Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I wish to bring to members' attention the achievements of Tasmanians who reside and work in two Tasmanian coastal towns. 

I know many members have been to Stanley and appreciate the charm of this town that has managed to preserve much of its heritage, as well as provide visitor and local experiences that are second to none.  Recent visitors to Stanley, especially those who enjoy a whiskey, will no doubt be aware of the opening of a new small business called The Angel's Share which is a Tasmanian spirits tasting house based in one of the town's oldest heritage buildings, the old bank building.  The whiskey is stored, rightly, in the bank vault, as there is much in the range that is rare and highly valued.  The name, The Angel's Share, originates from the 2 per cent or so of the whiskey that evaporates during the barrel‑ageing process and is the share of the whiskey given to the angels.

Since it began last year, owners Louise Payne and Sam Humphries have been very busy showcasing and providing whiskey tastings and offering a range of high quality Tasmanian produce.  The Angel's Share showcases and promotes Tasmanian craft wine, beer and liquor products.  Some of the whiskey on offer is highly valued and they have taken out incredible international awards. 

Tim Duckett of Tasmanian Heartwood Malt Whisky should be mentioned, as he recently won the Wizards of Whisky World Independent Bottler of the Year 2015 award.  This is the first time the award has gone outside of England.  Likewise, Nant Whisky, based in Bothwell, took out a World Spirit Award gold medal for its 43 per cent single malt whisky matured in American oak sherry wood, while a silver medal went to the whisky matured in French oak pinot noir casks.  Lark Distillery also recently cleaned up at the World Whisky Awards, walking away with the Craft Distiller of the Year and was named Australia's best single malt whisky for a third consecutive year.

Stanley and The Angel's Share are playing an important role in promoting some of the state's best produce and whiskies.

At the time this new business was taking off, another from Stanley decided to leave and head to the east coast.  Owners of the Old Cable Station in Stanley, Don Monk and Charlotte Brown, decided to seek out new opportunities and move to the state's east coast, teaming up with Spring Vale Vineyard to produce a culinary delight, matched to amazing east coast wines.

Cable Station Restaurant is another amazing example of a company showcasing local produce in a masterful and elegant way.  Some of you may have tried their cuisines at festivals such as the Taste or Festivale, and others may have participated in one of their exclusive and luxurious seasonal produce lunches or dinners in Stanley.

I also acknowledge that not far from where Don and Charlotte established themselves, the Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club has also made it on the national stage.  The Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club needed new club rooms and when they learned that a new club was too expensive to build, an old toilet block was transformed into a fascinating boatshed, providing a home for the new, but growing, surf club.

The Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club club rooms have recently taken out the Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture, one of the highest honours of the 2014 Australian Institute of Architects national architecture awards.  Publicity surrounding the event noted that the 2014 awards were dominated by projects that served or benefited the wider community.  This is clearly demonstrated in this case.  The new surf club building was built by Birrelli Art + Design + Architecture.  Jack Birrell, the architect behind this design, is also a member of the Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club and has been intimately involved in not only the design, but also the building of the surf club.  He said the design was inspired by the cray pots the town's fishermen have used in the past.

Some members may have seen the surf club by now.  It is a minimalist looking boathouse overlooking Redbill Beach, the main beach in Bicheno - built of untreated slatted wood façade, steel and masonry.  It resembles a wooden pallet or even a cray pot, and at night the building glows with a background illumination between the slats.  The jury chair, Paul Birkmeyer, noted that the building was essentially transforming a very horrible 1960s toilet block on the edge of town, sitting on the beach, to a unique and beautiful timber structure that has become a meeting place for the little fishing village, and shows real intelligence in solving a problem, but then creating much more.

The building has generated community pride, and the community uses it regularly.  It was built with a very limited budget and saw great collaboration between local and community members, the surf club and the local council, with much of the work provided pro bono.  Jack Birrell and his brother, James, have also been involved in the Bicheno Triangle project that aims to encourage people to stop in the town and enjoy what Bicheno has to offer.  Again, wonderful architectural design has been used to propose a visually appealing, flexible and functional open space, with safer pedestrian access across the Tasman Highway.

I understand the Bicheno Development Association Inc. has undertaken significant community consultation that has resulted in a number of further improvements to the concept and design.  They are hoping to attract some funding support from a range of sources, including state and local government, to progress this exciting project.

It is clear that even small projects with very limited and meagre budgets have the potential to be - and in this case are - architectural masterpieces and recognised nationally as such.

I believe it is important to acknowledge these many great achievements in Tasmania, and in the case of those I have mentioned I wish them all the very best in the years ahead.