Local – Page 29 – Willow Court Tasmania

Politicians facing renewed calls for formal apology to Royal Derwent Hospital mental health patients

October 24, 2014 No Comments

Yesterday I was contacted by a reporter from the Examiner Newspaper about the renewed push for the apology to the former patients of Royal Derwent Hospital. Tonight on the 7.30 Report, Airlie Ward talked to ex-patient, Dannii Lane who is looking for some type of recognition of the wrongness of the public policy that allowed her to feel more unsafe inside the walls of the institution than outside.

“I can still remember the screams, the smell of stale urine, the smell of disinfectant trying to cover the smell of urine,” she said.

“And I remember seeing women chained to the furniture, like dogs. It wasn’t a nice experience.

“I was sexually abused by one of the male attendants.

“You were never safe, you were actually safer outside the asylum than you were in, it was one of the ironies.

7.30 Report Tasmania full story The story will be repeated on ABC News 24 Monday 27th October 2014, 3:30am

If you need to talk about any issues this story may have raised please consider calling Life Line on 13 11 14.

Video Report Here (right click)

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Friends of Willow Court AGM

October 20, 2014 No Comments

This Wednesday, 22nd October 2014 will be the Annual General Meeting AGM for the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee. Guest Speaker will be the Chair of the Willow Court Conservation Special Committee Mr. David Llewellyn.

The meeting will take place at the Derwent Valley Community House, The Avenue, New Norfolk at 7 pm.

There may also be some issues with parking as the Kettering Incident KTI film crew will be using the old Administration Building next door, but they hope to conclude by the time the meeting is going to get underway.

All members of the public are welcome to attend and people who are interested in joining the Friends of Willow Court are also invited. Nomination forms will be available on the day or by request. A light supper will be provided.

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Two function Centres in Willow Court?

October 14, 2014 No Comments

Willow Court is to have two function centres if this is approved, one at the privately owned area of Willow Court and the other was planned for the Heritage Precinct. The Derwent Valley Council has a public plan which includes a public function centre also in its own area just 100 m up the road. This must be a confusing decision for a council to approve a function centre next to their own proposed function centre. It is also believed that the Morgue Hotel idea is also up for approval with the Derwent Valley Council on the privately owned area.

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Thematic Interpretation Workshop

October 10, 2014 No Comments

Rebecca Tudor talking to Phil Fitzpatrick.

The Friends of Willow Court committee and guests attended a Thematic Interpretation workshop this week to help understand and plan for professional themed tours when the site opens in the coming months. Facilitator Phil Fitzpatrick took us through a process of understanding Thematic Interpritation and offered many examples. It wasn’t long before we started to get down to business with the interpretation overview of Willow Court. The Committee worked in small groups to discuss themes and the planned visitor experience that would align with the theories behind Thematic interpretation. Tourism Tasmania recommend that a full Thematic plan be in place with all tourist experiences and it is considered as best practice. It was also great to have Derwent Valley Council representation there to join us, Councillor Tony Nicholson has an immense personal knowledge and a passion for the Willow Court Site and how it can contribute to the Derwent Valley as a whole. A plan was created in 2006 by the Derwent Valley Council and offers a lot of insight to the contents of what a new plan would contain. Thematic Interpretation Plan 2006

Phil going through some basic theory.

Thematic interpretation is an approach to heritage interpretation originally advocated by professor William J. Lewis (University of Vermont)[1] and subsequently developed by professor Sam H. Ham (University of Idaho). In the thematic approach, an interpreter relies on a central theme (i.e., a major point or message) to guide development of a communication activity or device. In presenting the activity or device, the thematic interpreter develops the theme in such a way that it will be highly relevant to an audience. According to studies, presenting a strongly relevant theme greatly increases the likelihood an interpreter will succeed in provoking an audience to think about theme-related issues. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thematic_interpretation 009

Conservation Committee Member Anne McKinstray learning about “Convincing the Accountant”

About the facilitator:

Phil Fitzpatrick brings 20 years of tourism industry experience to his work as an interpretative strategy consultant, and brand specialist. Phil is also the Manager of Redlands Estate in the Derwent Valley.

