THOUSANDS of Tasmanians have attended Anzac Day Dawn Service commemorations this morning.
The chilly weather failed to deter the crowds as they gathered to remember the sacrifices of those who served in the country's armed forces.
Anzac Day 2013
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MORE TO COME...
FORMER premier David Bartlett is keeping his old department close with the State Government being used as guinea pigs for a new IT initiative by his company.
Asdeqlabs, the company Mr Bartlett joined as chairman in 2011 after stepping down as Premier, is trialling new software aimed at keeping government documents safe.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet have jumped on board the new initiative.
The AsdeqDocs software is aimed at helping government employees use tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices without compromising the security of sensitive documents.
Government spokesman Michael Stedman said the trial was agreed to prior to a COAG meeting in July 2012 with the official trial beginning during the middle of last year.
"Asdeqlabs has not been formally engaged by the Tasmanian Government," Mr Stedman said.
"However, DPAC is conducting a free trial of software that Asdeqlabs are developing which provides secure delivery of corporate data to mobile devices.
"This is an obligation-free trial and if it is determined that this kind of service is required in the future it will be subject to the standard competitive tender process."
TasICT executive officer Dean Winter said any time the State Government could use the ICT sector to increase productivity would benefit taxpayers.
"Asdeqlabs is just one of many Tasmanian ICT firms creating and implementing innovative software solutions on a worldwide scale," he said.
"Tablets have been hugely successful since the first iPad was released, but haven't been fully embraced by business or government. Asdeqlabs is trying to change that.
"With the full NBN rollout not far away, we're going to see even more technology solutions being trialled in Tasmania.
"It makes a lot of sense for Tasmanian Government departments to be involved in that.
"I hope the trial is successful and leads to ongoing engagement between the Government and the sector."
matthew.smith@news.com.au
A MAN has died after becoming trapped under steel plating at an industrial site in Bell Bay Rd, Bell Bay.
The Tasmania Fire Service referred the incident to Tasmania Police at 2.28pm.
Workplace Standards are investigating.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Read more in tomorrow's Mercury.
This Woodbridge home suffered extensive damage in a fire earlier today. Pictures: LUKE BOWDEN
THE elderly owner of Woodbridge home gutted by fire this morning tried to fight the blaze before emergency crews arrived.
Gerard Moon, aged in his 80s, was at his home in Llantwit Rd when the fire broke out just before 10.30am.
Seven fire crews were dispatched to the address but it was too late to save the property from substantial damage.
The family, well-known in the local area, had rallied around Mr Moon, his son Michael said.
"Everyone's fine and it's a close knit family and area, so we'll be OK," he said.
Fire investigators remained onsite tonight, working to determine the cause of the fire.
The Tasmania Fire Service says the blaze destroyed at least a third of the large weatherboard home, with damage estimated at about $400,000.
Michael Moon said his father had been fighting the fire when TFS crews arrived.
He was examined at the scene for smoke inhalation before being given the all-clear.
"We don't know what caused the fire at this stage and we'll have to wait and see," he said.
It was the second major house fire in the state's south this week.
On Monday night, a Sandy Bay rental property occupied by Triple J Unearthed favourite Ben Wells burned down with his band gear inside.
The blaze happened just five days before Wells and his band, the Middle Names, were due to record their debut album.
The cause of that fire remains under investigation.
The TFS has renewed a plea for all Tasmanians to ensure they have working smoke alarms fitted as the state heads into peak house fire season.
The turbines have started turning at the Musselroe Wind Farm. Pictures: ROSS MARSDEN
THE Musselroe Wind Farm has been officially switched on and is now generating power for the state's electricity grid.
The $395 million project consists of 56 turbines, which will be progressively turned on. It will be fully operational by July.
Premier Lara Giddings said it was a "great milestone".
"This has been a huge development which has delivered jobs for Tasmanians, opportunities for local businesses and a significant boost for the North-West economy," she said.
"It builds on Hydro Tasmania's partnership with leading Chinese energy company Shenhua which is securing investment and jobs in our renewable energy sector."
Ms Giddings said more than 200 people had been directly employed on the project during the peak of construction.
Read more in tomorrow's Mercury.
HOBART'S Nyrstar zinc works has been recognised as an Engineering Heritage National Landmark.
Nyrstar Hobart general manager Jeremy Kouw said the award was testament to the hard work, innovation and contribution of the site's employees over its almost 100-year lifespan.
"From its inception in 1916 when Tasmanian industry entrepreneurs identified an opportunity to attract big business to the state with affordable energy through hydro-electric power, to continuous advancements today, we remain Tasmania's largest exporter," Mr Kouw said.
"The plant has produced a number of highly advanced technical metallurgical methods, cementing it as one of the most advanced and reputable in the world, supporting its continued growth from 100 to 800 tonnes per day of high purity zinc metal over the past 96 years of production."
Environment, Parks and Heritage Minister Brian Wightman said Nyrstar has embraced its role as an innovator in engineering.
"Alongside Hydro, the zinc works is one of Tasmania's great industrial heritage stories," Mr Wightman said.
"The electrolytic zinc works, established in 1916, changed the face of industrial zinc processing in the southern hemisphere.
"Today, it remains one of the largest and most efficient zinc smelters in the world.
"Tasmania has great natural beauty and a fantastic lifestyle. But we also have an exceptional man-made history to be proud of.
Chrissy Amphlett's hits with the The Divinyls included I Touch Myself and All the Boys in Town.
AUSTRALIAN rock singer Chrissy Amphlett has lost her battle with breast cancer.
Amphlett, aged 53, passed away in her adopted home of New York with husband Charley Drayton.
The singer, who fronted rock band Divinyls, had fought breast cancer as well as suffering from multiple sclerosis.
