Newsletter, August 2010, Issue 108
Tassie snatches wine world’s spotlight
Share on FacebookBy Graeme Phillips
Tasmania scored a branding coup in Seattle in June by securing the 2012 International Cool Climate Symposium (ICCS). Minutes before the State’s delegation was due to make its final presentation on the last day of the Seattle ICCS, it was announced that Hobart had been chosen to host the next session of the globally respected meeting. The Tasmanian presenters quickly turned their prepared sales pitch into an invitation to their audience of hundreds of scientists, academics and wine-industry leaders from around the world to come to Tasmania from February 1-4 in 2012.
Wine Industry Tasmania’s Chief Executive, Sheralee Davies, said hosting the symposium would put Tasmania firmly on the global stage and reinforce its cool-climate winemaking credentials to the world. “The symposium has already attracted a group of European viticultural researchers, Groupe d’Etude des Systemes de Conduite de la Vigne, to convene in Hobart at the time of the 2012 conference,” Ms Davies said. “And we are delighted to confirm Jancis Robinson as the conference’s keynote speaker, and to have the support of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) and Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) as conference partners with Wine Industry Tasmania.”
The successful bid was the result of close collaborative work over the past year between the board and members of Wine Industry Tasmania, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts and Tourism Tasmania, culminating in a winning pitch in Seattle that included tastings, a Tasmanian wine dinner, behind-the-scenes lobbying and very professional promotion of the State by Tourism Tasmania.
The outcome of a $1.8 million Tasmanian research project will be the centrepiece of the 2012 symposium. The investigation into pinot noir and sparkling wine done over the past three years at Tamar Ridge and UTAS was funded by Ausindustry and a Tasmanian-based consortium led by WIT and including the AWRI, TIAR, Tamar Ridge Estates, Croplands Pty Ltd and Flextank International Ltd.
The ICCS symposia are largely focused on science. WIT Director, Dr Andrew Pirie, said the challenge for Tasmania now was to maximise the benefits that would flow from the 2012 event by weaving in a series of consumer and lifestyle opportunities to showcase Tasmania’s rich diversity of food, wine, art, history and nature. Linking ICCS to Savour Tasmania, or a series of regional events, are possibilities that will be explored, as well as working with the 2012 Tasmanian Wine Show, due to be held in the week or so leading up to the symposium.
For other reports in your August newsletter, please click on the headlines.
World listing for 5 convict sites
Five Tasmanian convict sites, including two privately owned farms, have been added to the World Heritage List. If you would like to read about a major success for Tasmania’s conservators and tourism industry, please click on the headline.
Architect etches tourism gem
Architect Robert Morris-Nunn was one of the proudest people in a crowded room when Tasmania’s standard-setting east coast resort, Saffire-Freycinet, was officially opened by the Premier, David Bartlett, in August. If you would like to read about the extraordinary new landmark at Coles Bay, please click on the headline.
Tree war truce on highlands farm
A farming property in Tasmania’s central highlands is the first in Australia to secure full Forest Stewardship Council certification for the harvesting of native forest. If you would like to read why the forestry industry and conservationists have both endorsed plans for Lagoon of Islands, please click on the headline.
The winner is … Bec Smith
Bec Smith, a digital project manager, from Newtown, NSW, has won a holiday for two in Tasmania. She was the first person selected by computer after correctly responding ‘Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania’ to the quiz question run by Brand Tasmania in conjunction with the release by SBS1 of the documentary, Tetsuya’s Pursuit for Excellence. If you would like to read more, please click on the headline.
Friend of the Devil; a New York story
Brand Ambassador Larissa Bartlett visited New York in July in company with her husband, the Tasmanian Premier, David Bartlett. With the help of a distinguished local eFriend, Larissa was interviewed by Rebecca Mead of The New Yorker – an achievement in itself. If you would like to read a view of our islands from the city of skyscrapers and cocktail party one-upmanship, please click on the headline.
Challen, 60, ends Treasury reign
Tasmania’s fiscal puppet-master, Don Challen, the longest-serving Secretary in the history of the Department of Treasury and Finance, will retire on 15 October. If you would like to read about a major lifestyle change for Tasmania’s most influential bureaucrat, please click on the headline.
Read more...
Full circle for Murphy’s life of dance
Acclaimed Tasmanian choreographer Graeme Murphy has travelled full circle, returning to Hobart’s Theatre Royal where he began his stellar career in the world of dance. If you would like to read the story behind Murphy’s latest production, FORTY Miles – A River of Dream, that was staged recently as part of Tasdance’s Heart Matters, please click on the headline.
News-in-Brief
Brand takes up fair marketing cause
Brand Tasmania’s support for local vegetable growers angered by what they believe to be a misleading TV advertisement heads the August edition of News-in-Brief. We also report on Tasmanian medal successes at the 2010 Produce Awards; the selection of three Tasmanians in Australia’s Test cricket team; Charles Wooley headlining a campaign to attract more events to the State; and lots more. If you would like to read the latest edition of News-in-Brief, please click on the headline.
Competition 108
This month’s quiz prize will be the lavishly illustrated book Tasmania’s Table by Paul County and Nick Osborne, with a forward by Tetsuya Wakuda
The July quiz answer: Don McIntyre
This month's question: Who is Tasmania’s longest-serving department head?
Closing date: 13/09/2010
For further information contact:
Robert Heazlewood
Executive Director
Robert.Heazlewood@brandtasmania.com
Mike Jenkinson
Communications Consultant
editor@brandtasmania.com