Students of Flinders University have been able to capture the continuing vandalism of Willow Court. While the Barracks and Bronte remain low risk and clear of the damage that previously plagued the site, the same can not be said of Carlton (C Ward), Industrial Therapies and Alonnah Wards (A Ward). Under the protection by the owner, the Derwent Valley Council these buildings remain subject to vandalism including the smashing of many of the one inch thick glass panels that distinguish the property as the old criminal division of Lachlan Park.
We hope that this ongoing damage can be stopped soon and the Council can protect these public assets. The cost of replacing the many glass panes is unknown but would be considerable. These Wards are often the most visually powerful in getting people to understand this part of the site housed people who were considered dangerous to the community. Large walls, 1″ thick glass windows and three inch thick laminated doors housed Tasmania’s Criminals who were judged criminally insane.
Later the site was used to house people with intellectual disabilities because the Criminal division was moved to the Risdon Prison site. A number of reports considered and recommended the wards inappropriate and should close.
The Derwent Valley Council also reported a breakin at Frascati House and the door needed repair and resecuring earlier this year.
Even after the roofing iron was removed from Carlton Ward and the Deputy Mayor reported it, it remained off for a couple of weeks and allowed access for urban explorers, paranormal enthusiasts and vandals.
5 Comments
Tragic. Period.
I am sadden as to what has happened to these buildings that are being kept on being vandalised. these buildings are part the history of New Norfolk. No matter how many times they try to fix these last remaining buildings that are left standing they vandalised again and again and it will continue on, at the rate it is going. More security needs to be put into place
When they find out who did this they should make them clean up and do other community service work like picking up rubbish ect.
Good morning all,
I went to see willow court when dark mafo was on. I was very annoyed to see the amount of damage there… These buildings if looked after could of been used as a memorial for all those patients who went there and maybe a museum if possible… It has a lot of portental but will need cleaning up first and security to stop these bloody vandals…. If Derwent valley council thought about it and looked after these buildings could be a tourist attraction but that depends on whether the new Norfolk community would be happy for this to happen… I really hope willow court can be saved before we lose this history for good… Iam very passionate about Tasmanian History and would help keeping it safe where possible…. A clean up of the site would be great I would help out if it happened but would have to need approval I assume….
Regards
Michelle Austen
A clean up would be great, however the Derwent Valley Council will not allow it’s own committee on the site. We really have to look for other people to have a vision for the site because they simply don’t have one. Will release a podcast soon with a vision for the valley.