Friends A-Z

ABC Friends

Meet your local ABC Friends group

ABC Friends is a community organisation represented in every State working together to maintain the independence and integrity of the ABC. We support the maintenance and advancement of the ABC to fulfil to a high standard its role as an independent, comprehensive national public broadcaster. We depend on it to promote Australian culture in all its diversity.

The ABC

• The most trusted source of news in Australia
• Local community broadcasting
• Quality children’s programming
• A vehicle for indigenous arts and drama
• Extensive online services
• Fearless investigative reporting without political interference
• Essential broadcasts for emergency services
• A voice for outback and farming communities
• Broadcasts free from advertising and commercial influences
• Support for emerging musicians of all genres
• Creative Australian drama

If you care about any of the above then you must speak out. It is rapidly being lost and we are all the poorer for it.

“You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”

Read more about what we do and how to find us at: https://www.abcfriends.org.au/index.php/contact-us/tas/

Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival

The Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air (BOFA) Film Festival is intimate, thought-provoking and fun. BOFA is small enough to be friendly – not a black T-shirt or snooty attitude in sight – and big enough to be international in perspective.

We find fresh, innovative stories to inspire you to see the world differently – truly a ‘breath of fresh air’. We show shorts at each screening and lead you in a conversation with film makers and experts after each film.

We party hard at our red carpet opening night party, at the Tasmanian Innovation Awards, at the BOFA Devil Screen Industry Awards and on closing night. Our Festival Lounge features great Tasmanian wines, barista coffee and food (including the world’s best vegetarian) – the perfect place to chill or chat.

Just a short drive/flight away and with the beauties and temptations of the Tamar Valley Wine Route and Launceston’s many award-winning restaurants to visit while here. Come!

Full programme and ticketing live online at  www.bofa.com.au

Baptcare Foster Caring

Family, youth & foster care

Services for youth, families and children in Tasmania

Foster Care information session:

29/5/19

6pm-8pm

288 Invermay Road, Mowbray

From December 3^rd 2018, Baptcare and Mission Australia Gateway Services transformed into the state-wide Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice & Referral Line in partnership with Child Safety Services. Call 1800 000 123.

Baptcare receives funding from the Department of Health Human Services to provide this service.

We also work in partnership with a group of family support providers to offer in-home family support and practical parenting assistance. We also work with young people who are at risk of homelessness or homeless and who are facing risk of statutory intervention.

https://www.baptcare.org.au/

Conservation Volunteers Australia

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s annual celebration, acknowledging the generous contribution of volunteers across our nation. Taking place this year from 9th – 15th May, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on why we volunteer, and what can be achieved through the dedication and commitment of volunteers willing to turn their hands to conservation. Conservation Volunteers Australia has existing projects in Cataract Gorge and some upcoming Marine Debris projects in the north. If you would like to volunteer in the Launceston Region please visit conservationvolunteers.com.au.

Devil State Derby League

Devil State Derby League (DSDL) was established in 2011, based in Launceston and is the newest roller derby team in Tasmania. Roller derby is a fun, fast paced, full contact sport played on roller skates and with a lot of protective gear. DSDL is a diverse group of (mostly) women, from stay-at-home mothers to doctors and everything in between. We are welcoming and feel that derby has a place for everyone, be it on or off skates. We are a small but formidable team recently coming 2nd in Division 2 at The Great Southern Slam, the biggest roller derby tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. We are eager to promote our sport and encourage people to get involved. Our motto is “We Can, We Will”, which is at the core of everything we do.

Epilepsy Tasmania

Epilepsy Tasmania is the official Tasmanian partner of Purple Day and is committed to making Purple Day even bigger.

Purple Day is a grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On 26 March people from around Australia and the world are asked to go purple and spread the word about epilepsy.

There is a way you can show your support for people living with epilepsy and that is by becoming a Purple Day Hero. When you ‘Go Purple’ you help to not only spread awareness but to also reduce the stigma still wrongly associated with this disorder. You also help us to raise additional funds so that we can continue to provide much-needed services.

