While many traditional Australia Day events across the country have moved to new dates, a more than 100-year-old event has returned to Tasmania after a covid-induced hiatus. Hundreds gathered at the Henley on Mersey in the state's northwest, eager to see Tasmania's most agile ferret.
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00:00 Back and raring to go, the Henley on Mersey has returned to Tasmania's North West.
00:07 And how do you think Chorlop's going to go today?
00:09 Oh she's very skinny you see, she's very long, she might do very well.
00:14 Ferret racing is a crowd favourite.
00:17 We've had ferrets ever since Pop was growing up, he's had them since he was a kid and it's kind of been passed down to me and my younger sister.
00:24 He's just so malleable.
00:26 There are high hopes and shattered dreams.
00:30 Molly decided to go backwards, which isn't like her, she came third a few years ago, but no she let me down today.
00:38 After going whisker to whisker, Tasmania's most agile ferret was declared.
00:43 Polar Bear doing his six year old owner proud.
00:47 Swim like a rocket.
00:49 And how does it feel to have won?
00:51 Great!
00:52 But it's not all fun and ferrets. Organisers say they're considering moving future events from Australia Day.
00:59 We will sit down after the event and have a debrief and see which way we're going to move next year.
01:06 I think times are changing a little bit but yeah I think it's still fair enough, even if it's just an excuse to get out and have a good day.
01:12 The Henley on Mersey is one of very few major public events being staged in Tasmania today.
01:18 Other traditional Australia Day events have moved to new dates, including most council run citizenship ceremonies.
01:25 This is the fewest number of people I have ever seen here.
01:29 Kingston Beach used to be home to one of Tasmania's main Australia Day celebrations.
01:34 It's much more subdued now.
01:37 Well we thought we'd come to the beach and see what's going on but obviously there's not much.
01:42 This beach used to be crowded with people celebrating Australia Day signs and now we have nothing.
01:48 It's actually a feeling of sadness that it's been shattered and shut down.
01:53 Times are changing.
01:55 [BLANK_AUDIO]