healthy at the end of the day".

Mr Bryce said Tasmanians were always seeking a bargain.

"There are people who either need to save money or want to save money," he said.

"Every week we introduce something like 300 new [product] lines to our stores."

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Mundine protest plan gets KO'd

A LATE-NIGHT push from promoters has convinced Anthony Mundine to abandon a political protest in the ring before next week's IBF world title fight against Daniel Geale.

Mundine had considered using the fight's worldwide stage to protest against Australia's treatment of Aborigines by taking action during the singing of the national anthem.

While boxing insiders initially dismissed his plans as another Mundine publicity stunt, the fighter was deadly serious until a change of heart last night when he agreed to respect the traditional singing of Advance Australia Fair.

Mundine had talked about turning his back during the rendition or, alternatively, sitting down during the anthem.

Leading in to the January 30 fight, Mundine had baulked at the anthem being played at all but was told by co-promoter Garrie Francisco, who represents Geale through Grange Old School Boxing, that the anthem was unconditional.

"That won't happen, it's as simple as that," Francisco said.

Geale, who is also Aboriginal, is the IBF middleweight champion and confirmed yesterday he was aware of Mundine's plans, however he condemned his opponent.

"It's pretty low, I reckon," he said. "That will definitely go in the back of the mind. Whether I react or not in the ring when it's happening, who's to say. It's not a good thing to do."

Mundine last night declined to comment.

National anthems are traditionally played before international sporting contests as a sign of respect to the two teams, or individuals.

And yet next Wednesday's fight has significance beyond that. It will be the first time two Aborigines fight for a legitimate world title, 45 years after Lionel Rose became the first Aboriginal world champion in 1968.

Geale believes it should be a proud landmark in the nation's history. Mundine has chosen a more inflammatory route.

Why now is unclear, but Mundine insiders believe it is a follow-up to the comments he made when the fight was first announced in October, when he lit the fuse by questioning Geale's Aboriginality and joked about the genocide of Tasmanian Aborigines.

"I thought they wiped all the Aborigines from Tasmania out," he said at the press conference, before then turning on Geale. "I don't see him representing black people, or coloured people. I don't see him out in the communities doing what I do with people ... he got a white woman, white kids."

Francisco said Geale's patriotism was unchallenged.

"Daniel is a proud Australian. Anyone who doubts that only has to look at the flag he has trained under for the last 10 years."

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Fans embrace mad fashion

SUMMER DRESS-UP PARTY: Katrina Greenham, left, of NSW, Fusha Benson, of Launceston, and Coralie Menel, from France.

CRICKET Australia's theme throughout the one-day international series has been "summer's biggest dress-up party" and the crowd at Blundstone Arena certainly got in on the action yesterday.

Encouraged to dress up in the name of fun with a $1000 prize for best outfit on offer plenty of the 8102 who attended the final match between Australia and Sri Lanka joined in.

Katrina Greenham, left, of NSW, Fusha Benson, of Launceston, and Coralie Menel, from France, joined the fun with Melon Man, Smurfs, sumo wrestlers and a Buzz Lightyear.

A half-time show on the hill provided entertainment during the change of innings, with patrons dancing away waiting for the on-field action to resume.

Ms Greenham, who hails from NSW and is embarking on an Australian-wide tour to watch cricket at all the Test venues, made sure she didn't miss the chance to throw her support behind the cause.

Although her outfit may not have been as eye-catching as some - two smurfs, a couple of sumo wrestlers, a handful of fairies and Buzz Lightyear were among those spotted - she was enjoying her first visit to Bellerive, teaching a couple of foreigners the finer points of the game in the process.

"I love the cricket, I'm currently travelling Australia and want to see it in every stadium," Ms Greenham said.

"I'm taking a few years doing it, I've been to the MCG, the SCG and now Bellerive.

"It is wonderful, you couldn't ask for better weather, it has been a good game, we are doing better than we did the other day.

