This is a 32 page study that was undertaken when there were thoughts of deinstitutionalising the children at Willow Court. What was the likely outcome and how would children blend into a integrated educational system?
The late Dr Merrill Stanley Jackson (March 2015) and Brian Knowles asked 63 questions that attempted to seek the perceptions of children from grades 3-6 with some interesting results.
It would be interesting to see if there was a follow up study after integration/inclusion, if not, this may well be a basis for a study to see what perceptions are held today.
The large book (from Willow Court) of collected studies explores the idea of integration in the 70’s and what would be the possible ramifications and obvious questions and concerns the non-institutionalised community would have towards such a program.
By the 1980’s the children started the deinstitutionalisation process – the rest is history.
Looking forward to the next visit from Associate Professor Heather Burke and the team of Archaeology Students this February. Willow Court has much to reveal of it’s past through artifacts, be they in the ground or under the protection of the Derwent Valley Council or attached to the buildings themselves.
The most interesting find for me would be a confirmation that the wooden structures that pre-dated the Barracks are, where original plans suggest. At this stage the history would suggest the site in front of Frescati House, somewhat in line with the new gates of Willow Court is that site.
It is believed that the wooden structures which were written about in the book, “Troubled Asylum” were discribed as being totally inapproprate and leaked rain through the roof and couldn’t stop water running along the earth floor, were discribed in a letter of complaint that started the process of designing the Barracks as we see them today
Well another year comes to an end and this year has seen some progress both at the Willow Court Site and on this website. At Willow Court we know that stage one of the conservation has been completed and the Derwent Valley Council have now reconsidered the Community House idea for Willow Court and are now pursuing a more tourist focused plan. The site closed for conservation in 2012 and remains closed three years later, by comparison the Mona Site was built and opened to the public in a shorter space of time.
(c) 2015 Heritage Week Display officially opened by the Governor of Tasmania.
The Friends of Willow Court are to present to the Derwent Valley Council their plans for professional thematic tours early next year. We have seen part restoration of the wall this year, displays of the juncture of Willow Court and world conflict, a play by the Derwent Valley Players at Frascati House and the Prime Minister of Australia visit the soon to be listed Heritage site. We have also seen the very real support from Eric Hutchinson MP who has actively pursued the interests of Willow Court in Canberra.
(c) 2015 Professional display presented at Willow Court by the Friends of Willow Court.
On the not so positive side we still can’t arrange tours despite the countless inquiries by individuals and groups. We have also heard of several different councillors who all have their own agendas for the site.
(c) 2015 Group of visitors can’t access the site.
The website has had a big facelift this year and has become more accessible for our diverse community, thanks to the input and skills of Joshua Krause IT and Michelle Eastwood for her transcribing services of our audio podcasts.
I would also like to thank Anthony Nicholson OAM: Consultant Historian and Ex-Employee Willow Court Admin and Anne McKinstray: Advisor and Ex-Employee Willow Court Centre for their input and advice.
The new website also makes reviewing the year easier by having the years news and other years down the right side of the webpage. Click the month to the right and see for yourself.
(c) 2015 Supporter Eric Hutchinson is a voice in Canberra.
From the Team at Willow Court History Group we thank you for your interest, participation and ongoing support to see Willow Court became the Historic Centre in New Norfolk that tourists want to visit and respect.
The Friends of Willow Court were at this years Christmas Parade in New Norfolk with a display of the work that the group has been involved in. Joint projects with the New Norfolk Tidy Towns Committee and the Derwent Valley Players along with working bees and training days were all on display. The Matron also made a visit.
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2015 Christmas Parade and static display of the Friends of Willow Court, the Derwent Valley Players and the Tidy Towns.
The minutes of the Derwent Valley Council show an interesting item, below Mr Len Butterworth asked the Mayor if there is an answer to the discrepancy between the 2002 audit and the latest audit figure which puts the number of artifacts held and protected by the Derwent Valley Council at 500.
There is an ongoing investigation and we will keep an eye on this one.
6.5 Mr Butterworth – Royal Derwent Chattels Mr Butterworth noted that the had previously queried the location of 3,973 chattels documented in a 2002 audit, and referred to the provision of an electronic record documenting only 500 items by the former General Manager. The Mayor took the question on notice.
Derwent Valley Council are considering a joint proposal tonight from “The Eleventh Order” which is a craft brewery based in New Norfolk and the popular Agrarian Kitchen. The Council will also will consider deferring the expression of interest process that was going to find a compatible tenant for the Bronte Building.
Because of the zoning requirement Heritage Tasmania will be consulted into the proposed use of the site. This interest came from the Prime Minister’s visit to Willow Court in October during which time members of the invited group had a limited tour of the restoration and conservation works.
Back in August the Derwent Valley Council had an agenda item recommending the lease of the Bronte Building to the Derwent Valley Community House. (CLICK HERE)
The proposal was going to see the building being leased for nine years for nine dollars. This morning Councillor Shaw, Deputy Mayor announced on Facebook “There is no “current lease holder” there was a decision of council to form an agreement/lease with community house, which has to my knowledge not been signed. Community house has now expressed interest in moving to another council facility which is also on the agenda for tonight“.
