“Which was the next settlement after Sydney (New South Wales)?"
Depending on which resource you read, Tasmania’s current population sits around the 530,000 mark, with, according to the 2016 Census, just on 70% of the Tasmanian population stating that both parents were born in Australia, whilst the number Australia-wide is around 47%.
Heritage and History runs deep in Tassie with settlement taking place on the banks of the Derwent, and what is now Hobart, in 1803 under the command of Lt. John Bowen.
However, this is not quite so common knowledge for the rest of Australia. The one question I ask Mainland friends and family is, “Which was the next settlement after Sydney (New South Wales)?”
There is usually a moment’s silence then the most common answer is, “Melbourne?!” with that hint of “am I right?” inflection.
Then there is the unsurprising response of “Really?!” when the answer of Hobart is shared.
Yet despite that lack of basic historical knowledge and the fact that the majority of the Tasmanian population identify as ‘locals’, and are rightfully proud of it, there is a growing number of ‘Mainlanders’ and to a lesser extent people from other countries who are embracing the beauty and heritage of the ‘Isle’, as well as the culture and friendliness of the locals.
Everyday I speak with Mainlanders who have seen the light, and are making plans to move to Tasmania, especially to the North and North West of the State.
This appears to be part of a trend Australia-wide for people to migrate from the cities (especially Sydney and Melbourne) to less ‘frenzied’ regional areas – especially since the return to property price growth in the major Eastern Cities.
This article from Kirsten Craze highlights the trend.
However, low stock levels (number of homes/properties being offered for sale) is probably inhibiting the numbers crossing The Strait permanently to some degree.
So, with new residents to Tasmania generally on the increase, would you say it is a form of invasion or welcomed and orderly migration we are experiencing?
This article from .id (Population Experts) shows that Tasmania’s population has grown 1.1% in the last two years, outstripping WA and SA, but still below the national growth average of 1.5%. But for a State with a small population – the numbers are significant.
Chatting with locals has revealed a favourable response to the flow of new arrivals, but could that bring about change that some people are not necessarily excited by?
The general thinking of new arrivals is – “How good is this! Don’t tell anyone else!” (Snigger).
Whilst the ‘When in Rome…’ adage is advisable for any newcomer, there is the inevitable sharing of new ideas, slightly different ways of thinking and doing things that complement existing communities and help them grow and thrive, but may not be so welcomed by those who want things left the way they are.
Even slow, meaningful change can be hard for some people to grasp. However, from my experience those ‘fresh of the boaters’ are coming here to embrace the beauty and lifestyle that generations of Tassie locals have enjoyed.
The general thinking of new arrivals is – “How good is this! Don’t tell anyone else!” (Snigger).
But it might be too late – I have to go, a NSW number is calling my phone.
They’re coming, and for all the RIGHT reasons.
