BIRD BRAINED

HAWKWARD Tassie off Hawthorn’s map

THE AFL club that receives millions of dollars in Tasmanian taxpayer sponsorship each year has left our state off a map of the world sent to thousands of its members.

The map on the club’s “Explore the World” raffle book includes islands such as the Seychelles off Africa, New Britain off Papua New Guinea, the 90km-long Bering Island off Russia’s northeast coast — and even the tiny Norwegian volcanic island of Jan Mayen, population zero. But Hawthorn’s second home is nowhere to be seen.

Alerted to the omission last night, the club said leaving Tassie off the map was a mistake. It would be fixed online.

TASMANIA gives Hawthorn millions of taxpayers’ dollars a year in sponsorship but the state has been left off the map in a recent club promotion.

A rant by Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett against a Tasmanian team in the AFL has been derailed by the foot-in-mouth moment by his club.

It was revealed that in a major promotion to its members — Hawthorn’s “Explore the World with the Hawks” raffle — Tasmania was left off the included world map.

It did have places such as the Seychelles off the coast of Africa and the Norwegian volcanic island of Jan Mayen, population zero.

However, the club that wears jumpers with “Tasmania” emblazoned across the chest, receives $3.8 million from Tasmanian taxpayers plus game-day earnings on top, and has 10,000 Tasmanian members, forgot the most important thing in its promotion, its home away from home.

The club said leaving Tassie off the map was unintended.

“This was a design error on our end and the online collateral will be updated,” a spokesman said.

In a long letter to members warning against Tasmania getting an AFL licence, Mr Kennett said: “One thing I am sure of, given our considerable efforts over many years, and my continued promotion of Tasmania, is if Hawthorn is not wanted in Tasmania, just tell us and we will go back to the mainland.”

Independent research found Hawthorn generated $30 million a year in economic activity for the state.

“That’s before you consider the promotion of Tasmania we deliver that attracts others to the island state,” he said.

“Hawthorn has been in Tasmania for the best part of 18 years. We have been building our relationship with the Tasmanian community for years. That is evidenced by the number of Tasmanian members we have.”