The owners of the Willow Court have recently had a number of workshops to develop some parameters when people and groups wish to access the heritage site. The last workshop was attended by two members of the Friends of Willow Court, Councillors Julie Triffett and Barry Lathey and the General Manager of the Derwent Valley Council.
Educational and Historical groups did not attend and were not invited.
During this time they have considered and will propose a number of things at the next DVC meeting for approval:
Application of site use, (which includes insurance either from the DVC or separate, groups name and type of event. It isn’t clear about use of toilet facilities in the leased section of the site.)
Opening the gate fee
Cost per person for entry
Safety audits
Security arrangements
Bond
Any tours will have to have their scripts approved by the Council.
Access to the remaining part of the site when the Agrarian Kitchen take up their leased section will be closed off by a number of clear panels, it is proposed.
This will be put to the next DVC meeting.
Even though there hasn’t been a process of “Expressions Of Interest” a number of groups have been given access to the site outside of any process.
The proposed “night tour” entertainment group has not had any script approved according to the General Manager and the EOI process will be up to Council to discuss and develop.
It was also noted from recent public comments that there was more public access to the site in 2014 than what is being proposed by Council or on offer today.
This 2016 interview with John Langford AM explores John’s experiences working at Lachlan Park Hospital/Royal Derwent Hospital located in New Norfolk Tasmania from 1962 through the seventies when he set up community based support organisations in the psycho-social model, a philosophy that he had studied in the United Kingdom to support those people with mental health issues that didn’t require incarceration.
A trained Psychiatric Social Worker, John, at the age of 80 years took the time off his full time job to speak with me. He recently opened an accommodation centre in Mackay Queensland to assist people in crisis and has been awarded the highest honour you can get from Rotary Australia the ‘Paul Harris Award’.
This now matched his 2014 member of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours list. It was a delight to meet and talk with this gentleman who has dedicated his life’s work to people with mental health issues, intellectual disabilities and those in crisis.
He starts with telling about the shock he received when he first started and was given a tour, this is not dis-similar to the comments I have received by many ex-staff when they first started. He then discussed the community based structures and training at the hospital that came out from the leadership of Eric Cunningham Dax. He was instrumental in a number of organisations including PRA, Community Hostels, Caroline House and Mara House.
John was one of a number of people who were in positions at the hospital that were able to make a real difference and it was only mentioned to me recently that we need to gather that history, so this is, one person and how they have and are still contributing to the ongoing care and support of people living with mental health issues and\or intellectual disabilities.
The interview goes for just over 23 minutes. Adjust to high Definition.
***This afternoon Ben Shaw the Deputy Mayor of the Derwent Valley Council stated that a working group has been formed and met last night to discuss access to the site. The meeting, he reported had members from outside interest groups, (not including Willow Court History Group) a Paranormal group and internal Committee’s of Council, Friends of Frascati, Friends of Willow Court, Councillors and Council Staff. Two Members of the FoWC attended last night.***
Three member of the Friends of Willow Court, which is a Special Committee of the Derwent Valley Council attended and asked question of the Councillors at the August Council Meeting. It would appear that the Derwent Valley Council, as owners and operators of Willow Court Heritage Site are dragging their feet when it comes to approving events or even having a simple process in place to approve access to the site.
The Derwent Valley Council have now been sitting on a planned events calendar from the Friends of Willow Court for nearly 12 months (August). It appears no feedback or acknowledgement has been forthcoming from the Council to their own committee.
5.2.3 Mr Tony Nicholson – Friends of Willow Court (FoWC) Calendar of Events
Mr Nicholson queried why the Friends of Willow Court (FoWC) had not received feedback or comment from the Council on a Calendar of events for Willow Court which has been provided by Councillor Pearce almost twelve months ago.
With the community keen to have Willow Court open and in use, why have Council not communicated with FoWC on our calendar of events?
The Mayor indicated that the Council was continuing to clarify the Terms of Reference following which there will be further consideration of a expression of interest process.
In another question, Mrs Vivviane De Brassac, a representative of the Friends of Willow Court asked about the sudden installation of information panels before the Dark MOFO event and inquired why Councilor Bester did not approach the Friends of Willow Court for information or assistance. The committee holds immense information of the site’s history with the presence of Local Historian and historical Author Tony Nicholson. Mr Bester clearly had time to consult the Friends of Frascati in gaining information about the Frascati Panel but couldn’t make a phone call to any members of the FoWC or the Council’s representative Cr Pearce.
