In this issue

Dr Carol Freeman, an adjunct researcher in the School of Humanities at the University of Tasmanian, looked me in the eye and said, "You published a story recently which was tabloid, sensationalist rubbish." In fact she didn't say that. She was much more polite. But that's what it felt like as Dr Freeman ripped to shreds, diplomatically, our feature article in Issue 82 about the possibility that thylacines continue to live, out of sight and mind, deep in the vast Tasmanian wilderness. Diplomacy, I discovered that day, can be delivered with fire in its belly and ice in its eyes. I responded the only way an abashed, contrite editor could respond. "Write the refutation for me," I pleaded. She agreed, and I am delighted to publish that article as the lead feature in this issue (p12). It is not the romantic version of the thylacine story that some of us want to believe. It is, I say with icy certainty, the real one.

About the time our forebears were slaughtering the last thylacines, they started slaughtering whales, and within that large, dark story is a small, fascinating one which forms a unique chapter in Tasmanian history. Michael Stoddart, formerly chief scientist of Australia's Antarctic program, is another with an objective view of our past. His feature, from p18, about the young Tasmanian men who sailed on Norwegian ships into the vast, southern unknown, is strong on hardship, historical perspective and rollicking maritime adventure.

And finally, it's that time of year and we'd like to wish you all a happy 2017 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. We are celebrating it with our beautiful cover image, taken by Port Sorell photographer Jacqui Beven, with our beautiful Parting Shot image taken by Huon Valley photographer Bob Frost (p96), and with our Portfolio, from p30, presenting the work of one of Tasmania's pre-eminent photographers, Pen Tayler.

Forty South Tasmania Magazine Description:

Tasmania has been described as the world's best-kept secret, but it's not our fault - we have been telling the world about Tasmania for over 20 years. Forty South Tasmania has been described as a lifestyle magazine with brains. It offers three things: interesting features about Australia's island state, good writing and stunning photography. The magazine is a household name in Tasmania, but also has many subscribers elsewhere - people who have visited this beautiful place and now read the magazine for a regular reminder of an extraordinary experience. Forty South Tasmania offers feature stories, and stunning photography, about Tasmanian places and people, tourism, history and lifestyle, and regular columns on Tasmanian food, wine, arts and culture.