Tonight Councillor Shaw also announced on facebook “there was a decision made at tonight’s council meeting, to formally enter into lease negotiations with DVCH in relocating to carinya education park. This is a magnificent space and has huge kitchen amenities. All it needs now is all party’s to agree on terms.”
By the amount of likes on the notice it would appear that locals and interested people seem to agree that this is a better fit for the Historic Precinct than previous proposals. The public heard this proposal this morning on the ABC’s Leon Compton morning program during talk back.
The proposal is to explore an agreement between the parties before March 2016.
After 23 years supporting people with disability I have enjoyed the company and the diversity that is now in my community and would find it hard to not know that in the future. So when I came across some papers that were part of the gathering of statistics for a 1975 national survey into who was living in institutional care facilities around our country and in what conditions they were living, I wanted to collate this information about Willow Court.
I have some papers which will not be published by me or this group as the detailed information contained in them is private, however the statistical information that can be gathered from these papers is this:
Number of people in each ward.
Gender balance in each ward.
Age of person at admission.
Current age.
Measure of “Mental Retardation” or other diagnosis.
Length of stay in institution.
The information goes on to explore how many toilets had doors that would lock and how many toilets contained toilet paper. The final survey broke down all the data into percentages. It would be interesting to obtain the national data as a comparison. I know that the figures I have are 20 Patients short of the final total, so one ward is missing.
So this is what I have:
Year = 1975
Ward = B
Age range = 12 – 52
Gender = F
Collective years in willow court = 459.5 years
Number of people = 26
Year = 1975
Ward = 9 (45 bed ward 36 people had mental retardation)
Age range = 22 – 81
Gender =
Collective years in willow court = 631 years (2 questionable as short)
Number of people = 36 (45 Bed Ward, only 36 with MR)
Year = 1975
Ward = D
Age range = 17 – 76
Gender = M
Collective years in willow court = 897.4
Number of people = 44
Year = 1975
Ward = E
Age range = 15 – 64
Gender = M
Collective years in willow court = 587.5 years
Number of people = 40
Year = 1975
Ward = F
Age range = 10 – 26
Gender = M 10 F 13 = 23
Collective years in willow court = 187 years
Number of people = 23
Year = 1975
Ward = H
Age range = 11 – 64
Gender = M 11 F 33 = 44
Collective years in willow court = 365 years
Number of people = 44
Year = 1975
Ward = J
Age range = 16 – 74
Gender = F?
Collective years in willow court = 555 years
Number of people = 43
Year = 1975
Ward = L
Age range = 5 – 24
Gender = M 20 F13 = 23
Collective years in willow court = 164.5 years
Number of people = 23
Year = 1975
Ward = M
Age range = 3 – 14
Gender = M 17 F 15 = 22
Collective years in willow court = 128.4 years
Number of people = 22
Year = 1975
Ward = O
Age range = 22 – 63
Gender =
Collective years in willow court = 718 years
Number of people = 42
———————————————————————————————————-
Total people = 343 (study had 363)
Total years spent in institution = 4693.3 years
Age range = 3 – 81 years
I am stunned that we as a community have not enjoyed the diversity that people with disability bring for 4693.3 years collectively. I feel that we are the losers for that decision.
Today saw a small gathering of people laying white flowers, as part of the White Flower Memorial Movement in Australia. The movement highlights the abuse, neglect and isolation of people with disabilities in current and past care facilities. The memorial was held at the gates of Willow Court and was in memory of the Children that were institutionalised at the centre during it’s long 174 year history.
The Leader of the Tasmanian Greens, Cassy O’Conner was the surprise guest speaker and has been calling for a public apology, similarly to the past apologies give to the Stolen Generation and Wards of the State in Tasmania. The event was coordinated by Dannii Lane who was a previous resident of Lachlan Park Hospital. There was a reading of names and a poem during this rainy day event. Representing the Derwent Valley Council, was the Mayor, Martyn Evans who was also the photographer. ABC News reported during the evening news.
Other similar events have been held around Australia and the movement is gathering momentum in the call to have violence against vulnerable people recognised and stopped.
This book asked questions to a person to determine the mental\intellectual capacity to understand and respond in what would be a common sense manner to given situations. The result could be a lengthy stay in Lachlan Park Hospital\Willow Court under the 1929 Mental Deficiency Act. Click the image above to go to the articles tab and read the new document and many more.
This is by far one of Tasmania’s rarest books and most second hand book dealers would love a copy or ten to sell. Dr Gavin M Crabbe wrote this during some years of sickness post second world war two, after his return from a prisoner of war camp. The original manuscript has now been given to the Friends of Willow Court by Dr Crabbe’s daughter. The podcast above is a reading from the introduction.
Looking forward to the next visit from Associate Professor Heather Burke and the team of Archaeology Students this February. Willow Court has much to reveal of it’s past through artifacts, be they in the ground or under the protection of the Derwent Valley Council or attached to the buildings themselves.