"I'm actually here with two French backpackers who I'm teaching cricket to as well, we are having a great day."

Ticket prices have been a huge talking point throughout the summer, but Ms Greenham had no issues with the $43 general admission.

"I have found it really inexpensive actually for a day of cricket."

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Mercure hotels on brink

TROUBLED: The Hobart Mercure hotel.

THE Hobart and Launceston Mercure Hotels would have been closed if an administrator had not been appointed, a creditor's meeting has been told.

The appointment came after the company that managed the strata-titled rooms at the hotels on behalf of investors struck financial problems.

Lanco Hobart Operations and and Lanco Launceston Operations director William Thompson said he had appointed the administrator to ensure continued trading.

"The application for the appointment of a liquidator through the courts forced me to appoint an administrator to take control of the hotel," he said.

"This decision was made ... to protect the unit owners, the primary lender and hotel staff's interests."

The meeting heard Lanco Hobart Operations owed 129 creditors $480,000 and Lanco Launceston Operations owed 157 creditors $700,000.

Lanco bought the Mercure Hobart, in Bathurst St, in 2005 and subsequently sold the 140 rooms to investors for $150,000 with a lease in place.

Investors had expected a 7 per cent return, or $10,500, annually over a 10-year period.

Mr Thompson said Lanco had been unable to meet its obligations to unit owners partly because of a downturn in conferences and a cutback in Tasmanian government spending.

The administrator, Melbourne accountant Richard Rohrt, said the companies could not make rental payments because the companies were "at best revenue neutral".

The meeting heard that Accor had made a proposal to buy the management lots in both hotels.

"If successful, the Accor deal will help protect unit holders' capital investment as well as restore to some extent the income stream from the rental of their rooms," Mr Rohrt told creditors.

Meeting records show some unit owners believed the Accor offer was too low about half Lanco's but Accor representative Haydon Elliott said the rate of return would be significantly less if the hotels were closed.

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NSW man extradited

A MAN was extradited from Tasmania to NSW to face sex charges yesterday as a result of a decision by a Launceston magistrate.

Gordon Leslie Myers, 49, will face allegations of aggravated indecent assault in July 2011 and attempting to interfere with a witness in November 2011.

Magistrate Reg Marron granted the extradition application, saying that nothing gave him confidence that Mr Myers would appear in court in NSW if allowed to make his own way.

He remanded him into the custody of two NSW detectives who were to travel on a flight yesterday.

He will appear in a Sydney court today.

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Tragic start to 2013 toll

The fatal collision on the Bass Highway at Prospect between a car and cattle truck. Picture: ROSS MARSDEN

AN American woman, 68, died yesterday morning after the car in which she was a passenger and a prime mover collided on the Bass Highway.

The woman, from New York, was rushed to the Launceston General Hospital but died soon after arrival.

She was the first person to die on Tasmania's roads this year.

The 71-year-old woman driving the Hyundai sedan and a man, 70, both from St Helens, were taken to the Launceston General Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The 69-year-old driver of the fully laden cattle truck was not injured in the crash, which occurred about 2km west of the Westbury Rd overpass near Travellers Rest.

Constable Nigel Housego said it appeared the Hyundai had been in the left lane of the dual lane highway heading west about 8.48am.

Constable Housego said he believed the sedan travelled into the right lane after the driver attempted to find a place to do a U-turn.

The truck is believed to have struck the rear of the Hyundai and shunted it over a culvert on to the median strip.

The truck travelled another 80m before the driver could stop it.

"It looks as though the truck driver has not had much of a chance to react but he braked before the impact," Constable Housego said.

He said it appeared the driver of the sedan had not seen the truck.

"Excessive speed does not seem to have been a factor."

There was luggage in the vehicle and police believe the tourist may have been going home.

Police closed the west-bound lanes of the Bass Highway for five hours and diverted traffic onto the Meander Valley Highway.

Police have asked any witnesses to contact Northern Crash Investigation Services on 6336 3936 or 6336 3701.