For more information visit www.epilepsytasmania.org.au

Fair Trade Tasmania

Fair Trade Tasmania is a group committed to the promotion and education of fair trade in Tasmania. Together with Oxfam they promote Fair-trade Fortnight, which is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Foundry

Saturday 21 February we will be welcoming our neighbour, Foundry to the market, as a Friend of Harvest. For those unfamiliar, Foundry delivers Australia’s leading courses, with a focus on accessibility – here in Tasmania. They bring the leading schools from around Australia and house them under one roof, giving their students access to the nations best creative education and industry opportunities. They can answer any questions that you may have about Foundry this Saturday, and will be hosting a fun little competition that could see you walking away with a basket FULL of amazing Harvest produce. Bring your creativity and your Instagram account for a chance to win!

Heritage Isle Tornadoes

The Launceston Heritage Isle Tornadoes play Australia’s premier winter league, the SEABL. The club has a rich 22-year history and a unique story of being a women’s only club that represents Launceston on the national stage. The club’s mission is Elite Basketball with a Community Heart.

The Tornadoes have experienced rapid growth on and off the court recently and are excited to be moving into a new era of sustainability as a professional sporting club and a role model for the community of Launceston. The Tornadoes are a not for profit organisation and rely entirely on the support of the community.

www.tornadoes.com.au

Junction Arts Festival

5th-9th of September, 2018

Junction is a festival that celebrates community and creativity – presenting dynamic performances of art, music and dance alongside theatre, literature, new media, public installations and interactive performances. Junction is presented in the Festival Hub at Prince’s Square, Launceston each year in the first week of Spring. 

For more information visit: www.junctionartsfestival.com.au

Kidney Health Australia

Kidney Health Australia is a not for profit organisation whose focus is to improve kidney health outcomes which lead to substantial improvements to the quality of life for people with kidney and urinary tract diseases, their families and carers, as well as developing initiatives that reduce the incidence of kidney disease in the Australian community. Kidney Health Australia has given a long term commitment to families and children affected by kidney disease, but the biggest challenge remains for us to reach those two million Australians who do not know they have early kidney damage. For more information visit www.kidney.org.au.

Launceston Amnesty Action Group

The new Launceston Amnesty Action group will be welcoming the community to this Saturday’s Harvest Market to share their passion for justice and defending human rights.  Drop by the stall to find out how you can be involved with Amnesty’s campaigns locally and chat to our guests from the Migrant Resource Centre about celebrating cultural diversity in the community.

Launceston Players

The Launceston Players Society, formed in September 1926, is one of the oldest theatre companies in Australia. Since 1926 it has had an unbroken record of operation in the local and Northern Tasmania community. It was started by people with a passion for fine performance and bringing the best of contemporary works to the theatre going public – a tradition which continues to this day.

This year the Players will be staging Stepping Out, a comedy by Richard Harris. Local talent Mark Horner is directing this story of a tap dancing school set in North London and follows the trial and tribulations of the various characters . These members of the amateur tap class all attend for their own reasons, but the play is an endearing tale of how determination, friendship and camaraderie can shape even the most bashful into proud performers.

This warm and funny play, not to be confused with a musical had a hugely successful West End run in 1984. Stepping Out is a chance to “step into your dream” and opens on Wednesday 23^rd May and runs through to 31^st May 2018 at the Earl Arts Centre.

The local Launceston stage has been witness to the variety and dedication of diverse talent that the organisation has brought to life and the Players will be at the market on Saturday to introduce the characters and plot to the local community. However, it is not all about the acting, the Launceston Players conserve a comprehensive theatre wardrobe. Classic costumes and pieces from all periods are made available to local groups.

For bookings and full performance details: http://launcestonplayers.com/event/stepping-out-3/

Life Without Barriers

We need Foster Carers in Tasmania to share their home, heart and time with a child or young person.

Children in foster care need committed, trustworthy and resilient adults to guide them to a positive future.

If you can be the positive change in a child’s life, come and visit the Life Without Barriers team us at the Harvest Market in Launceston at 71 Cimitiere Street on Saturday 17 September 2016.

You can also visit www.fostercare.lwb.org.au or follow us on Facebook LWBAustralia

Foster Care – It’s Life Changing

New Horizons Club

Gourmet Gold Ticket Draw is a fresh fundraising initiative from New Horizons Club, celebrating the very best in Launceston dining. Entry is $5 per ticket, with six superb dining experiences to be won. As a great bonus, each ticket purchased can also be redeemed as a $5 voucher at the Trevallyn Grocer!

