Brand Tas

Where previous generations were uneasy about their Tasmanian identity, we’re proud to be Tasmanian, and to embrace all the things that make this place so special. When something is Tasmanian, we know it will be good, so we make sure everyone knows about it. We know Tasmania used to be looked down upon by the rest of the country, but we are happy that the world now sees just how special our little island is — even if we sometimes are left off maps.

We love Tasmania’s natural beauty and small towns. We know that this place is special, from our buildings and architecture, local art installations, events and produce, arts and culture, to our environment and wildlife. It feels like a place just for us. There aren’t many places where you can drive for an hour in any direction and be in an entirely new world – from a beach to a mountain, in a farm or city, and rainforest or scrub. We feel connected to this place and find comfort when we see familiar landmarks that signal our home.

Tasmania is a place where we look each other in the eye and everyone knows everyone. Our communities unite and support us, and connect us to opportunities and help when we need it. We have an unspoken connection to each other because we know we’ve had similar experiences. But our communities can also inhibit us. When everyone knows everyone’s business, it can be really hard to seek help or move past tough times.

We can feel frustrated with Tasmania as it currently stands. We worry about big issues impacting our lives and ability to thrive – whether we’ll ever be able to afford a house, what kind of a world we’ll face with climate change – and we struggle with daily challenges around transport, employment, healthcare and education. But we feel our voice is valued less than that of people who used to be young. We know that problems aren’t always easy to solve, but we want to be heard and have our concerns and ideas taken seriously.

While Tasmanians love the fact that our island is different from the mainland, and lean into those qualities, people’s attitudes towards difference within Tasmania can feel like a different story. Us young Tasmanians are more likely to be comfortable with new ideas and identities, but it can be hard to fit in if you are a bit outside the mould. We want to feel like we belong here, safe to express who we are, and welcomed into our communities, not rejected for being ourselves.