Swansea
Hawthorn’s Swansea group were welcomed to the area by 100 kids ready for a game of beach cricket.
Children travelled from neighbouring towns including Orford, Triabunna and Bicheno after the council kindly provided transport to the Swansea activities.
Simon Taylor, Campbell Brown, Rick Ladson, Ryan Schoenmakers and Riley Milne received a warm introduction from Mayor Bertrand Cadart before participating in beach cricket and signing team posters and postcards for the locals.
After trying their hand at cricket the players headed to the Bark Mill Tavern for a fundraising dinner for Mayshaw Health Care. The players again were made to feel welcome and enjoyed mixing with the very strong Hawthorn crowd.
Swansea has provided a brilliant setting and a great start to the week.
Mayor Bertrand Cadart is all smiles as he welcomes the players to Swansea.
A young Hawks supporter smashes a six into the Swansea surf.
Scottsdale
After negotiating the log trucks on the thin and windy road to Bridport (via Georgetown due to Luke Hodge’s incorrect reading of the map) the group arrived at the stunning Barnbougle Dunes Golf Resort.
There was time for a quick bite to eat in the restaurant and a moment to freshen up before the players hit the town to meet the locals. Approximately 200 people turned out at the Village Green in the main street of the small fishing town to watch a cricket match between six Hawks players and a group of Scottsdale High School's of superior cricket talent.
The game was close with some big shots from both sides. Man of the match went to Garry Moss who hit a six one bounce into the information caravan.
At the conclusion of the match the players stayed around to sign some autographs and pose for a few photos with the eager kids who may not usually get the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Hawks.
Hawks players and the Scottsdale High School cricket team.
Local onlookers watch on as the Hawks try their hand at cricket.
Smithton
The group spent a terrific afternoon in Stanley, playing beach cricket with kids from Youth in the Park, Down Syndrome Tasmania and CHAC (Circular Heads Aboriginal Corporation).
The highlights of the match were Michael Osborne's sensational six, which was actually caught by a spectator walking his dog, and new recruit Shane Savage's impressive impersonation of Shane Warne.
In the evening the Smithton Saints and the Smithton Elderley Home jointly hosted a fundraising dinner with the players spread throughout the room, answering questions about life as a footballer.
Michael Osborne and Clinton Young entered a fierce bidding war during the auction for a homemade pavlova – ‘Ossie’ was successful with the winning bid of $62 and donating the ‘pav’ to one of the tables at the dinner.
Players visiting Smithton spent time with kids from Youth in the Park, Down Syndrome Tasmania and CHAC (Circular Heads Aboriginal Corporation).
Smithton Saints and the Smithton Elderley Home joined Hawks players at a fundraising dinner.
Port Arthur
Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Beau Dowler, Xavier Ellis, Brendan Whitecross and Tom Murphy were off to Port Arthur to see the sights and meet some local kids.
Tassie kids from the Port Arthur area and surrounds, as well as tourists, were ready for some sports and a bbq, which had kindly been put on by the tourist centre. One family from Holland had come to the sight just to see the Hawks after hearing on the radio an AFL team was in town.
It was great to see lots of families decked out in brown and gold and have them join in a game of cricket. The kids keen to bowl out or catch one of their heroes and the played enjoyed the chance to relax and chat to the locals in such a beautiful setting.
Next, the group was off on a historical walk with tour guide Colin, who knew the ins and outs of the historical site, from the First Fleets arrival and stories of convicts and their punishments and took us around the remains of the buildings.
At the end of the tour Colin shared with us the story of tragedy that many Australians associate with the Port Arthur site, although we all knew the history of it, to be there and see the long list of names really made it all hit home. We know so many Tasmanians were affected by the disaster that took place and we took time to reflect.
That evening the group attended the local footy club Dodges Ferry to help fund raise for the local footy club, and meet some local kids. It was great to see so much brown and gold in the crowd again. The people of Dodges Ferry welcomed us with open arms and the crayfish spread they put on for dinner was second to none.
Jordan Lewis plays photographer to a Tassie Hawks family as they share a moment with the Cup.
Ulverstone
A flock of Hawks traveled to Ulverstone to take on the local junior basketball club in a mini basketball-Olympics.
Jarryd Roughead and Brent Renouf led the charge for the Hawks, with Matt Suckling, Stephen Gilham, Trent Croad and Tim Boyle providing ample back up – but the Hawks were no match for the kids of Ulverstone – who in the end dribbled them off the court.
That said – Roughead and Renouf did excite the young crowd with a few slam-dunks and Tim Boyle won best juggler.
Then in the early evening after a refreshing swim in Bass Straight, the Hawks descended on Ulverstone Football Club to take the seniors and juniors through a few drills, and then conducted a forum for the local youngsters to get to know their favourite players a little better and learn about the pressures of life as an AFL footballer.
Jarryd Roughead works on his fitness, skipping with Ulverstone locals.
Huonville
After a quick lunch at Franklin in the south west corner of Tasmania the group arrived at Tahune Air Walk operated by Forestry Tasmania. Children from Camp Quality joined the players for a BBQ and signing session.
Players were dared to take flight on the Eagle (Hawk) glide across the forest canopy and Huon River. Camp Quality children joined in the fun as the hang glider swooped 100m. Stuart Dew had the flight (or was it fright) of his life, others took the plunge with eyes closed.
This followed with a trek to the Air Bridge which reaches across the Picton and Huon Rivers surrounded by thick forest and fauna.
In the evening the players were guests of the Huonville Football Club for dinner and a fundraiser. Over 150 local members of the Huonville Community attended, with the auction items bringing more the $2000 to the Huonville FC who were presented their 2008 SFL Regional Premiership pennant by Robbie Campbell and his team mates Captains Nick Doyle and Matt Quarrier, great night in true Tasmanian hospitality.
Camp Quality kids are all smiles with Hawks players in Huonville.
Travis Tuck swoops in.