Description
Phil is a highly skilled and extensively trained strategic communicator and thematic interpretation specialist, combining many years of developing, presenting, training and management experience in the industry with solid teaching in the principles of thematic interpretation. His comprehensive understanding of creative methods, combined with clear processes, result in a strong focus on conveying powerful messages and meaning to target audiences. The ultimate long range value is in stregthening the brand of the client and using these methods to inform brand and market planning.

Phil’s many projects include his leading role in interpretation and design for Tasmania’s West Coast Wilderness Railway. He worked closely with staff and stakeholders on the design, development and implementation of signage and the production of an award-winning guidebook for the Railway. This project covered every aspect of the product’s interpretive content, design and delivery and was used as a case study for Tourism Tasmania’s pilot program Building Visitor Experience.

In early 2008, Phil Fitzpatrick and Maura Bedloe of Working Words joined with consultant David Inches of Inspired by Marketing to develop a major heritage interpretation strategy for a region of northern Tasmania. This project covered a wide geographical area and encompassed a diverse community, united by a section of main road stretching between the towns of Hadspen and Westbury. The team engaged deeply in research and community consultation, including an exhaustive interpretive inventory process and series of interpretive workshops involving local community and stakeholders. The project team successfully delivered an interpretive strategy that is unique in the state. No record
currently exists within Tasmania of an entire region adopting a thematic approach for implementation across multiple towns and communities.

Hierophant Projects

Phil has consulted on the following interpretation development in 2009/10

Sarah Island: Interpretive strategy, design, development implementation planning and instalation design
Lifeline Hobart: Brand strategy development and communication strategy
Tourism Tasmania: interpretive strategy for World Heritage nominated convict sites of Tasmania.
TVIN: Brand application, logo identity, creative look and feel
Elmslie Wines Tasmania: Interpretive Elements, brand application, logo identity, creative look and feel
Saffire resort: Interpretive planning, product development, training and content research and development
Bay of Fires: Brand application, logo identity, creative look and feel
The Southern Lights Hotel: Core brand development, brand application, logo identity, creative look and feel
Clarence Valley Council: Communication strategy and brand application (NSW)
Meander Valley Council and Tourism Tas: Interpretive planning for the Northern Heritage Tourism Development Plan
Port Arthur Historic Site: Development of training program and delivery of interpretation training for frontline staff
Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park: Interpretive strategy design, development and implementation planning
Lenna of Hobart (hotel): Interpretive strategy design, development and implementation planning
Gordon River Cruises (Pure Tasmania): Creative, visual interpretation
Puffing Billy Railway (VIC): brand application, interpretive strategy development, implementation planning and training
Flagstaff Maritime Museum (Warrnambool): Interpretation planning and guide training
Navigators Cruise Company: Interpretive strategy design, development, implementation planning and training
West Coast Wilderness Railway: visual interpretation development, implementation and training
Tourism Tasmania: EROT, interpretation training to industry
The Federal Group: Three Capes Project interpretive concept development
Forestry Tasmania: Interpretation review, development, implementation planning and training
Signature Experience Pilot Program, Tourism Tas: Developing interpretive planning, toolkits, training and mentoring process for seven key tourism businesses in Tasmania

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Convict history with Willow Court included.

October 8, 2014 No Comments

Many historic books have been written about Tasmania’s convict past, but few include New Norfolk’s Invalid Station and Insane Asylum and even less are written for both adult and young reader alike. Simon Barnard seems to capture Willow Court’s history in this beautifully 88 page illustrated book. Two pages are dedicated to Willow Court’s history with a rich amount of information. Among a scaled drawing of the Barracks there are a range of well researched topics and include subjects like:

Treatment at New Norfolk,

Population,

Rations,

Riots,

Problem Staff and

Arson.

