5/13/14 - Saturday, last day in Tasmania

Well it's been several days since I posted anything - we've had some time off and moved a lot, so that, combined with a lack of internet makes it hard.  Monday 13th of May we had our last day in Australia and in Tasmania, the 14th we had a very long day flying to Christchurch, New Zealand, spent the 15th in Christchurch and Hanmer Springs, and on the 16th, took a very long bus ride from Hanmer Springs up the northern end of the southern island of New Zealand to Nelson.  So that's the short version and we haven't done a great deal in regards to fire in that time, just a few things.

Our last day in Tasmania was one of the best, I think everyone would agree.  We spent the morning in a

Andrew, the Brigade Commander
during the Dunalley Fire

The area outlined in black
is what burned.

town called Dunalley where there was a devastating fire January 4, 2013. Dunalley is on a small peninsula, easily cut off from the mainland and any assistance. That day, as predicted, they had extreme fire weather and the fire that began burned 60,000 hectares and they lost 230 homes. There were no fatalities. We had a briefing on what that day was like from the commander of the rural fire brigade for the area, Andrew ,with some very telling videos and pictures. What was interesting was his belief that it was the "leaders intent" or priorities laid out after the 2009 fires in Victoria, that helped him stay focused.  Those priorities were, in order: issue warnings, protect vulnerable
people, protect valuable community assets, stop building to building ignitions, protect other community assets, focus on firefighting once conditions moderate. Fighting the fire itself was very last in a long line of things to do which helped him let go of the feeling he should be trying to fight the fire and simply try to get people to safety. All in all an interesting approach and opportunity for us all to think about our priorities & objectives during a fire.

Port Arthur Prison

That was the end of our work day and the Tasmanian hosts made sure we had a wonderful last day.  We went to Port Arthur where we were treated to a guided tour of the ruins of a famous prison.  Port Arthur was where the English sent prisoners and for some time, was the most advanced working prison ever.  It was there that the idea you could rehabilitate a criminal was first thought of and is the model for the prison reform that

The English Gardens on the prison grounds

took place in the United States. The warden felt if you gave prisoners rewards for good behavior like less onerous work, and provided the opportunity for education and learning a trade, they could be sent out into the world to become good citizens.  As we have learned, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but for awhile the prison worked so well it not only supported itself, but made a profit via very productive hard working inmates.  Any way, a very interesting tour followed by  a great lunch at the visitor's center.

After lunch we made a quick stop at the Tasmanian Devil Preservation Project.  Its difficult to see these animals in the wild since they are nocturnal, so we stopped to see them here.  We got there about feeding time and, well, if you don't want to see wild animals tearing meat apart don't watch the video!  What's interesting is they seem to have contracted a facial cancer that has affected the entire population. It doesn't affect humans but does shorten the devil"s life span, but not till after they breed, spreading the cancer gene.  Some populations free of the cancer have been sent to other countries to try & breed some without the cancer gene.  Also at the preserve were kangaroos which we had seen in the wild but not close enough for a good look.  So we were able to get some pictures.

The Candlestick

After the animal stop, we headed to a dock where we were treated to a Tasman Island boat tour.  I cannot even begin to describe how awesome this trip was, only to say, anytime you get in a 25 person rubber boat where you have to wear a large waterproof poncho and a seat belt, you are in for a treat!  We spent a couple hours pounding through the Southern Ocean and Tasman Sea (next
stop New Zealand!) getting up close a personal with amazing rock formations that jutted hundreds of meters into the sky and seeing Australian fur seals and another kind of fur seal, sunning themselves on the rocks and playing in the water! Several passes by an enormous male albatross, the "bull", and watching the huge Sea Eagle do some fishing, all on  a beautiful sunny day - well it could not have been better. The photos here will hopefully give you a glimpse, but there are more in the dropbox. The worst part was saying goodbye to our wonderful Australian host Andrew Graystone who had been with us since we arrived.