The Paul County Journey

Paul County (svc 1971-79) was a major feature in a recent TAS Weekend supplement of the Hobart Mercury – a four-page feature by Linda Smith.

The article flagged the imminent release of a book Discovering Soho – a Celebration of the South Hobart Community. The words and images are the work of Paul.

Paul’s story leading up to this publication made very interesting reading.

He spent his 20s enjoying plenty of overseas adventures – he worked in hospitality in London and Spain, as an English teacher in Bangkok and also spent six months on a farm in Israel growing herbs.

When he returned to Tasmania he decided he needed a new challenge.

To quote the article: - “I loved photography, I had done a few courses over the years through Adult Ed,’’ County explains. “I decided to apply for art school (at the University of Tasmania), so I did that and I got accepted and majored in photography. I kept working in hospitality and it felt like a really good balance – when I was at art school I felt like I found my home.’’ He then did a teaching degree and applied for his first teaching job at Guilford Young College. And, as luck would have it, they were looking for someone who could teach both photography and catering, which perfectly matched his skill set.”

Paul has published 17 books the best known of which is Tasmania’s Table: A food lover’s guide to Tasmania’s fine food, drink and restaurants – featuring images by photographer Nick Osborne. Tasmania’s Table was Tasmania’s first A4, full-colour, beautifully photographed food book.  It sold 10,000 copies, and it just kept selling and a second  edition was printed.

Paul, who is now 62, still teaches part-time at St Aloysius College in Kingston – and loves the mix of teaching and publishing books.