5.2.4 Mrs Vivienne de Bressac – Consultation with Friends of Willow Court (FoWC)
Representative
Mrs de Bressac queried why Councillor Pearce was not asked to engage with the FoWC to develop the interpretation panels installed in the Willow Court Barracks given that he is the Council representative. Mrs de Bressac noted that Councillor Bester who is the Council representative for Friends of Frascati had been involved in the development of the interpretation panels for both Frascati House and Willow Court Barracks precinct.
The Mayor indicated that given the short time frame to ensure information panels were available for the Dark Mofo Event, the General Manager had organised for the installation to occur immediately.
Derwent Valley Council Minutes – 18 August 2016 Page 15
Next the Chair of the Friends Of Willow Court expressed disappointment in the lack of consultation and asked why if there was time to gather information about the panel for Frascati House that Councillor Pearce wasn’t given the same information to gather information for the Willow Court site from the FoWC?
5.2.5 Mrs Anne Salt – Communications with Friends of Willow Court (FoWC)
Mrs Salt stated that Section 9 of the Derwent Valley Council Code of Conduct Policy states:
Councillors will promote participation by all sections of the community by seeking their views and opinions and by ensuring that appropriate stakeholders have the opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect them.
It was noticed by the FoWC during the Dark Mofo event that interpretation panels were installed in the Willow Court Barracks. Interpretation panels had been a topic of discussion between the previous Willow Court Conservation Committee and the FoWC, and we are very disappointed not to have been made aware by the Council that the panels were to be installed.
We are more disappointed to learn that Cr Bester consulted with the Friends of Frascati on the content of the panel for Frascati House, when Cr Pearce and the FoWC were not consulted on the content of the panels to be installed in the Willow Court precinct.
Given there was time to consult with the Friends of Frascati, why was Friends of Willow Court not consulted or involved in the development of the Willow Court precinct panels?
The Mayor indicated that given the short time frame to ensure information panels were available for the Dark Mofo Event, the General Manager had organised for the installation to occur immediately.
There is a pattern of behaviour appearing and has been for some time that the Council won’t communicate with it’s own Committee and it now appears to be keeping one of it’s own Councillor’s in the dark about works and planning. Chair of FoWC Anne Salt pointed to the Council’s own code of conduct and it’s failure in this process.
We have a first draft “Position Statement” in relation to activities that disrespect the previous residents and staff at Willow Court. The current proposal before the owners, the Derwent Valley Council to have Paranormal Tours has forced us to create this document. It applies to any activity that disrespects the history and the people of Willow Court. While some people wont agree with this, it is however our view.
The current agenda for the Derwent Valley Council has some interesting and exciting proposals that are up for discussion and consideration for the Councilors. The first is on page 40 of the 113 page agenda for a meeting held on the 15th September 2016.
In this proposal Associate Professor Heather Burke from Flinders University is looking for joint support for the archaeological works that are planned in 2017 through til 2022. There are plans for respectful engagement with community. The research aims are:
Staff uniform, Peace collection
better understanding of the day to day life of patients and staff in the 19th and 20th centuries, the development of long and short term interpretive materials, community engagement, developing links between the site and other convict institutions and those portions of the site that are privately owned and training in techniques and processes for students.
The project has been designed along research lines to answer a number of research questions; focusing across a number of broad areas including:-
• The use of space and how this changed over time; • Changes to the physical structures; • Changes to medical treatments; • Conditions for staff; • The relationship between staff and patients and their experiences, and; • The interactions and lives of individual patients in relation to their daily lives at Willow Court and Frascati.
A brief indicative timetable has been provided for the works to be undertaken each February between 2017 – 2022. The project outline for 2017 includes underfloor excavation and surface collection of materials in sections the Barracks, verandah and Ladies Cottage.
As there is a possibility of contamination due to some of the activities previously undertaken in part of the site, a soil analysis has been requested prior to any underfloor activities being undertaken, this will help to ensure the safety of those people involved in underfloor excavations. An estimate of costs involved has been provided.
Due to the means of construction, it will be necessary to lift the floor in certain sections of the Barracks building to allow access, and estimate for this work has been provided by a suitably qualified person. The lifting and reinstatement of the floor could form part of forward works for any restorations to be undertaken in that part of the building. The requests contained in the above recommendation are for works to be carried out in the 2017 year only, future works will be the subject of further recommendations.
