Q&A: Fiona Ellis-Jones
Between leading a national newsroom and crafting botanical products inspired by Tasmania’s landscape, this media exec has discovered that life at the bottom of the world offers something increasingly rare: space to slow down, connect with community, and breathe a little deeper.
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Fee Ellis-Jones (image: Instagram)
How did you end up at the bottom of the world?
We moved here from Sydney five years ago. My husband works in marine science, and we knew that his career would eventually take us to Hobart or Townsville. I was keen for Townsville for the warmth, but we visited Tasmania and looked at the life we could give our kids here compared to Sydney’s northern beaches, and loved the idea of being able to tap into this beautiful innocence that you can’t seem to get anywhere else anymore.
Initially, we said that we’d give it two years, but from about six months in, I knew that we’d stay. We spent the first year in Hobart city, and then moved out to a property in Richmond, complete with a luxury farmstay Barrenjoey Farm.
I still can’t believe that I can have this life on this beautiful property just 25 minutes from the CBD, and send my kids to amazing schools, and spend our days off mountain biking and exploring our gorgeous natural wonders. For the first time in my life, I really feel like I’m part of a community.
As Head of News at ARN, your primary work is still based in Sydney. How do you manage spending your time between two cities?
I generally do one week here, and one week there, so I really do feel like I’m living in two worlds. While I’m in Sydney, a typical day starts at 6am, getting across the news and having editorial meetings with my staff, followed by a mix of senior leadership and commercial meetings throughout the day.
When I’m back in Hobart, my day starts a bit later after dropping the kids at school. I base my work day out of the 7HOFM office, and - while I still seem to spend most of my life in meetings - it feels a lot more ‘chill’ here. From the moment I step off the plane and take that first inhale of Tasmanian air, I feel myself slow down and return to nature. I’m actually hesitant to share too much about it because I don’t want the secret to get out, but there really is something deeply romantic about retreating to the bottom of the world.
Fee Ellis-Jones (image: Instagram)
Is there anything that you’ve found difficult about moving to Tassie?
The cold is hard, and this Winter has been particularly so. But you learn to embrace it. One thing I really love about Hobart is that it experiences all four seasons, so I’m excited to know that Spring is coming. We’re already starting to see some new growth, and I can’t wait to wander through Battery Point when the days are a bit warmer to see all of those beautiful cottage gardens in bloom.
Outside of your media career, you also own Richmond Botanicals Co., handcrafting Tasmanian botanical products like candles, diffusers, room mists and body products. How did that come about?
Yes, when I tell my friends in Sydney that I’m selling candles in Tassie now, they don’t believe me! We’ve always loved the Richmond Botanicals Co. brand, and when the opportunity came up to buy it from the beautiful lady who set it up in 2014, we jumped on it.
The original shopfront closed about three years ago when the previous owner sold it, so we initially did most of our retail from Salamanca Market on Saturday mornings, but it was really important to us to eventually set up a brick and mortar store so that people could come out, slow down and enjoy a really sensory experience. After a while, the perfect space came up - it’s a beautiful property in Richmond, right between the lolly shop and the bakery. We’re so grateful that the local community has embraced us as the new custodians of such an established brand, and love that we’ve been able to add another reason for people to come out to Richmond and experience this gorgeous town.
Our amazing team handmakes everything at our farm, or onsite at Richmond, using local botanicals and ingredients, with no chemicals. It’s all inspired by landscape and as natural as we can possibly make it, because - to us - that’s the truest representation of Tasmania.
Richmond Botanicals Co. at Salamanca Market (image: Nikki Davis-Jones)
Where are your favourite spots to eat and drink in Richmond?
As a vegetarian, the spicy cauliflower pie at The Richmond Bakery is my weakness, and I hear that the scallop pies are incredible, too.
Richmond Reading Room is the cutest little spot, full of books, great coffee, and little biscuits and pastries. And Sweets & Treats is always a winner - it feels so old-school.
On Sundays, we head out to Pooley Wines for their exceptional wood-fired pizzas.
Where do you and your family get away to for a staycation?
We love travelling around Tassie, and have been lucky enough to spend time at Piermont, Saffire and Pumphouse Point over the years.
Our kids are really into mountain biking, so we often head out to Maydena or Derby, both of which are also great places to bush walk and just generally get into nature.
Whether we’re at home in Richmond or travelling elsewhere in the state, it’s this sense that life is easy and wholesome that makes being here so special.
