Following the trail of the remarkable Susan Harvey (Part 1)

It was Saturday and Debbie Ward, also a Starts at 60 member, and I were headed to the east coast towns of Orford and Triabunna in Tassie.  Situated about an hour from Hobart, these little seaside towns were mostly holiday places now.  There are old shacks, and new standing side by side and Debbie told me that both towns are filled with tourists and shack owners in summer and quite empty during the winter months.  Although having lived in Tasmania for fourteen years, there are many places I have not yet visited and as my friend had an errand to do in Orford and Triabunna was just five minutes from there, we were going to make a day of it.

It was a beautiful 24 degrees, a very slight breeze and blue skies.  The road winds its way between what I think is the Prosser River on one side and thick bushland on the other.  It is a relaxing drive and would need to be as it can take awhile if you find yourself behind a slow moving tractor, as we did.  Our first stop was Buckland.  I guess you can’t really call it a town anymore, but it has a quaint little pub, built back in the 1830s I think.  As we slowed to a snail’s pace, we could see two patrons, both over sixty gentlemen, one with an Akubra perched on his head, propping up the bar.  We honked waved and drove on. 

We needed to do a family member a favour in Orford, so we made a pit stop, filled the obligation and Debbie drove me through the streets of this little township.  Some of the buildings are old and some very new.  Some are run down and some very stately. All look as though they get plenty of use this time of the year and it’s no wonder.  The ocean in this part of the world is gorgeous.  The crystal blue water shimmered against the white sand as the sun looked down upon the beach.  There were boats dotted out a short distance from the shore and a few children playing on the edge of the water.  A small fishing boat was headed into the jetty, and a couple of small yachts were enjoying the day.  Orford has a yacht club and a police station and seems to be content nestled in for the duration of its existence.

We headed on to Triabunna, where just a few weeks earlier, Debbie had discovered a little Teahouse.  It had apparently been there less than a year, and Debbie was impressed with its light menu and its décor.  This would be our lunch stop.  As we pulled up outside this lovely old converted house, we spotted a restored Ford Utility.  I cannot tell you how old but its vivid green metallic duco and its apparent age made it the perfect vehicle to be parked at the front of the teahouse.

As we entered the building, we noted its beautifully polished boards and restored furniture.  It was small, but not too small, quaint and quite striking.  I was in love with it from the start.  One of the staff okayed me to take photos as she told me it had been used as an all year round Christmas shop for 22 years but less than a year ago was bought and converted back to a home at the rear and The Colonial Teahouse at the front.  It was truly lovely.  Now if you are from Tasmania, you may know the story or part of it anyway of Fonthill.  Fonthill was a property owned by three families from the early 1800s till present time, and Susan Harvey was one of four Harvey sisters who have an amazing, awe-inspiring history with Fonthill.  Susan Rosser (Harvey) now is the proud owner of The Colonial Teahouse.  Susan is 68 years old and a woman who doesn’t know how to give up or in, a woman who has carved her place in Tasmania history and a credit to women all around the country and indeed the world.  Her story is great and long, so I will devote the second half of this article just to Susan.  In the next episode, I will tell you how she and her sisters bought Fonthill, after being away from it for many years and let you close your eyes as you imagine the life this incredible woman has had.  So until the next part of this article, picture Deb and myself, sitting in the colonial style teahouse, enjoying our Ploughman’s lunch and iced coffees to die for.

To be continued tomorrow only on Starts at 60.

What did you think of Fran and Debbie’s journey so far?