Visit www.gourmetgoldticket.com.au  to buy tickets and check out the amazing prizes on offer at Stillwater, Pierre’s, Red Feather Inn, Cataract on Paterson, Terrace Restaurant and Entally Lodge. All money raised goes to New Horizons Club, providing sport, recreation and social opportunities to local people with disability.

Patersonia Early Learning

Patersonia has been started by a small group of Launceston parents and teachers who believe there is a different way forward for the future of education. We come from a range of professional backgrounds and educational experiences, but have a common goal to create a new educational environment which is

• caring, personalised and authentic,
• small, flexible and responsive,
• evidence based in its curriculum
• continually reflecting and improving

Patersonia is a community-based, secular, independent learning environment offering education programs for ages 3-12. We adopt a personalised, multi-sensory approach to education where every student can be successful. 

Our smallness is our strength – students’ individual interests and passions contribute to their explorations. We provide regular and ongoing access to wild spaces, with wise and skilled educators who understand the power of play and child-directed learning in a natural environment, whilst also providing emergent and inquiry-based learning in a range of community spaces. 

We value our Tasmanian and Australian context, environment and inheritance, but connect globally – sharing with and learning from other cultures. We learn among nature and the community, rather than separated from it.

Patersonia currently has spaces available in their Early Learning program at Legana and are accepting expressions of interest for their primary education program for 2020.

Please contact Nicole Crook: 0413 122 086 or email: admin@patersonia.org 

Pedder Patter Childcare Centre

Located close to the Launceston CBD, the Centre was established in 1988 as a not-for-profit organisation to help meet the needs of the local community. The Director and a voluntary committee of people, who are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting, manage it.

Pedder Patter is one of the last not-for-profit childcare Centre’s remaining in our community. One element that entices many parents and thrills their children is a full time cook, who prepares fresh food daily for the children.

Pedder Patter believes in a holistic approach to the development of children, the curriculum and the daily programs. They encourage open communication between educators, children, parents and families to build trusting relationships. Children, parents and family members are encouraged to participate and collaborate in partnership with the educators, in developing our daily program.

Rotary Club of Launceston West

Rotary is a worldwide organisation of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and helps good will and peace in the world. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self. Rotarians provide community service both locally and internationally.

Tasmania is Rotary District 9830. There are 47 clubs and 1450 members in the District.  The Rotary Club of Launceston West was chartered on 13 May 1972. It is a service club with a cross section of men and women from all walks of life. At our weekly dinner meeting there is an interesting guest speaker as well as club business and an emphasis on friendly interaction and networking.  The club organises regular social occasions and partners are always welcome at these as well as the weekly meetings.

Our club supports a number of local community organisations and projects:

• Spurr Wing, which provides accommodation for out-patients receiving treatment at the LGH
• City Mission, particularly Missiondale.
• Red Cross Delivered Meals.
• The local Nepalese refugee community
• The Examiner Empty Stocking Appeal
• The Kidney Foundation’s Big Red Kidney Walk

The club has a strong commitment to supporting young people to participate in the many Rotary Youth programs, such as Rotary Youth Driver Awareness, Model United Nations and National Youth Science Forum.

On the international scene, our club participates in the End Polio Now campaign, the Gift of Sight program in Nepal and the Rotahomes project in Fiji.

We provide community support through volunteering our time; however we also need to raise funds in order to support these projects.

Some of our current fund-raising activities include:

• Food Van at Agfest
• Wishing Wells in some shopping malls in the Launceston area
• Bunnings Sausage Sizzles
• Club social functions

In recent years the club has teamed with the Rotary Club of Longford to stage the Tour de Norfolk Plains Bike Ride. This very successful event raises money for the Australian Rotary Health Foundation as well as local charities.

If you are interested in meeting people and having fun while serving your community, then come along as our guest to one of our meetings:
Mondays. 5:30 for 6:00pm at The Boathouse, 55a Lindsay Street, Invermay.