The road toll of one death is the same as it was for the same period last year.

nicholas.clark@news.com.au

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Mega council merger doomed

TASMANIA looks set to retain 29 councils, with indications the push for voluntary amalgamations is doomed.

More than a year after a $300,000 report commissioned by the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority recommended a mega merger in the Hobart region, member councils have vetoed the idea.

The STCA wants all 12 member councils to officially state their position on amalgamations at a meeting next month. But discussions with the Mercury reveal all except for Hobart have made a decision on the issue, with overwhelming disapproval for the idea. The STCA report by local government general manager Jude Munro and Stephen Hains, along with nationally recognised leading economist Saul Eslake, recommended the creation of a Greater Hobart Council incorporating Hobart, Glenorchy, Brighton and urban parts of Clarence and Kingborough councils, with no change to rural councils.

It found the mergers would lead to efficiency gains of up to 15 per cent in service provision, better infrastructure and greater capacity from local government.

Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas, who is also chairman of the STCA, said his council was yet to confirm its stance on amalgamation.

Despite this, he supported moves for the STCA to formalise a response to the Munro report.

"It's time we actually come up with a final response for the community after that report," he said.

"But at the end of the day, there have been very few successful amalgamations in Australia that haven't been led or dictated by a central authority (like the State Government).

"There's no use (Hobart) saying to Glenorchy or Clarence let's all get together, unless they genuinely believe that's in their best interests."

Glenorchy Mayor Stuart Slade said there were concerns amalgamation could lead to a loss of identity and local services.

However he said they were keen to further share services with neighbouring councils, such as rubbish collection, road repairs and the bulk purchase of goods like stationery.

"People in Glenorchy and people in Hobart, we do things differently," he said.

"We have our own identity now. It is an identity where we have our values, our services, our recreational pursuits, that are totally different to what's happening in other councils in the greater Hobart area."

Clarence council rejected the idea of forming part of the Greater Hobart Council.

The eastern shore municipality has instead started talks with neighbouring Sorell Council, in consideration of a possible merger.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said his council found there was no justification for a merger with Hobart.

"The big question in my mind is are the ratepayers going to be better off and therefore we're looking at the economics of (a merger with Sorell), the governance of it, we're looking at the asset management and an overall look at all of council's activities," Ald Chipman said.

Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent said the two councils had formed a working group to investigate possible benefits and expected to make a decision in coming months.

"The potential is not so much in the reduction of rates, but efficiencies in the future," he said.

Brighton Council also rejected suggestions it should merge with Hobart.

"We felt that the ratepayers of Brighton would be financially disadvantaged, (that) they would be paying much higher rates," Mayor Tony Foster said.

But council's decision was at odds with Cr Foster's personal stance on the issue.

"I've been a supporter of a Greater Hobart Council for many, many years. I'm on the record with that," he said.

Kingborough Mayor Graham Bury said there wasn't enough information on the economic benefits of a super Hobart council to make an informed decision.

"The idea of a Greater Hobat Council has really fallen over, I reckon, as a proposal," he said.

"A more natural relationship for us would be with the Huon Valley Council and we're very happy to look at shared services with all other councils."

But Huon Valley mayor Robert Armstrong said council rejected the idea because of Kingborough council's high debt level.

"Our position is that we stay as we are. But if we couldn't stay by ourselves we would support the motion for a more localised amalgamation to create one big rural council south of Hobart," he said.

Regional councils including the Southern Midlands, Central Highlands and Glamorgan Spring Bay Council supported the report's suggestion that rural councils remain independent.

Many were already sharing services and equipment where possible and were keen to explore further cost saving opportunities that did not involve amalgamation.

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Hoteliers eye Treasury icon

Admiring the iconic Treasury building's facade, Sandy Bay's Julia Grieve reckons it would be an ideal location for a hotel. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

HOBART could tap into extra tourist dollars by transforming the historic Treasury building into a luxury hotel.

Several developers have expressed an interest in turning the iconic building into a five-star accommodation venue.

