Rosny Farm turns up a few surprises!
The Convict History of Tasmania Rosny Farm forms part of the convict trail around Hobart, with the site being granted to a first fleet convict during the early 1800′s. With a plot of 175 acres, Richard Morgan and his family grew crops including wheat, barley, beans and potatoes, as well as running pasture for cattle, horses and sheep. You would think that would have been enough to keep them occupied and out of trouble! But judging by the signage at the front gate, Mr Morgan was inclined to continue his criminal ways. He was convicted of operating an illegal slaughter house, as well as having connections to a sheep-stealing outfit. Blimey! Cottage Museum Set within the landscaped gardens of Rosny Farm is the heritage listed farm cottage. Now operating as a museum and open to the public, the Cottage Museum hosts displays of the history and early development of the farm. A lovely building, the museum is surrounded by pretty gardens, a picket fence and is a highlight of the stone-walled farmyard. A great backdrop for a photographer. Schoolhouse Gallery The Schoolhouse is another lovely heritage building – weatherboard with square-paned windows. The only public gallery on the eastern shore of Hobart, the Clarence City Council uses the Rosny Farm Schoolhouse as a venue for art exhibitions and historical displays. There is a calendar of events running throughout the year. We were lucky to encounter the Tasmanian Ceramics Association Annual Exhibition. Entitled Seven Deadly Sins, the display had 60 exhibits ranging in price from $16 to $500. The items were so varied and interesting, but they all looked very special in the unique gallery space. Clarence Street Art and Music Festival Also on the day of our visit, was an exhibition of a very different sort. Highlighting the diversity of events scheduled for Rosny Farm, we ran into the St.Art Festival. Within the setting of a farming history of Tasmania, there were rap musicians performing and graffiti artists spraying paint. The smell of the aerosol paint was quite overwhelming; I’m not sure how street artists cope with their work environment!! The Clarence Council decided a professional exhibition, with competition prize money running to $2,500, would encourage the artists to display their work in a legitimate forum. Combined with the workshops and have-a-go areas, Rosny Farm was transformed into a vibrant and colourful space. The Barn at Rosny Farm The final building at Rosny Farm is probably the most spectacular – the historic barn. Since 2006, when extensive redevelopment work was undertaken, it has been used as a space for the performing arts. Hosting recitals, concerts and lectures, it provides a unique setting that can double for additional exhibition space when required. The Barn Market is also held bi-monthly at the beautiful Rosny Farm. An up-market outlet for local designers and hand-made creators, it is yet another example of the great market-shopping experience on offer in Tasmania. Rosny Farm is open to the public on Tuesday to Friday from 11.00am to 4.00pm, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4.00 pm and is closed between Christmas and New Year. See images from Rosny Farm and read more articles about all things Tasmanian at... www.think-tasmania.com About Author Born and raised in Victoria, Australia but now living in Tasmania, Tania is finally living her dream life. With her husband and two young sons, and a fantastic environment in which to work, the launch of think-tasmania.com has aligned all the stars. Disclaimer: Article submitters are solely responsible for the content of their articles. ArtiLib can't be held liable for the contents of the articles. Report Abuse | Browse By Category |
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