Research is fun—Tricia McGill

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My latest book to be released in January is set in Tasmania, or to use the fond name for this delightful island just off the coast of my home state Victoria, The Apple Isle. My hubby and I almost settled there years ago, but it was not to be, for job opportunities for him were scarce there back in the 70s. As luck would have it, I have spent many happy holidays over there and I have a friend of many years who lives there. 

A Troubled Heart is set in the Tasmania of the 1840s (Van Diemen’s Land as it was then), a far different place to that of today. Finn, my hero, spent years in the notorious convict prison at Port Arthur and when driving around this area today it is difficult to believe that such horrible confinement and unthinkable treatment took place there. The Government of the day considered it a perfect setting for a prison as the only road out to gain access to the rest of the island was via Eaglehawk Neck, just 30 metres wide and guarded by armed soldiers rumoured to have half starved dogs with them. Anyone who tried their luck in the sea bypassing this neck would stand a good chance of being eaten by sharks.

Hobart and then Launceston were settled well before it was decided that Melbourne would be a fine place to start another town. In 1835 John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner left Launceston in separate expeditions to launch the first settlement at Port Phillip which developed into Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city.

 

Tasmania, the Apple Isle—Tricia McGill

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This post was supposed to be about Tassie’s past, simply because my next historical will be set there, but it is set in the not so glamorous past when Tasmania’s Port Arthur was a penal settlement and prison. 

However, while looking up just why the wonderful island that I have visited so many times that I have lost count, is called The Apple Isle, I came across this great site that listed many of the island’s awesome facts:

https://www.lifesanadventure.com.au/15-awesome-facts-tasmania 

I am certain they will not mind me borrowing from their information about the place.  It seems that there are two theories on why it’s called the Apple Isle. The first one is its former status as an important apple exporter; however, some say it’s because the island’s shaped like an apple. 

Tasmania isn’t as small as most people think. It’s about the same size as the Republic of Ireland or Sri Lanka, and is situated closer to the equator than Rome or Chicago (mind you it does get chilly down there at times), and is the world’s 26th largest island. Almost half of the state is World Heritage Area, national park, or marine and forest reserves, has water so pure it produces the only bottled rainwater approved by health departments around the world.

Holland actually imports tulips that are grown in Tasmania.

Very interesting fact: Tasmania used to be attached to Victoria via a land bridge until 10,000 years ago when the polar caps melted, making the oceans rise. All that’s left of this land bridge is the Furneaux Group of islands of which Flinders Island is the largest.

Tasmania has some of the world’s most hilarious place names. There’s Eggs and Bacon Bay, Trousers Point, Penguin, Milkshake Hills, Stinkhole, Granny’s Gut, Awesome Wells, Satan’s Lair and Lovely Bottom.

Add to all this you will meet some of the most welcoming and friendly folks. My first visit there was soon after I arrived in Australia many moons ago. I travelled with my friend who was born there and has since resettled there. We would stay with her mother who used to take us on hilarious outings where we walked for miles to find a river where she would likely catch fish. I cannot recall her catching anything, but we did see a pair of platypus swimming by. Her picnics were like no other experienced before or since. And I also saw a ghost in a tiny cottage where we stayed onone visit to the west coast.

Most international visitors seem to head north when they travel to Australia, but Tassie has plenty to offer in my humble opinion, but perhaps I am biased. Now I really should get back to my research on Tasmania’s past. 

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