The Mercury understands that developers and hotel chains have considered the site, now housing offices for public servants including Tourism Minister Scott Bacon.

And a Government spokesman yesterday confirmed "the door is always open" to developers wanting to invest in Tasmania.

Bounded by Macquarie, Davey and Murray streets and backing on to Franklin Square, the imposing sandstone Treasury building occupies half a block of Hobart's prime real estate.

With the construction of new office space for key public servants at Parliament Square about to offer modern facilities for Treasury staff, the site may end up being surplus.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said it was a prime location for a 4 1/2 or five-star hotel.

"It's an ideal opportunity. It's got heritage value, a central location, it's a standalone building, close to the city and the waterfront," Mr Martin said.

He said developers should be offered support.

A government spokesman confirmed there had been expressions of interest in the Treasury building.

"The Government's door is always open to opportunities that create jobs and investment in Tasmania," he said.

"At various times in the state's history there has been commercial interest in the Treasury building, as there is in many government buildings. At this stage there is no proposal for the sale."

Julia Grieve, 18, of Sandy Bay, said it would be an ideal spot for a new hotel.

"It's really central and I think my family and friends living interstate or overseas would love the heritage aspects of the building," she said.

But Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old questioned whether there was room for another quality hotel.

"I've never heard anyone talk about a lack of quality accommodation in Hobart," he said. "We've got some great venues like the Islington, Lenna and the new Wharf Hotel."

Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide have all turned their old Treasury buildings into hotels.

Liberal spokesman Peter Gutwein said he was concerned the potential offloading of the building was a metaphor for the Government's financial management.

"It says it all that the Premier has wrecked the Budget to such an extent she has to sell the Treasury building itself to try to plug her budget black hole," he said.

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$70m CBD home for students

The Melville St carpark is now home to the Sunday Farm Gate Market.

HUNDREDS of university students will call the Hobart CBD home with the construction of a residential and retail precinct on the corner of Melville and Elizabeth streets.

The $70 million project will provide accommodation for 400 students and will be unveiled by the University of Tasmania and the Hobart City Council today.

The project will be built on the carpark site now home to the Sunday Farm Gate Market.

A new retail precinct will be created along the Elizabeth St frontage of the project, with Melville St and Brisbane St remaining linked via a landscaped public walkway.

The university was remaining tight-lipped about the project yesterday.

But the Mercury understands the complex will include catering services, academic support services and a 24-hour reception.

The project will give the city a much needed boost of activity in line with the council's desire to get more people living in the CBD.

The project follows on from the announcement of a $75 million creative arts hub to be built in Campbell St by the university.

The Academy of Creative Industries and Performing Arts was given the green light in December.

The Federal Government has given the university $55 million to build 770 studio apartments at UTAS campuses across the state over the next few years.

Federal Minister for Community Services Julie Collins said yesterday the project will give university students access to cheap, affordable housing in the heart of the city.

"We know that housing affordability is a concern for many students in Hobart," Ms Collins said yesterday.

"We want to reduce the stress of rental costs and give them the peace of mind to focus on studying."

She said the project, funded through the National Rental Affordability Scheme, would give about 400 low- and moderate-income UTAS students access to more affordable rental accommodation.

"This development will save eligible students thousands of dollars a year."

The Mercury understands the Sunday Farm Gate Market will remain somewhere in the city.

Master Builders Tasmania executive director Michael Kerschbaum said the project could create hundreds of jobs.

However, he did raise concerns the city may not have enough labourers for a number of projects which are due to come on line in the city.

"The timing could be better."

matthew.smith@news.com.au

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At last Daniels burns

FRONTRUNNER: Mitch Daniels, brother of 3000m champion Mel, on his way to victory in the 800m in Hobart yesterday. Picture: ANITA WELSH

AUSTRALIAN 3000m champion Mel Daniels has hit form at the right time of the season with an impressive run at the Domain over 3000m yesterday.