For more information please contact us at:
president.launcestonwest@rotary9830.org.au
or visit our website: www.launcestonwestrotary.org.au

Sawtooth ARI

Sawtooth ARI is a non-for-profit Artist-Run-Initiative Gallery based in Launceston. Since its establishment in 2011, Sawtooth ARI has grown in strength to become a progressive and innovative centre for the presentation of contemporary, experimental and emergent art forms in Northern Tasmania. Every year, Sawtooth ARI holds a Fundraiser Event to help finance the development of programs and initiatives aimed at furthering exposure and professional development opportunities for artists while enriching Launceston’s cultural vibrancy. The Sawtooth ARI Annual Fundraiser is a great way to acquire amazing work by a host of emerging and established artists while supporting this integral arts organisation within the community. With food, music, art and atmosphere the 2015 Sawtooth ARI Annual Fundraising Event is not to be missed!

Speech Pathology Australia

Speech Pathologists – Creating futures by changing lives

Communication is a basic human right. Each year Speech Pathology Australia hosts Speech Pathology Week to make Australians aware of those in our community who have a communication or swallowing difficulty. In 2016, Speech Pathology Week is 7-13 August.

More than 1.1 million Australians have a communication or swallowing difficulty that impacts on their quality of life. Every day speech pathologists are creating futures by changing lives for Australians with communication and swallowing difficulties.

The Launceston Eye Institute Cataract Gorge Challenge

The Launceston Cataract Challenge has been postponed!
Do not fear it’ll be back in the New Year!

You can still experience the experience the Cataract Gorge in flood Saturday 1 November (after Harvest Market)! 

Watch the thundering water fill the first basin from 9am and then join in the fun with King River Rafting. No need to book, just dress to get wet and bring your entry money.  Two runs down the gorge only costs $50.00 per person, with a driver to bring you back up to the First Basin in between trips.  Rafts will be running from 10am-2pm.

If spectating is more your thing, watch experienced kayakers battle the white water as they prepare to take the title of the Hydro Tasmania Cataract Gorge Extreme Race.

www.launcestoncataractchallenge.com.au
Like our Facebook page for further information.

United Language Institute

A multicultural meeting point for understanding

Our vision is to build bridges between cultures and maximise opportunities for communication and collaboration between the members of the Launceston Community, as well as providing global opportunities to students and businesses that are willing to live, study or work abroad, through the acquisition of linguistic and cross-cultural skills.

We are eager to provide the Launceston community with the appropriate tools to learn to understand and appreciate other cultures, through languages and culture lessons.

We provide boutique and dedicated language and culture blocks for adults of 6-weeks lessons to groups of 6-8 people in six languages (Mandarin, Spanish, French, Italian, Greek and German), with a view to expanding to children’s offering, as well as African, other Asian and Middle-Eastern languages very soon.

Visit unitedlanguageinstitute.com.au for more details.

Follow #unitedlanguageinstitute on Facebook!

UTAS School of Creative Arts

‘University of Tasmania’s First Year SOCA Bachelor of Contemporary Arts Students presents I ♥ …

Devised by the students, this is a post-dramatic exploration into the complexities of love in its many diverse forms. This performance invites the audience to take a step into how love directly shapes our lives.

Created by the First Year Theatre Students, Facilitated and Directed by Grace Roberts and Chris Jackson.

This show involves audience participation so be prepared to volunteer!

7pm 12-13 October

TWO SHOWS ONLY

Annexe Theatre, Inveresk

General Admission $5, Free for UTAS Staff & Students

www.trybooking.com/XMRS

BOOKING ESSENTIAL.

XYZ

XYZ is a caring community of artists who commit to recurring projects raising an inspired voice for things that matter.

One of the founding members of XYZ was an artist called Mark who first suggested we focus our artistic community on the topic of ’empathy’ in response to current research highlighting the growing global empathy deficit (Roman Krznaric & Brené Brown are leaders in this field of research). Mark is an established artist and we were going to use his art piece entitled ‘walk a mile in my shoes’. Mark took this piece to malls across Australia where people traced their foot prints onto the canvas whilst including a quote that meant something important to them. Mark went missing earlier in the year and is still missing. We felt it inappropriate to ask his family for use of the canvas at this difficult time. We decided in Mark’s absence to focus on empathy by simply asking the question to the Launceston community, ‘who are you missing?’

We have asked local school children to answer this question through painting. We are now asking the local community to answer this question on a postcard through drawing, writing or simply remembering. We encourage you to take a moment to remember those you are missing through separation, distance, travel or death. Please reflect too on the idea that by remembering those we miss, we are united with others with similar feelings, regardless of age, gender, nationality or culture. We are all missing people we love. Who are you missing?