Premier Will Hodgman said the Vanessa G had been carefully restored over six months by prison inmates in partnership with the Howrah Rotary Club as part of a prisoner reintegration program.

“It’s a great reflection on Vanessa’s widespread contribution to our community, it was way beyond politics,” Mr Hodgman said.

“She was a caring person.

“Vanessa was very passionate about prisoner rehabilitation, and this is a poignant tribute to her work in this area.”

Dr Goodwin died from brain cancer in March last year.

The dinghy will be sold by public action, with the proceeds going to hep fund future projects between Rotary and Risdon Prison.

The Vanessa G will be on display to the public during the festival on Hobart’s waterfront from today and over the Hobart Regatta Day long weekend.

Mr Hodgman said the Boat Festival was expected to welcome more than 120,000 visitors over four days for what was “the largest collection of wooden boats in the southern hemisphere”.

“It is estimated around three thousand people will come from interstate and overseas for the event, injecting approximately $3 million into our visitor economy,” he said.

“Tasmania has a vibrant reputation as an events capital and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival has been a pioneer in developing our reputation.

“Also, this year’s Festival is another important reminder that despite the current bushfire situation, Tasmania is open for business.”