Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus.) a inhabitant of the Derwent area of Tasmania, thus generically a Tasmanian; dervene, Tasmania.

1896		Argus (Melbourne) 3 Jan. 6/6: With respect to ‘dervener,’ the word was in use while the blue shirt race existed, and these people did not become extinct until after 1860. The word ‘dervene’ [sic] had an extended meaning, and frequently referred to the island of Tasmania itself, or as it was then called, Van Dieman’s Land.
1905		Argyle Liberal (NSW) 7 Nov. 2/3: ‘What I mean is can’t we get up a fight between two of the other fellows; it will help to kill time. There is the Dervener and Ready Made Mat, for instance, they have had a few growls already. The Dervener can’t get over Ready insinuating last night that he was a fowl thief’.
1949		Chron. (Adelaide) 24 Mar. 43/3: For people in the Northern Territory, Territorians, topenders. Residents of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea are also known as Territorians. For Tasmanians, Van Diemenese, Derveners, Derwent Ducks, Mountain Devils, Tassies and Tassylanders.