THIS IS DISAPPOINTING
AS a stallholder at Agfest, I am disappointed that the COVID restrictions on attendees remain steadfast at 10,000 visitors per day and not increased to 15,000.
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We are all aware of how fortunate we are to live in Tasmania and have a government that has proactively managed to protect our best interests.
However, as other states slowly and safely open up again, Tasmania appears to stand rigid to our earlier COVID commitments and not adjust health restrictions accordingly, as the national situation stabilises.
Unfortunately, for our wonderful Agfest organisers, Rural Youth, and their volunteer stallholders, this comes at a substantial cost.
In 2019, the Hagley Farm School Food Van raised $10,000 at Agfest.
IN OTHER NEWS:
These funds were used to upgrade the kindergarten playground. This year, with the four-day event, volunteer man-hours working in the van will increase to more than 200 hours, however, with the current low attendee number limit, it is predicted the food van will just break even.
This is a financial risk many other volunteer community groups will be taking, however, they return to show their support to Agfest, who have had the courage and energy to push forward in these challenging times.
An increase from 10,000 to 15,000 attendees per day at this great Tasmanian event, will substantially change this outcome and allow these small groups to return a financial profit and to invest back into their community.
Anna Clark, Rupertswood Farm Crop Maze owner and Hagley Farm School Association chair.
THIS IS CRAZINESS
WE were incredibly excited about attending this year's Agfest back in the paddock but have just learned that the first release tickets for Friday and Saturday are already sold out and numbers are still capped at 10,000 people per day. This is crazy.
It's been almost 130 days since the last case of COVID in Tasmania and our rules remain tougher than anywhere else in Australia.
It's time to be fair and reasonable, and increase numbers to at least 15,000 per day. We want to support Tasmanian businesses.
Michelle Loane, Fingal.
FEEDING THE HOMELESS
FULL marks to Green Bean Cafe for their initiative in providing hot meals for the homeless (The Examiner, April 14).
I agree with them that it is people power rather than simply more government handouts that will inevitably make a difference.
- Margaret Hosford
Whether it is climate change, mental health, aged care, disability support, education or gender equity, we all have a part to play in the solutions, by our attitudes and the small daily initiatives that can be taken by us all.
These will have a more lasting effect on our fellow Tasmanians than simply throwing bucket loads of money at a "problem".
Margaret Hosford, Youngtown.
LIVE EXPORT BAN
NEW ZEALAND has just announced a ban on all livestock exported by sea.
This is a huge win for animals, and animal welfare lobbyists, setting an international precedent for other countries to follow but will Australia, and Tasmania, do so?
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Let us hope so; we don't want repeats of the horror sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 disaster last year resulting in the loss of 5867 cows and 41 crew members; never mind recent appalling TV footage of the abysmal treatment of Australian livestock on their way to the Middle East for slaughter wallowing in their faeces, deprived of food, water and sufficient air before many being callously dumped overboard as shark fodder following their demise before they even arrived.
As Australians, and human beings, we should be ashamed of ourselves for permitting this to happen; well done New Zealand; Australia take note.
Jim Collier, Legana.
GAMING MACHINES SHUTDOWN
WHAT an amazing opportunity to start saving money and to get out of the habit of playing machines when bored.
Ann Osborne, Kingston Beach.
HOCKEY FACILITIES FUNDING
LAUNCESTON has been fortunate to have hosted the Australian under 18 hockey tournament at St Leonard's.
The value to the economy of Launceston and surrounds would have been very welcome in these COVID-19 times.
Unfortunately, the facilities are tired and need upgrading, so this will probably be the last time Launceston hosts a major hockey tournament unless work is urgently done.
I call upon the candidates for the upcoming election to support this project.
Wayne Ottaway, Launceston.
MEANINGLESS PROMISES
BOTH major political parties are promising a wide variety of election teasers throughout Tasmanian electorates, but neither party has any real policy to seriously tackle climate change which threatens civilisation as we know it.
Caring for our environment is barely mentioned in this election.
Both parties want to cut down our native forests, continue to pollute our coasts and harbours with overstocked salmon farming and promote forestry operations that pollute our air and rivers.
It seems like jobs at all costs even if they cost the earth.
How about some policies to create new jobs in a sustainable environment?