Here at Tasmanian Times we’ve been looking through submissions to our first-ever cartoon competition. After several long lunches and hours of deliberation, we can declare a winner and three runners-up. Already we can’t wait to see what next month’s competition throws up.

Many thanks to all who entered! We were certainly entertained and impressed looking at the entries and we hope readers will be too.

Indeed we urge all these talented folks to enter again – entry is free! – as we’d love to see what else you can come up with.

But the more the merrier, so come one come all for the June competition which will be on theme of Tasmanian political chaos. Any take on it will be fine: you can partisan, or critical, or just bewildered like most of us. Entry information and form here.

Without further ado, here are the winner and runners up with artist information above each image and judges’ comments below.

Winner

Artist and description: Lauren Thomasse – The Hunger Games of housing in Hobart.

Judges said: A wonderful, vibrant cartoon that did a great job of pulling all the strands of Tasmania’s seemingly impossible and ongoing housing crisis into a single image. Even the ol’ backyard treehouse seems unaffordable these days! Plus we have a soft spot for wombats. Who doesn’t?

Runners up

Artist and description: Mousehammer – Unwanted Financial Obligation.

Judges said: The hottest issue right now – the stadium – attracted several entries. We liked this image’s clever use of a real photo of Hobart, simulated generation of a UFO and the uncanny similarity between the UFO and the proposed stadium. It’s unclear if the UFO is taking off or landing, which may be the point; maybe it’s just sucking the life out of Hobart. Urk. The absence of text lets the image speak for itself and left its interpretation open to viewers.

 Artist and description: Merinda Young – With numerous questions about the Macquarie Point stadium from funding to transport, the fundamental problem seems to be the unsuitability of the site. This cartoon asks that question.

Judges said: Another stadium cartoon and one that speaks to the GRIPE (Giant Ridiculous Infrastructure Protect Exhaustion) plaguing many Tasmanians. We also like the counterpoint to Artificial Intelligence of natural stupidity … cleverr! Bonus point for the footy going through the roof of the Wankerdome whoops stadium and heading for ‘tartica.

Artist and description: Maria Riedl – The AFL and Jeremy Rockliff have shown utter disrespect for the Cenotaph and the soldiers and airmen who died, and for the world renowned and respected Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. They disregard due process by trying to rush thru legislation by leapfrogging the Tasmanian Planning Commission, disregarding independent reports by Eastlake, Gruen and even cricket Australia as well as the people of Hobart and in fact Tasmania. Perhaps salmon in a massive fishbowl of a stadium would be an even better idea!

Judges said: This one scared us because we thought the Tasmanian Government might actually think a salmon-themed stadium was a good idea. You can almost picture the huge Tassal logo over the stadium entrance, Rum’un slurping down plates salm’un for the cameras, seals being shot as they try to sneak in, and much more/worse. *Nervous laughter*

To submit entries to the June competition please see the entry information and form here.

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

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