10/10/2026
Last weekend I attended a world-class cultural event, where glamorous models paraded even more glamorous creations by talented artists from all corners of the globe, perfectly choreographed to original music.
The Paper on skin Wearable Paper Art Competition. Tasmania, Awards Gala could have held its own in Paris, Milan or New York. It was that good.
As an aside, last night I heard a tourism industry leader from Hobart mention that it had been hard to find accommodation in Devonport because “there’s some paper thing on”.
I smiled to myself and quietly committed to ramping up our advocacy in this area. Clearly, we still have a bit of work to do when it comes to ensuring that those tasked with promoting our state know what’s happening on the North West Coast.
Still, it’s fabulous that Paper on Skin filled our city with visitors. I’m not surprised, and I have no doubt they will leave impressed, perhaps even pinching themselves, as I was, that something so extraordinary happened right here in Devonport.
Congratulations to Lyndal Thorne and her team, Council, sponsors, artists and everyone who helped make it happen.
Events like this help us readjust our sense of what’s possible here. They encourage us to aim a little higher, be a little braver and think a little bigger about our city and its future.
And that’s how we grow Devonport.
Photo credit: Grant Wells Photo, model Kat in 'Nothing to Wear' by Romanian artist Antoaneta Tica, winner of the Professional Development award.
