Ron Christie swaps lord mayoral robes for an apron

RON Christie’s bid for lord mayor may have failed, but he is finding success elsewhere. He reveals his plans for life after mayor ... and they have a sweet twist. WATCH RON’S FAREWELL VIDEO

LIFE after lord mayor will be less controversial for Ron Christie, but just as tricky.

Ald Christie, whose bid for Hobart’s top civic job has been unsuccessful, is already focused on his next challenge — baking the elusive perfect scone.

The former mayor and his wife Lili Sun-Christie are opening tea rooms in Hobart in two weeks, so Ald Christie has swapped mayoral robes for an apron.

“I’ll probably go down in history as the shortest serving mayor in Hobart, but I’ve got other plans,” Ald Christie said.

“I’ve been learning to cook scones — and I now make the best scones in Hobart.”

Although the count is ongoing and a result for Hobart is not final, Alderman Anna Reynolds appears set to become the next Hobart Lord Mayor.

Provisional results Wednesday have Ald Reynolds at 23.43 per cent of first preference votes, ahead of Ald Damon Thomas on 13 per cent. Ald Christie is seventh of 11 candidates for lord mayor.

Ald Christie, who is still in the running to be re-elected as alderman on Hobart Council, said this would likely be his last term in local government.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to one more term. I’ve had a great ride and had a great journey,” he said..

“There is life after politics.”

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Ald Christie took on the role of lord mayor in March after his predecessor Sue Hickey was elected to state politics. He had previously served two terms as deputy lord mayor.

He decided late in the local government election campaign to throw his hat into the lord mayoral ring, despite controversy following his criticism of some elements of Dark Mofo and mass tourism.

But, all the while, amid all the fuss, Ald Christie was also sweating over his scone recipes.

“I’ve been practising scone baking for over a year now,” he said.

“I have tried every scone recipe ever invented, and I have now found the perfect scone.”

He said the new tea rooms were really his wife’s venture, and he was the labour and kitchen hand.

“They are my wife’s tea rooms, I’m just the scone maker.”

Ron Christie in The Hunter Room at the Hobart Town Hall. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

The new Hobart Town Tea Rooms, in Macquarie St, have a heritage theme — aimed at attracting both local tea enthusiasts and tourists. Tea will be served in fine bone china cups, and the décor is a celebration of colonial history through photographs and memorabilia. It opens November 14.

“I’m passionate about the history of Hobart,” he said.

“I will be out there looking for tourists now, but this will be a sustainable venture.”

Ald Christie copped fierce criticism from the tourism industry in June when he warned mass tourism could “kill our city”.

He congratulated all the aldermen who appear to have been elected, especially the growing number of female faces in local government around the state.

Hobart will likely have a female lord mayor, Anna Reynolds, and deputy mayor, Helen Burnet. Huon Valley has also elected its first female mayor in Bec Enders.

“I want to congratulate all the ladies who have come into politics — it’s a real swing and something good.”