Currently reading Dr G. M Cragge’s History of Lachlan Park and hoping that we will have permission to share this writing with all that are interested in Willow Court’s history soon.
FOREWORD
The form and concept of this paper present all outstanding illustration of the evolution of our thinking and our methods of treatment of the mentally ill. With its strong basis of historical interest I find that it also underlines rather graphically the measure of progress which has been made in the application of psychiatric methods and practice in Tasmanian during a relatively brief period, since the time when humanity simply was floundering in ignorance and misconceptions about the care of those admitted to mental institutions or similar places.
M. G Everett, Q.C MHA Minister for Health Hobart 1966
Bronte Ward has had some significant works done, with the old toilet block removed and some start made on the full restoration of the old veranda as it was in the original building. (above). There is some roof work still needed, but the general concept is now a bit clearer. Below is the photo with the toilet block still in place.
A large sign of things to come and a gem from the past, this stored sign is one of the artifacts ready for display in a new museum at the Barracks of Willow Court. While the community wait for the Derwent Valley Council to announce opening dates and activities, more artifacts keep coming in, or out of storage in readiness for a display of the history of the Hospital. The site was named the Royal Derwent Hospital after it’s Lachlan Park tag in 1968.
Last Friday the current Derwent Valley Council Mayor, Martyn Evans gave a personal tour of the council-owned section of the Willow Court historic site to the Premier Will Hodgeman. According to this article he also is seeking ongoing funding for the recently expired contact arrangements with the Senior Project Officer, Mr Brett Noble.
There still hasn’t been any announcement of opening dates and activities by the owner the Derwent Valley Council. Concern has been raised about the Council’s lack of expertise in running such a significant historic site such as Willow Court, especially considering the past 14 years of neglect and that the current budget is almost exhausted. The Council’s Manager recently announced that the site might be opened, then boarded up, due to a lack of funding. One could only foresee the ongoing vandalism that that would create.
• We have begun redevelopment work in earnest on Bronte, which has a nine week program. We start with demolition of the intrusive toilet block and then move to construction of new toilets and the kitchen, along with all interior finishes. Roof painting and plumbing has moved to the northern wing now that we have space to erect the scaffolding.
• Electrical and mechanical services are also being installed in Bronte and the Barracks in parallel with this work.
• Landscape works are drawing to a close. Scheduling of landscape works in the Bronte courtyard is dependent upon how the construction work progresses, but should occur during the last couple of weeks of this month. The Avenue pedestrian apron has been laid. Fencing issues should be resolved soon, and then work started.
• Interior finishes are being applied in The Barracks south wing, along with various little tasks around the veranda and external envelope of the building.
Basically, the major works within Bronte are underway and we are also progressing the many little ‘final’
tasks to do across the precinct.
“It seems most likely, however, that
the school could be closed at the end of 1988.”
(B~ Marris)
CO-ORDINATOR
CLINICAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT
One of the issues of community integration was how is this funded? This memo suggests how the school funding can be broken up as each person leaves and transfers to schools in the public domain. It wouldn’t have been easy breaking up funding and distributing it to other service providers, but this document from 1987 tells us some ways that this was occurring.
I have had a lot of people wanting to tour Willow Court contact me through this website so I want to let people know what Brett Noble is suggesting, please see his email message below. Brett has a big job on his hands and has taken his responsibility as the Workplace Health and Safety officer of the site and the Senior Project Manager very seriously. He does give us an indication that the site will be open in the near future to all. We look forward to that. Meanwhile the audio tour section of the oval wards has had a new lease of life and the contents are now stored within the website for more reliability along with some photos of the last tour. Find the audio HERE. A quick walk around the oval wards and a listen to the tour will give a good insight into one person’s experience of working at Willow Court in the 1980’s.
I think it is best to hold off on any further tours until the work is finished. There is just too much running around and uncertainty about tasks that may be undertaken on any given day, so my intention is to keep the site clear. It won’t be long before the site is open.
Donation of artefacts to the new restored Willow Court has started and these are the latest items received. Purchased at tender for the mighty sum of two dollars, this china once occupied the Matron’s accommodation in the Nurses Quarters which is now in private ownership.
Part of the process is getting an understanding of the history or story the articles can tell, how did it get to where it is today, what movement took place for it to arrive where it is. Each piece has a wonderful and sometimes colourful story to tell. Some artefacts are stored by the Derwent Valley Council while other artefacts remain in the hands of private collectors. Lots of artefacts that are still in the buildings have been logged and recorded under a recent funding grant. People can donate or loan artefacts to the museum.
Receiving goods from members of the public can be arranged by contacting members of the Friends of Willow Court or the Senior Project Officer, Mr Brett Noble. All have the forms that need to be filled out to gather this important information. Items can be donated without this information if people prefer.
Exploring life from the inside of Carlton House is something many people want to know about, from its history as part of the criminal justice system when it was built in 1908-1910 to it’s last usage to house people living with a disability. This ward of the Royal Derwent Hospital is one of the most imposing structures at the site. It is quite intact and has survived the last 14 years of Derwent Valley Council ownership and neglect. It’s history is rich and would add to the Willow Court historic site in a very different time scale to Bronte Ward and The Barracks. Originally constructed for the criminally insane and later extensively modified and expanded in 1965-68 this building has two yards, one to the east and one to the west. It is a traditional two door security system with high walls. Some old foundations are visible in the east exercise yard which tell a different story of the site before 1908.
Inside the areas are clean and wouldn’t take much to restore. The old doors have had their hinges removed and stolen for their metal resale. One original hinge is kept so others can be cast and the three inch thick laminated wooden, steel re-enforced doors can be rehung. The ceiling in some areas has been exposed but can be left exposed to show the re-enforced metal fabrication fixed to the top of the ceiling rafters makes this escape proof.
Many people have never had the opportunity to visit a site like this and the building tells it’s own visual story. Along with some minor interpretation this site could become part of the Willow Court tour experience. From the time you walk in and see this imposing structure framed by large grey high walls, to the internal structure, this would have to be one of the most interesting buildings on the site. Inside, large dinning area and kitchen area followed by the staff room, Doctor’s room, visitors room, clothing store, bathroom and sleeping areas. Upstairs the bathroom and sleeping areas have been somewhat maintained only because this was one of the hardest buildings on the site to brake into.
Each building sets a different scene and tells a different story about the site, the Barracks started in 1827 and Bronte house was constructed as a medical ward before becoming the high functioning woman’s ward. So each building has a unique quality that sits in it’s own space and time. This would give a visitor access to physical structures from the first building to a much later structure and of course model of use and operation.
So the question remains, does this wonderful building get leased out to a business and structurally changed forever, or does it form part of the history that should be restored and told?