On a day that had many athletes competing at various venues around the country, Daniels was the standout on the track.

Daniels hasn't set the world on fire this season since running a half-marathon in Singapore in November, but yesterday's run of 9min 37.23 sec was her best of the season.

Her brother Mitch was also in winning form, frontrunning the 800m to victory in 1min 55.37sec, ahead of evergreen masters athlete Stephen Rae, who just dipped under 2min.

Making his debut over 400m was former national under-14 sprint champion Russell Taib.

Now under the guidance of coach Damian Lawler, the teenager was aiming to run 54 seconds, but in the end was outstanding with 51.09sec.

In the field, Eastern Suburbs thrower Rebecca Direen was the best performer. The softly spoken powerhouse threw the shot put 13.63m to easily surpass the national open qualifying mark and set a new personal best in the process.

Southern Saints thrower Anita Millington returned to the track, showing she still has what it takes to throw national qualifiers, by sending the 4kg hammer 44.61m. The competition was taken out by world junior representative Danni McConnell, who threw 53.80m.

Relays were conducted over 4 x 200m, with Eastern Suburbs winning the men's and Northern Suburbs taking out the women's.

In Sydney, at the Australian Youth Olympics Festival, Tasmania has won a medal of each colour on day one of the track and field competition.

It began in the men's 1500m with Hugh Nicklason winning gold, with a new meet record of 3min 54.11sec.

Nicklason finished one place ahead of Jonas Aranda by a full second, with Brazilian Weverton Fidelis third.

In the men's 100m Sandy Bay's Jesse Usoalii scorched home to secure the silver medal.

His time of 11.07sec wasn't the quickest in his career, but it was impressive into a 1.2m headwind and enough to place him in front of the best juniors from China, New Zealand and Brazil.

Continuing the medal winning form on the track was Ulverstone's Kale Adams.

After winning a national medal in Hobart last month, he now has an Olympic youth bronze medal after running 6min 14.90sec in the 2000m steeplechase.

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Exciting field to contest Cup

TODAY'S Elwick meeting in Hobart is a must-attend event for punters, with eight small but select races on the card, including the $90,000 Betfair Hobart Guineas (2100m) and the $25,000 Betfair Summer Cup (2100m).

The Summer Cup has attracted nine starters, including last year's Hobart Cup winner Geegees Blackflash (Peter Mertens), Bendigo Cup winner from 2010 and 2011 Devonport Cup winner Dream Quest (Craig Newitt), exciting front-running stayer The Cleaner, and 2012 Launceston Cup winner Prevailing.

Throw into the mix the 2012 Mornington Cup winner Norsqui (Bulent Muhcu), recent Devonport Cup winner Fieldmaster (Michelle Payne) and capable stayers Catwen Boy (Shuji Amano), Royal Miswaki (Kim Moore) and stablemate Temajim (Anthony Darmanin), who was luckless in the Devonport Cup, and we have a race that has excitement written all over it.

Grand campaigner Norsqui has his eyes set on next month's Hobart Cup and heads into today's race having had one start back from a spell.

The Walter McShane-trained gelding will appreciate another run or two under his belt. However, he is certainly heading in the right direction, according to Brendan McShane.

"The 2100 metres is probably too short against this quality line-up, but dad [Walter] and I were pleased with his first-up effort," McShane said.

"He's tightened up since his last race almost three weeks ago and he is nearing his ideal race weight.

"History shows that he needs a few runs before he's spot-on, and he's likely to contest the Weight-For-Age Jockey Club Cup [2200m] at Elwick after this race, then on to the Hobart Cup."

McShane will saddle up Keep The Cash (Bulent Muhcu) in the Hobart Guineas and admits that this race will be a test for all horses.

"He's done extremely well since his last start in the Tasmanian Guineas [1600m] and looks very well," McShane said.

"This will be a good test to see if he can stay, and the same can be said for every horse in the race as they are all in the same boat. He does relax well in his races, which will help his cause."

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