Our excitement has been building these past few weeks as we’ve packed up our lives in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, and prepared for our journey to Lutruwita/Tasmania. We have since flown into Melbourne with our large German Wirehaired Pointer Charles and stopped over to catch up with family and friends. All three of us are well used to the three and a half hour ferry trip between the North and South Islands of New Zealand but the overnight ferry to Devonport will be a real adventure. I can’t wait to see the beautiful northwest coast in the dawn light. We’re eager to explore our new home and settle in.

I’ve been loving Limberlost by Robbie Arnott, the current Ten Days Book Club selection, and I’ve also been absorbing as much as I can around the forthcoming referendum. There is so much to see and experience and learn – what a privilege – and I’m looking forward to continuing the conversations I’ve started as well as forging new connections in the lead-up to the 2025 Festival.