Event Type: Australian Wooden Boat Festival

Saturday 11 February 2023, 10:00am – 11:00am
Duration : 60 Minutes | No Interval

Join women sailors from WWSA — Women Who Sail Australia — for a fun and informative hour sharing practical knowledge, stories, and friendship about sailing.

If you’re already a member of WWSA you will know how inclusive and supportive this group is … if you’re not a member yet come along to learn about our great group.

WWSA is a mix of skippers, cruisers, racers, and women just starting out enjoying wooden boats as well as modern production boats. Two accomplished Tasmanian skippers will share some of their tips and experiences on the day. They will also share some of the special places here in Tasmania to take your boat, accompanied by lots of great photos. 

In addition, there will be hands-on advice and demonstrations of rope handling and shorthanded berthing.

Artists across Tasmania present their own interpretation of the broad theme of water in any medium.

As an island we are surrounded by water so there is ample opportunity to capture its mood and beauty.

The Water Ways exhibition has artwork across all styles and media including painting, sculptures and photography. The works range from representational and abstraction to environmental commentary.

Art is for everyone.  All artists create in an individual way and viewers will connect with a work for a very personal reason. Reflecting this unique but valid bond the major prize of $2000 will be decided not by judges, but by people’s choice vote. We invite visitors to engage with the art by voting for their favourite art work.

Prominent members of our community are asked to select their favourite artwork and give a reason for their choice. The diversity of choices is interesting to see.

Friday 10 February 2023, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Saturday 11 February 2023, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Doors Open 15 minutes prior to performance
Duration : 60 Minutes | No Interval

A Sea Voyage | A Tragedy | A Love Story

Michael Veitch (of The Full Monty, D-Generation and Fast Forward fame) plays the hero of one of the most dramatic, yet now forgotten, true chapters from Australia’s maritime history. Based on Michael’s book of the same name, Hell Ship is a tale of hardship and heroism; of survival and love; of disaster and redemption. 

In the spring of 1852, the magnificent sailing ship Ticonderoga set course from Liverpool to Victoria filled with mainly Scots Highlander families, all hoping to find a new life in a new land. However, on the voyage, disaster struck when a deadly typhus epidemic erupted throughout her decks, taking scores of her passengers. On the high seas, an epic struggle of life and death played out. 

Michael is accompanied live on stage by the exquisite musical talents of Tom Veitch, his talented cellist and composer son. 

This is an hour of drama and music not to be missed. 

“…a stylish, well-produced solo show; a lively and meticulously researched act of historical imagination” 
– Cameron Woodhead