The proposal includes public engagement activities and open days (with dates to be finalised), included in this request is assistance from Council regarding public engagement in these days and funding for advertising the open days etc. Council may wish to have further discussions with Associate Professor Burke regarding the detail of the proposed open days.
Although work is not proposed to start until February 2017, this recommendation has been submitted to allow time for the preparation of all required heritage and other approvals. Council may wish to request that copies of these documents and a more detailed project plan be submitted prior to the commencement of archaeological works.
10.6 Archaeological Work at Willow Court and Frascati – Request for support
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council:-
1. Provide in principal support for future archaeological works under the supervision of
Associate Professor Burke to be undertaken at Willow Court and Frascati until 2022;
2. Provide the following assistance as requested by Associate Professor Burke for the
proposed works to be undertaken in February 2017:-
a. Marquees (or similar), tables and chairs to be used as shelter areas on the site,
for the display of materials and for students to undertake public engagement
activities;
b. Possible assistance with community engagement, including but not limited to
funding advertising regarding open days etc.;
c. Funding for interpretation materials , this may be a longer term project and
will be dependent upon what is discovered during the excavation period;
d. A secure storage area for any artifacts;
e. Possible assistance with the removal of dirt and debris after items of
archaeological significance have been removed;
f. A space for dirt that has bee removed to be sifted and examined, possibly the
small cement yard between the Barracks and C Ward;
g. A portion of costs associated with the removal of and reinstatement or
replacement of floorboards in the Barracks;
h. The cost of soil testing in the underfloor area to be excavated at the Barracks;
i. Accommodation for up to fifteen people for up to two weeks;
j. Barricading and coverings for trenches etc. to ensure public safety during this
period, and;
k. Back filling of excavations between field seasons.
3. Request a more detailed plan providing additional information regarding the nature
of the public engagement to be undertaken;
4. Be provided with a document detailing the finding following the completion of the
2017 field school.
The second proposal is for a paranormal tour investigation.
The proponents, it is believed have no formal qualifications in the areas of, ethics, science, tourism, workplace health and safety including risk assessment or business.
Previous statements from representatives of the Derwent Valley Council have talked about a “professional approach” to the future activities on the site and the plans for the Agrarian Kitchen to take up a lease (signed lease 2-9-16) in the old Bronte Ward early in 2017 and the installation of Mike Parr’s work during Dark Mofo are proof that this is the line that is succeeding.
The proposal also calls for the rate payers to subsides the insurance on this event. This event is also to coincide with the release of a documentary which depicts previous residents and staff as “other than human”. This film was approved, funded and insured by the Derwent Valley Council in 2012.
Please read our position statement to these events HERE
The third proposal is from John Davidson and is part of the worldwide Photowalk program for people wishing to take photos with other like-minded professionals and amateurs alike.
Date: 1 October 2016
Purpose: 50 persons participating in 2016 Worldwide Photowalk event.
The last proposal is from the Friends of Willow Court and members of the Derwent Valley Players. The Friends of Willow Court had submitted a list of activities and has been waiting for some time for a reply from Council. Two plays are planned for November this year.
Three of these events will showcase the site and its history respectfully and I’m looking forward to hearing if the DVC can get the approval process in place within the time lines. It’s a bit strange that this hasn’t happened already?
In an updated 2016 plan, the Derwent Valley Council were informed that the old Royal Derwent Hospital site may pose significant health risks. These are asbestos within the buildings, building rubble and in an undisclosed dumping site on the property. Other issues are undeclared flood prone areas and two dump sites which it still remains unclear if biological hazards were placed.
The language used in this report may not be considered appropriate today.
Thanks to Michelle Eastwood transcription services we have an easier to read version of a hand written report I received a year ago. This is an interesting report because the staff were trying something the Hospital system hadn’t tried before and was an interesting experiment which clearly paid dividends both for the”boys and staff”. I have attempted to date this document in a number of ways:
The author mentioned Lachlan Park Hospital (1937-1968)
The names of each of the boys was attached, but for privacy has been removed but are still known to me.
I have a survey dated 1975 in which I have the names and wards of each of the “boys” and their dates of admission and the length of stay at the time of the survey.
I would date this document between 1965-68.
The days routine within a Ward is explained and the issues with overcrowding described in the context of the work that was being attempted. Mostly what is explained here is the success of the hard work of a dedicated team of staff to develop the skills and therefore the Independence of each of the “boys”.
The interesting thing in this document is that the modern skill development guru for people living with an intellectual disability was Dr Marc Gold.
