Lydia - Taiko Drumming

18 months ago Lydia gave into the pier pressure of her friends and partner and attended a complimentary training session with the TASMANIA UNIVERSITY UNION TAIKO SOCIETY. It must have been a good session, Lydia is now a regular performer and committee member of the society. A society she admits fits the cliche of a large family.

In that short time performing, highlights include the Cygnet Folk Festival, and the Falls Festival. Obviously no job too big or too small. I personally came across Lydia and the group performing as pre game entertainment for the State League netball grand final,  in the past the society has also performed on Australia's Got Talent.

In Hobart the groups 40-60 members train on regular days at the Royal Hobart Showgrounds, more information can be found here. With levels of beginner through to advanced to suit every level, and what ever your commitment, from casual fun to fitness (I was almost scared seeing the core strength needed for one particular part)





Lydia now juggles her Taiko training with her studies of medicine and surgery! Now training with advanced group and looking to challenge her self with improvement on technique and repertoire and develop her on-stage presence.

Anyone interested in checking it out please check out the links above, new members are always welcome!

Laura - Figure Skating

We may live in the coldest state of the country, but it certainly doesnt mean a sport like ice/figure skating is a big past time. 













With only a single venue to skate at, and having to share with the general public it is and probably will remain one of the least populated sports on offer.  But that doesnt mean much to those already involved in the sport. The commitment and passion is very evident to any outsider looking in.  With early starts for training, costume preparation and of course dealing with the cold all just part of the sport. I have been lucky enough to photograph a number of competitions over the last couple years, and can gladly say I was surprised at the level of competition our small state puts forward.

One of those athletes that I have witnessed skate on each occasion has been Laura, in fact also her sister and her mother.

Skating for 6 years now after being taken to the rink by her grand father, Laura has been a regular podium contender in local competitions, and has also competed interstate in both Melbourne and Sydney, something she intends to continue with in the future.
Titles and awards not the primary motivation in the sport. Laura's current goals simply to continue to compete and to land her first double jump.
Long term goal however a little more ambitious with plans to become a competition judge.
For more information about figure skating in Tasmania please email

Dee - Musician

Just to show its not all about sport, here is the first in a series of musicians to be recognised.

Who else can list the flugelhorn as one of their favourites? Who even knows that it is?  Dee Boyd certainly can say yes to both questions. And is on the list of brass instruments she is more than proficient in!





























Dee is currently in Germany, not on a holiday/gap year etc etc like most young Australians, but looking to achieve her short term goal of studying music in Europe. Adding to an already impressive list of credentials.  Bmus (Performance) - QLD Conservatorium, Amus, Post Grad Dip. Professional Music Practice, Grad Cert Music, Grad Dip Music, Bmus (Honours) - UTAS Conservatorium.
This would then help achieve a long term goal of snagging a spot in an orchestra and playing in chamber groups.

I was lucky enough to be able to photograph Dee just weeks before she left for her Europe adventure. And was the reason I decided that I would extend my idea for this blog to go further than just sport. I guess brass instruments must be the cycling, orienteering and triathlon of the music field,  not gaining the recognition of the singers and rock stars that are on our screens and radios.

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 My inspiration would have to be all kinds of music, not just classical!
I love jazz music and have always been a fan of Louis Armstrong
and of course our James Morrison!
My other inspirations are groups like Mnozil Brass and
also my teachers and Colleagues."

I wish Dee all the best in her endeavours abroad.

Scott B - Cycling

2011/12 Season
-1st in age category @ Blue Dragon MTB Challenge
-6th National MTB Round u/19, Mt Buller XCO
-3rd National MTB Round u/19, Mt Buller Point to Point
-6th National MTB Champs u/19, Adelaide XCO
-6th National MTB Champs u/19, Adelaide XCC
-Dirt Devils u/19 Club Champion
-Mt Wellington Challenge u/19 winner, 57:55min
-Australian Junior Hill Climbing Championships, Mt Buffalo ITT 16th
-Australian Junior Hill Climbing Championships, Mt Buffalo RR 15th

BMX State Champion - TWICE
2009 Cross Country Running State Champion
2009 State Triathlon Representative - 19th at Nationals

Not a bad list for any athlete.
But Scott is only 17 and still studying in year 12.

A mix of accomplishments in running, BMX and triathlon when younger, Scott has only begun to concentrate solely on cycling in the last 12 months thanks to a number of injuries sustained through athletics. What was always a strong interest thanks to a push from a couple of teachers has now possibly got the chance of becoming a promising career.

At least that is one of his ambitions,  pro-cycling in Europe, on or off road. No need to limit yourself to one.
If that doesnt work out, maybe go with the back up plan in a health science discipline, such as medicine or physio!!! Nothing wrong with aiming high. And I have a pretty good feeling the choices will be his when the time comes.  If you were hoping he had a flaw like arrogance or a horrible personality to offset his natural abilities, sorry you are out of luck there too. One of my first chats with Scott being a ride where he was more than accomodating in slowing down and towing me to town. A tough ride for me but not even enough to get him warmed up.





Fellow Australian riders Andy Blair, Josh Carlson, and Tasmanians Sid Taberlay and Cameron Wurf, are up there with the big hitters on the international scene as his inspirations and idols. "cool how Tassie has produced so many top cyclists and having the opportunity to train and race with them when they are home is pretty inspiring" 












Coach Dion Shaw,  and sponsor 4Shaw Agencies have helped dramatically in getting Scott to where he is today, with "his on going commitment in helping me out in any way possible" Please check out their link above. Anybody supporting Tasmania's youth like this deserves our support too.

Shannan - Motocross

Fractured collarbone, foot and femur, torn ligaments, multiple bouts of concussion and abrasions, and the scars to show for these injuries are all part of the heavy cost of the sport of motocross/grass track motor cycle racing. Not a surprising or even large list of injuries for such a dangerous sport, but for an 18 year old female it becomes a little more impressive.

Shannan Logan is one of Tasmania’s leading female motocross riders over the last few years, and when not forced to just watch due to injury is still improving and making her own name for herself in one of the states less populated sports, with numbers only in the 20’s for females. Idolising fellow female riders Ashely Fiolek (http://ashleyfiolek.com/) who has the added issue to deal with of being deaf and Meghan Rutledge, Shannon wants to show how well the girls can ride and encourage more into the sport. More girls racing creates more competition and better riders. Local Tasmanian riders Danny Young and Tommy Jones also make it onto the list of riders she admires.

Although off to a rocky start to the season with a ride in the back of an ambulance, the strengthening desire to win, and a new bike with the help of Total Motorcycles and mentor Dale Free, Shannan is hoping for some bigger results this season. Shannan stating categorically, that she wouldn’t be where she is without Dale’s selfless assistance and also that of her close friends and family.

First getting on a bike at the age of 5 it was never a serious past time until the age of 16 and now it’s a massive part of her life. The adrenalin rush, the anger release, the feeling of accomplishment and the close knit community of racers in Tasmania, why wouldn’t you want to be a part of it? But unfortunately like a lot of smaller sports in the state, the lack of media attention is preventing its growth.

New beginings

Its time to show off some of Tasmania's up and coming talent,  sport, music or any other form.
My name is Andrew Im a local photographer with a passion for writing also.  So I am combining the two to create hopefully a new article each week on a different talented Tasmanian.
Do you think you know someone or a sport that needs some coverage,  please email me
andrew@andrewzphotoz.com 
please share and follow this blog.