User Profile

James
Dryburgh

A publisher once told James that when he is asked for his bio, he should say: “James writes subversive essays about important things.” James felt a bit awkward about saying this publically, but secretly he liked it. He has written for many publications. His books are Essays from Near and Far, Walleah Press, 2014 and The Balfour Correspondent, Bob Brown Foundation, 2017.

History

People and place

by James Dryburgh

22 Jul 2021

Brighton Army Camp has a history of adaptation to serve the shifting demands of the many communities it has welcomed, each a chapter in its story. Brighton Council recently took possession of the land with a vision for conservation and public use in keeping with its history.

Epicure

Up to the cask

by James Dryburgh

12 Jul 2021

Adam Bone was a stonemason in 1997 when he began learning the art, at a small cooperage in the Huon Valley, of making the perfect cask. Eventually, he decided to buy the business, figuring if he could complete two or three casks a week he would be...

History

A tale of two islands

by James Dryburgh

28 Jun 2021

Between 1805 and 1808, most of the population of Norfolk Island relocated to Van Diemen’s Land. More than 700 people arrived, suddenly representing more than 20 per cent of the European population and starting a profound relationship between Van Diemen’s Land and Norfolk Island that would see humans transported back and forth for the next five decades. Imagine Tasmania receiving an influx of people equivalent to 20 per cent of its existing population today. That would be 100,000 people. In such numbers the migrants would be capable of huge influence over the future of Tasmania. The Norfolk Islanders who came early in the 19th century did play a major role in creating the Tasmania we know today.

Epicure

Spirits of the past

by James Dryburgh

17 Jun 2021

Some years ago I was working as a town planner for Hobart City Council when I had to visit a house in New Town to inspect the site of an extension. When I arrived at the house a friendly lady called Madeleine led me straight to a shed out the back and started showing me around a rather impressive backyard distillery that was producing single malt whisky. I thought this was all a bit odd. It turned out she thought I was an environmental health officer and had given me the wrong tour.