The language used in this film may not be considered appropriate today.
What we see here are a group of people at Lachlan Park Hospital trying what had not been developed as a full theory until the mid to late 1970’s. The mentioned survey above reports that even though this skill development was successful the results report that the “boys” returned to the Wards where skill development wasn’t common.
This article looks at Ghost tourism in all the different dimensions and names. It often refers to a historic place as an important part of the experience, Port Arthur comes to mind here in Tasmania and only concentrates on the older inhabitants and not the more recent murders. Staff will quickly divert back to their tour guidelines if customers inquire, as recent history (twenty years ago) is considered inappropriate. Willow Court closed 16 years ago.
Below is the conclusion, however the full document is an interesting read of what people expect during such experiences. One of the papers that the Derwent Valley Council instigated with Government funds stated that this shouldn’t be an area of activity at this site based on the fact that there was a huge amount of competition in this limited market and even more limited in the paranormal enthusiast market.
CONCLUSIONS
I found that the presence of a historic perspective plays an important role in ghost tours, in several ways. Quite often, ghost tour guides, ghost hunters, and paranormal organizations are aligned with historical societies. Guides have also expressed an interest in history, rooted in their formative years. A historic background is considered crucial to paranormal investigations. The research and use of historic narratives gives a face to haunted happenings; alternatively, it can serve to debunk some reported hauntings (e.g., older buildings have faulty wiring, creaking walls, etc.). History is also an important part of storytelling, contributing to hauntings’ narratives. Also, historically inspired costumes may be said to add to tours’ immersive quality. By extension, tour participants are becoming a part of the sites’ history; their experiences during the tour give them an embodied sense of history, especially when they have their own stories to add to the tour. In addition to other aspects shared with mainstream tourism, such as sightseeing, escapism and entertainment value, ghost tour participants are interested in the presentation of historical information during tours. Ghost hunters share common interests with ghost tour guides and participants, but they encounter potentially haunted places in an alternative way, emphasizing freedom of space, indepth information, and a sense of community among fellow group members.
The Friends of Willow Court Committee were honoured to have the company of Rodney Dunn at the 2016 annual general meeting. Rodney is the owner of the Derwent Valley favourite and world famous ‘Agrarian Kitchen’ situated in Lachlan. Renowned for his gourmet expertise, delightful old -world cooking school and neighbourly connections for fresh ingredients Rodney shares his plans for a new eatery and shop within Willow Court. The newly renovated Bronte building within the council owned section of Willow Court presents an appealing, relaxed and historically significant atmosphere for a choice dining experience.
It has been a foresight of the Friends of Willow Court of the sites potential for tourism and educational opportunities. Rodney explains the eatery’s location within the picturesque setting of the valley will provide an idyllic destination for functions and travellers to dine. The eatery and shop will show case locally sourced produce and highlight specialist kitchen equipment. Diners will enjoy the taste of the valley with a finely crafted menu. The site has room for expansion or as Rodney envisions a partnership with a boutique brewery.
Excited by the prospect of tourism to the site, committee members still held concerns for how the new eatery would engage the public with the historical memories and stories of the site. It was discussed and subsequently agreed upon that the sites rich heritage be preserved through interpretation. Rodney is eager to work with Friends of Willow Court, the Derwent Valley Council and the Willow Court History Group to implement interpretive panels within the eatery that will feature key stories that will connect the past to the present.
The new Agrarian Kitchen will reinvigorate the Willow Court historic Precinct with a modern dining experience for locals and visitors alike. Through interpretation the Friends of Willow Court Committee will help to develop a sophisticated respect and connection with the sites heritage to promote education and a more informed future.
(c) 2016 Anne Salt (Chairperson Friends of Willow Court) volunteering on the wall at the Willow Court restoration project.
On Thursday the 4th August the Friends of Willow Court had their Annual General Meeting which is open to the public. I attended and was allowed to record the Chairperson’s report. Mrs Anne Salt read out the years activities that the committee participated in or arranged. She also gave thanks to Haydn and Penny Pearce, Bernie and Janine Clifford for their support during the Heritage Month tours.
There was also a presentation from Mr Rodney Dunn. Mr Dunn showed the gathered committee his plans for an extension to his already highly successful business, the Agrarian Kitchen. (podcast to come later). Mr Dunn is keen to work with the Friends of Willow Court and the Willow Court History Group once the Derwent Valley Council finalise their long processes for a lease on the Bronte Building.
