Old pulp mill site at Port Huon

Old pulp mill site at Port Huon

Just before you reach Geeveston, heading south on the Huon Highway, there is a left turn down a road that for the first few years that we lived here, was blocked by a barbed wire gate. We wondered what was down there. Then a short 1960s era promotional (propaganda?) film shown one night before the monthly Classic Movie in the Franklin Palais explained it all... the site used to be a pulp mill run by Australian Paper Manufacturers (APM) and a deep water port used to ship wood pulp to Sydney. Built in 1962, at its peak the mill employed 170 people, but it was never a financial success and it finally closed for good in 1991. See this paper by Huon Valley local John Young for more information.

Recently, we noticed that the gate has been open, and on a Saturday pilgrimage to Geeveston for sushi from Masaaki a couple of weeks ago, we drove in for a look. There is stuff piled around everywhere. By stuff, I mean huge chains, cement anchors, fishing nets and ropes, vats, pipes, platforms... just random aquaculture and other industrial bits and pieces. But the quantity of it just lying around is quite amazing. Plus a large abandoned building. The site is currently used by local firm Mitchell Plastic Welding.

Also on the site are remains of the Kermandie Experimental Pulp and Paper Mill that operated from 1927-30. Last year, the Geeveston Archives and History Society opened the site to the public. There is a very informative sign explaining what used to be there and tours can be arranged.

Old pulp mill site at Port Huon

Hiking in the Huon

Hiking in the Huon

I finally managed to pick up a copy of this lovely little book called Family Bushwalks in Tasmanias Huon Valley. I knew of it because it contains a description of a walk that can be done from our place to the Old Mill, which I stumbled across on a web site while researching our move to Franklin. The book was published 20-odd years ago now and contains a good list of walks in the area as well as basic information about bushwalking in Tasmania, photos, drawings and poems as well.

Despite several attempts, we didnt actually manage to find the Old Mill hidden up in the forestry area until a friend showed us. This was because the "New Road" described in the book was no longer in the same place - forestry roads tend to shift, appear and disappear over the years. However, this morning while out for a run in the semi-dark (daylight saving ends this weekend), I discovered that there is once again a road or forestry spur leading to the Old Mill! The overgrown, wet path lined with man ferns and young myrtle beech trees has been cleared and fresh gravel laid. I feel kind of sad, as it was a pretty section of the walk, but if the nasty gorse patch and the spot strewn with beer cans are gone, it might be a good thing.


Hiking in the Huon

Dog squad on duty at Taste of the Huon

Dog squad on duty at Taste of the Huon

This year, members of the Huon Valley Dog Walking Association volunteered at the Taste of the Huon for the first time. Dogs are not permitted at the festival, for hygiene reasons it says on the signs at the ticket booths. In previous years there were a few dogs left in hot cars who needed to be broken out by police, perhaps by people who didnt know about the no dogs policy until they got there. So this year we offered to patrol the car parking areas for any dogs in distress. Im happy to report that there were no such issues this year, although this lovely girl was chained to a fence all day Sunday and we kept returning to disentangle her leg from her chain and make sure she had water.

On Monday afternoon, our group was on the clean team, making sure the tables were clean, rubbish was in the bins and the bins were emptied promptly. It was a fun day actually and good exercise! The organisers did a great job and the festival was very busy, with lovely weather, great food and drink and entertainment drawing a record-breaking crowd of 14,000 people on Sunday and almost as many on Monday. On Sunday, David and I got there in time to have lunch. My oysters from Bruny Island, beef pie from Geeveston, Inn Cider from Margate and salted caramel ice cream sandwich were delicious.

Dog squad on duty at Taste of the Huon

Huon Valley business in the spotlight

Huon Valley business in the spotlight

Theres one month from today left to enter your business - or nominate a business or vote for your favourite - in the Huon Valley Business Awards.

Businesses can enter various award categories, including:

• Best home based business
• Best hospitality, Tourism, Events & Entertainment
• Best online/web business
• Best retail
• Best professional services
• Best new business startup
• Best social media

The awards will be announced at a special dinner to be held in the Palais Theatre in Franklin on 13 September. It promises to be a great celebration of the hard work and success of local business people and the products and services they provide right here on our doorstep. Entries close 16 August. For details, visit the web site.


Huon Valley business in the spotlight