Her cousin, Patricia "Little Pattie" Thompson and family have released the following statement.
"Our beloved Chrissy peacefully made her transition this morning. Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity. She passed gently, in her sleep, surrounded by close friends and family, including husband of 14 years, musician Charley Drayton, her sister Leigh, nephew Matt, and cousin Patricia Thompson ("Little Pattie").
"Chrissy's light burns so very brightly. Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest. With her force of character and vocal strength, she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women. Best remembered as the lead singer of the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Divinyls, last month she was named one of Australia's top ten singers of all time. Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit I Touch Myself would remind women to perform annual breast examinations. Chrissy was a true pioneer and a treasure to all whose lives her music and spirit touched."
Countdown host Ian "Molly" Meldrum was a friend of Amphlett and husband Drayton.
"It's devastating news," Meldrum said today.
"I absolutely adored her. Right at the start of her career with the Divinyls she also terrified me. I remember going to see them play at the Prince of Wales in Melbourne early on and she looked me straight in the eye and lifted her school dress. We became good friends after that. I was friends with her mother as well. Chrissy was just such a wonderful person and so, so talented. It's incredibly sad news."
Amphlett had declared herself cancer-free two years ago, telling fans "I was given a chance to reflect on my own mortality; given a chance to choose life over the fear of death. Thank you to those who have given their support and love. Now let's celebrate Life!!!!!!"
The singer was diagnosed with MS in 1998 and would appear on stage with a cane. She revealed her battle with MS in 2007, and in 2011 announced she was also fighting breast cancer.
Amphlett was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006 with Divinyls band mate Mark McEntee
Amphlett's battle was documented by Channel 7's Sunday Night program in which she revealed she would be a "warrior" and not a victim.
The Divinyls hits include I Touch Myself, Pleasure and Pain, and Boys in Town.
Tributes have already begun flooding social media networks.
VETERANS, war widows and other service personnel will again ride for free on Metro buses on Anzac Day.
Sustainable Transport Minister Nick McKim said Metro Tasmania had supported April 25 commemorations for many years by providing free bus services.
"Members of the Australian Defence Forces -- the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force -- are entitled to free travel on Anzac Day, provided they are in uniform," he said.
"For veterans and war widows to be eligible for free travel on Metro services, they should: wear their uniform; wear their service medals; wear an ex-service association, returned from active service or war widow's badge; or present their DVA card."
REGIONAL bowls organisations are likely to defy a Bowls Tasmania directive that gender-specific pennant competitions be abolished next season.
The changes will allow men and women to play in any team at any level without being bound by present rules that require them to play bowls on separate days in separate competitions.
Men and women can play together in barefoot and lower-tier competitions, but pennant is men only and women only.
The break from the tradition of men-only and women-only competition has angered many bowlers who want to keep Thursday as ladies' pennant day and Saturday for the men.
Bowls Tasmania South this week told Bowls Tasmania it would not introduce non-gender specific pennants next season.
A Bowls Tasmania South survey found most emembers were against abandoning separate pennants.
Secretary Rob McGuire said almost half the group's 970 players responded to the voluntary survey, indicating great interest in the issue.
Mr McGuire said while he could not rule out members accepting mixed gender pennants in future, the change for next season had been received as a Bowls Tasmania directive and was issued without due consultation.
He said older players were those most against it.
"Generally, older people don't like change and it would be fair to say that there were more older people playing bowls than younger people," he said.
"I believe we cater for all comers in Southern Tasmania by having the women's and men's during the week, the men on Saturday and the mixed competition on Saturday."
North Western Tasmanian Bowls Association secretary Glen Stephens said while the branch was yet to vote on the issue, a members' survey indicated most favoured continuation of gender-specific bowls.
Bowls Tasmania chief executive Maxine Viney said the national push to remove the gender split in pennant competitions was driven by young players.
In Victoria and South Australia, mixed gender pennants are now played after anti-discrimination court cases.
"The younger generation coming into bowls, they don't see the gap between men and women," Ms Viney said.
"As they take a more active role in bowls, they see the advantage of the changes, and ask why do we need to have a separate pennant for men and women?
"Why can't we all play together because it's not a game of physical strength? They are the ones who are pushing it."
Common Ground in Campbell St, Hobart.
TASMANIA'S homelessness services say they are still struggling to meet demand, despite more affordable accommodation being provided and extra effort being made to tackle the problem.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that between the 2006 census and 2011 census, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Tasmania increased from 1145 to 1579.
The majority of homeless Tasmanians live in supported accommodation (480) or are staying temporarily with other households (499).
The remaining are in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out (156), staying in boarding houses (236) or are living in severely crowded dwellings (183).
Shelter Tasmania executive officer Pattie Chugg said the arrival of winter would bring home how many people needed somewhere warm and safe to sleep.
"Homelessness services report there is higher demand for their services than can meet need. There is a real concern for people without a safe and secure home all year round but winter highlights this even more," she said.
While housing stress is still a significant issue, the public housing waiting list in Tasmania is following a downward trend.
The Department of Health and Human Services quarterly performance report for March 2013 shows in the six months to December 31 the number of people housed increased by 6.7 per cent.
It showed that the waiting list at December 31 had decreased 22.8 per cent from the same time last year, to 2163 (2801 at the end of 2011), the decline partly attributed to the addition of 1400 new affordable housing properties.
Category 1 housing applicants, those in greatest need, faced an average wait time of 17 weeks, down from 19 weeks at the end of 2011.
Ms Chugg said a government reform combining public and community housing had helped get people housed.
She said with such strong demand for housing it was surprising that Common Ground mixed housing properties in Hobart were still not fully tenanted.
There are 80 people housed across Common Ground sites in Goulburn and Campbell streets, which provide 97 units between them.
blair.richards@news.com.au
