Easter Tuesday in Tasmania
In Tasmania, Easter Tuesday is observed as a state holiday. This means that some businesses and schools are either closed or have reduced operating hours. It also means that public sector employees are given the day off.
For most people in Tasmania, it’s a day off work that’s coupled with an extended holiday that includes Good Friday and Easter Monday. During this 5-day weekend period, many people take their families on vacation or simply use it as a break.
It’s also a popular time for christenings and weddings, to travel overseas for vacation, or to take scenic tours of the country. And, of course, there’s the religious component of this period, which is a time for people to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The History of Easter Tuesday in Tasmania
Observed on the third day of the Octave of Easter, this holiday is an extension of the Easter holiday and is analogous to the third day of Bright Week in the Byzantine Rite. In the past, the academic year in Australia was divided into three terms.
This is when Easter Tuesday was added to the normal school holidays list to allow children in Sydney to attend The Royal Easter Show. In Tasmania, there wasn’t a show at this time of the year, so Easter Tuesday was legislated in Tasmania as a public holiday.
Some Quick Facts About Easter
Anyone interested in learning more about Easter has come to the right place. We’ve gathered together a selection of Easter facts that we feel everyone can appreciate and enjoy. We think the following bullet points will highlight the purpose of this holiday and give people a little more information on its background and practice.
- Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Christian religion.
- The traditions of bunnies and colored eggs for Easter come from Germanic pagan traditions.
- In Germanic paganism, bunnies and eggs were symbols of fertility.
- It’s estimated that approximately 70% of Easter candy purchased is made of chocolate.
- According to a recent survey, about 63% of Australians traveled within their own state during Easter, and 34% went to another state in Australia.
- Only 3% of surveyed Australians said they would spend Easter traveling abroad.
Observing Easter Tuesday in Tasmania
Easter Tuesday has recently become a holiday mainly observed by the public sector and also as a day to give children time off from school. State courts and libraries are closed, as are many government services.
However, plenty of businesses continue to remain open on this day. Families who have time off use the day to go on trips or engage in family activities. Word of this holiday can be spread across social media using the hashtag #EasterTuesday.