Kettering, Tasmania
Encyclopedia
Kettering is a coastal town on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel
. Kettering (37 km south of Hobart
) and Woodbridge
nestle into the coast on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel opposite Bruny Island - two tiny settlements gazing across the narrow channel at the island's low lying hills. At the 2006 census
, Kettering had a population of 392.
It was just north of Kettering in Oyster Cove that the last Tasmanian Aboriginal settlement was established in 1847. Aborigines from all over Van Diemen's Land
had been rounded up some years earlier and isolated on Flinders Island
. In 1847 the remnants, now only 44 people, were taken to a reserve at Oyster Cove. By 1855 there were only 16 people left and by 1869 only Truganini
remained. She died in 1876 but it was not until 1976 that her ashes were thrown to the winds on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
These tiny settlements are now the focus of marine activities.
Kettering is the centre for fishing in the region. It has two major marinas, South Haven Marina and Oyster Cove Marina, as well as many smaller, privately owned jetties. Approximately 400 boats are located in Kettering whether on moorings or in marinas.
The Bruny Island Ferry
, Mirambeena, runs from Kettering numerous times a day.
Kettering has a thriving community involved in many artistic pursuits. There are many artists and crafts people living in Kettering and the Southern Channel. 2008 saw a local production of Under Milk Wood, presented as a radio play in the local Community Hall which was very successful. It also was at the centre of the Art Trail an event which included 3 exhibitions and 9 artists' studios opened to the public. The local Kettering Music Group have been organising 2 or 3 Chamber Music concerts Music concerts and a Jazz concert in July Jazz concert since 2004. The next Art Trail is planned for August 2010.
The Kettering Community Association (Inc.) is actively involved in a variety of community projects including the establishment of a community website.
D'Entrecasteaux Channel
The D'Entrecasteaux Channel is a region of water between Bruny Island and the south-east of the mainland of Tasmania. It extends between the estuaries of the Derwent, and the Huon Rivers...
. Kettering (37 km south of Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
) and Woodbridge
Woodbridge, Tasmania
Woodbridge is a town in southern Tasmania, Australia. The town is located south of the state capital, Hobart. At the 2006 census, Woodbridge had a population of 271.-External links:*...
nestle into the coast on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel opposite Bruny Island - two tiny settlements gazing across the narrow channel at the island's low lying hills. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Kettering had a population of 392.
History
The area was first explored by Bruni D'Entrecasteaux in 1792 and was settled in the early 19th century by timber cutters, whalers and sealers. Life was hard and the people who lived in the area rarely settled for long preferring the life in Hobart Town to the whaling stations and logging camps.It was just north of Kettering in Oyster Cove that the last Tasmanian Aboriginal settlement was established in 1847. Aborigines from all over Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
had been rounded up some years earlier and isolated on Flinders Island
Flinders Island
Flinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...
. In 1847 the remnants, now only 44 people, were taken to a reserve at Oyster Cove. By 1855 there were only 16 people left and by 1869 only Truganini
Truganini
Trugernanner , often referred to as Truganini, was a woman widely considered to be the last "full blood" Palawa ....
remained. She died in 1876 but it was not until 1976 that her ashes were thrown to the winds on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
Geography and Environment
The Kettering region, although sheltered by Bruny Island is increasingly subject to foreshore erosion, communities in some areas have decided to sandbag sections of coast to reduce the effects.Today
Today the area is noted for its orchards (apples, cherries, pears) and Kettering has become an important service centre for the local farmers. Like so much of the area south of Hobart, both towns have become centres for commuters and alternative lifestyle dwellers who find the peacefulness suits them.These tiny settlements are now the focus of marine activities.
Kettering is the centre for fishing in the region. It has two major marinas, South Haven Marina and Oyster Cove Marina, as well as many smaller, privately owned jetties. Approximately 400 boats are located in Kettering whether on moorings or in marinas.
The Bruny Island Ferry
Bruny Island Ferry
The Bruny Island Ferry links Bruny Island to the Tasmanian mainland. Operated by North Western Shipping and Towage Co. Pty Ltd and owned by the Tasmanian Government, the ferry Mirambeena travels between Kettering on the Tasmanian mainland and Roberts Point on Bruny Island...
, Mirambeena, runs from Kettering numerous times a day.
Kettering has a thriving community involved in many artistic pursuits. There are many artists and crafts people living in Kettering and the Southern Channel. 2008 saw a local production of Under Milk Wood, presented as a radio play in the local Community Hall which was very successful. It also was at the centre of the Art Trail an event which included 3 exhibitions and 9 artists' studios opened to the public. The local Kettering Music Group have been organising 2 or 3 Chamber Music concerts Music concerts and a Jazz concert in July Jazz concert since 2004. The next Art Trail is planned for August 2010.
The Kettering Community Association (Inc.) is actively involved in a variety of community projects including the establishment of a community website.
Features and services
- General supplies are available at Kettering Central and the Kettering Service Station on the Channel Highway and also at the Ferry Road Store.
- The Oyster Cove Inn is a mansion built in the 1930s. A major refurbishment undertaken in 2009 has restored it to its original glory. The Inn sits at the head of Little Oyster Cove and has superb views over Oyster Cove Marina to the bay and Bruny Island.
- The Kettering Oval is used throughout the summer mainly for CricketCricketCricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
but also for events such as The Taste of the Huon which showcases some of the Channel and Huon ValleyHuon ValleyThe Huon Valley Council is a Local Government Area of Tasmania. It is the southern-most local government area in Australia.It encompasses the town of Huonville, on the Huon River, some surrounding towns, and many protected areas and forestry plantations...
's finest food and wine. - Kettering has a post officePost officeA post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
owned by Australia PostAustralia PostAustralia Post is the trading name of the Australian Government-owned Australian Postal Corporation .-History:...
and run locally as part of the Kettering Central general store. - Kettering has two cafés, the Mermaid Café situated next to the Bruny Island Ferry Terminal and the Rosie's Café which specialises in home made gluten free breads and cakes. The Oyster Cove Inn has a restaurant and also offers bar meals. Takeaway foods are available at the Ferry Road Store and excellent coffee at Coffee a Go Go located next to the service station on the Channel Highway.
- Kettering has a well-appointed Community Hall with excellent acoustics, suited for meetings, concerts, theatre and exhibitions. It has a badminton court and local enthusiasts play weekly.