Solstice in the bush at night
Get Outside Fire Event
Most Tasmanians are use to having a bonfire and celebrating the end to long night of winter with a bonfire. Imagine, you are new to Tasmania, new to the southern hemisphere, and new to living at 42 degrees south where the nights in winter are long. You wonder where all the people have gone.
35 people gathered for the inaugural Get Outside Solstice Celebration at Waterworks Reserve on Friday 21st June. A mini bus ferried people from Glenorchy and Hobart City Council put on a fire and spotlight event to enjoy. Marshmallows and hot chocolates greeted the cold adventures after a spotlighting walk. People were from China, Korea, India, Pakistan, Nepal, South Africa and Tasmania.
” This is the first time I have seen a possum” said Erin of Korea. ” I have never seen so many stars – they are so beautiful” said a a woman recently migrated from China.
For some most people it was the first time they had experienced a social occasion at night, in the bush. ” It is so nice to be outside with people in the middle of winter” said a grandmother from Nepal ” I love the fire” she said.
Thanks to Rob from Hobart City Council and to the local waterworks Landcare group for your friendship and to the Get Outside volunteers who helped out on the night.