Stateline Tasmania

28/11/2008

Early Learning

The first few years of a child's life are considered the most formative. For Suzanne Purdon, being both a parent and a teacher meant her desire to try and help children get the best start was strong. The teacher recently won the inaugural Tasmanian Early Years Foundation's Inspirational Champion Award for the program she set up at a Southern suburban school. Part of the inspiration for her B4 program was the Reggio Emelia style of teaching which encourages teacher respect for each child, an emphasis on relationships and the importance of art as the medium to represent childrens thinking. Fiona Breen reports

Interview Whales

Last weekend more than 50 long-finned Pilot Whales died after beaching themselves near Stanley. Amidst the heartache eleven survivors were herded back out into Bass Strait. Satellite tracking is following their progress. Airlie Ward spoke to David Pemberton from the Department of Primary Industries and Water about what information had been gathered from the devices.

Bruny Artist

Now to an artist who's never short of inspiration. Michaye Boulter lives and works overlooking Cloudy Bay at the Southern end of Bruny Island. The moody coastline and sprawling beaches are brought to life on canvas in a new collection of work as Annah Yard reports.

Soccer Tasmanian

The State Government's bid for a Tasmanian AFL side has captured a lot of attention in the past year with several major sponsors already committed to the cause. But a rival code's push for a team in the National League is also gaining momentum. The Tasmanian Football Taskforce has raised half the three hundred thousand dollars needed for a feasibility study into getting a licence in Soccer's A-League. Like the AFL bid, the A-League pitch needs Government support so a business case for "Tasmania United" can be put to the national body in April as Fiona Breen reports