Our people their stories: Julianne Stevens

The monthly Our people, their stories: oral histories of Northern Tasmania talks presented by the QVMAG Friends reveal the personal stories of a diverse range of people who enrich the lives of our community.

From Tasmania to the world: adventures in flyfishing

To be presented by Julianne (Jules) Stevens

Jules Stevens is a Launceston girl whose family ran Whitchurch’s clothing store on Invermay Road, a business started by her grandfather. She attended Cressy District School until Grade 5, then won a scholarship to Broadland House and was later one of the first females to attend Launceston Grammar, part of the Old Launcestonian Class of 1977.

From an early age Jules learned gymnastics at PCYC and participated in swimming and athletics carnivals at school. She also learned ballet with Ken Gillespie and was one of the dancers in his first Tasdance productions. Water skiing was also a large part of her life and she was successful in numerous Tasmanian Championships.

Jules married Michael Stevens in 1989 and they had two children, Hamish and Harriet. It was Mike's passion for fly fishing and Jules’ experience in retail that led the couple to buy the business Essential Flyfisher in York St in 2014.

Jules represented Australia in the first World Ladies Fly Fishing Championship in Norway, 2022. She also competed in the second World Ladies Team in Canada 2023 where the team were placed fourth and has been selected for the third World Ladies Team to compete in the Czech Republic in May 2024. Last year Jules also competed in the Commonwealth Championship in Isle of Islay, Scotland where she won a Silver Individual Medal and the Ladies Team won First Place.

In less than a decade Jules Stevens has progressed from knowing very little about flyfishing to successfully competing at an international level for Australia.

What inspired her to get involved in the sport and what continues to keep her enthusiasm for flyfishing so high at both a recreational and competitive level will be revealed at our first lecture for 2024.

Please spread the word that this fascinating program of lectures has commenced for the year.

We look forward to seeing you there.