There also are a number of stories of individuals including Convicts and Staff. The book was published in late September 2014. The level of detail in the illustrations and research has been praised as extremely accurate. illustration examples

About the book:

“Seventy-three thousand convicts were transported to the British penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land in the first half of the nineteenth century. They played a vital role in the building of the settlements, as well as the running of the newly established colony. Simon Barnard’s A–Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land is a rich and compelling account of the lives of the men, women and children who were transported to Tasmania for crimes ranging from stealing bread to poisoning family members. Their sentences, punishments, achievements and suffering make for fascinating reading. And the spectacular illustrations, each one carefully drawn in meticulous detail from contemporary records, bring this extraordinary history to life.”

Click here to see the ABC 7.30 Report Interview with Simon (contains Carlton House yard shot)

Simon Barnard’s Book

About the Author:

Simon Barnard was born and grew up in Launceston. He spent a lot of time in the bush as a boy, which led to an interest in Tasmanian history. He is an illustrator and collector of colonial artifacts. He now lives in Melbourne with his girlfriend and a little dog.

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Friends of Willow Court invite

October 8, 2014 No Comments

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Ward 10

September 28, 2014 7 Comments

Ward 10 was a high secure ward that was surrounded by a Ha Ha wall and was home for people with florid psychosis.

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Disturbing mockery

September 24, 2014 No Comments

This disturbing portrayal of people living with disabilities and\or mental health issues is on display at the Western Australian Royal Show. Advertised as “entertainment” this is a disgusting image that lacks the basic respect and sensitivity toward anyone who has lived or worked with people with a Mental Health issue or an intellectual disability and has known the inside of an institution. Right click the picture to read the full article.

“A mental health lobby group wants Perth Royal Show organisers to shut a haunted house based on a 17th century mental asylum in which actors pretend to be inmates.”

COMHWA executive director Shauna Gaebler said the haunted hospital and another exhibit, the asylum 3-D spinning horror, were “offensive and discriminatory” because they stereotyped mentally-ill people as dangerous and objects of general fun.

“The exhibitions reinforce stereotypes that people with mental illness differ in appearance to other members of the community and are violent, dangerous, untrustworthy or unpredictable,” she said.

It is hoped that the Derwent Valley Council never entertain the thought or entertain any group\s that wishes to promote Willow Court \ Royal Derwent Hospital in any manner such as this. A recent letter to the Derwent Valley Gazette expressed exactly this sentiment. It was believed that a group have approached the Derwent Valley Council asking for funds to promote their DVC co produced Paranormal film and conduct night tours. Willow Court History Group is about keeping Willow Court’s history in tact and not representing it in a different manner for people’s entertainment or the pure pursuit of making money. Another article ABC report

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Open day postponed due to unfinished building works

September 22, 2014 No Comments

The open day which was announced by the Willow Court Conservation Committee and the Derwent Valley Council and planning meetings have been underway has been postponed. The DVC has produced no advertising material despite asking people to prepare and present displays. This postponement is due to unfinished works on Bronte Ward. Another planning meeting is to be held Wednesday and I should know more details from that meeting. I will pass this on as soon as a new date is confirmed.

The Derwent Valley Council will be holding an “open the site” day of the Willow Court Heritage Precinct on 27th and 28 in September 2014.

The idea is to show the public what has been done to the historic location with conservation works over the last 18 months. Although the Council, have only just notified groups, there is a plan for:

Display of before and after photos by the Project Officer Mr. Brett Noble,

Display from the New Norfolk Historic Centre and

Input and displays from the Friends of Willow Court and the Friends of Frascati House.

More news when it comes to hand.

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Derwent Valley Council gag order proposed.

September 17, 2014 No Comments

An interesting agenda item is on the Derwent Valley Councils agenda for tonight’s meeting and deserves a bit of public scrutiny. The item of concern is under the heading

1.4 Powers and functions of the special committee (page 15)

The Chairperson or any representative of any committee is not authorised to undertake a press release or communicate any decision of the committee prior to approval being given by the Mayor.

All information discussed and actioned from any Special Committee will now have to gain approval from the Mayor to communicate outside of that meeting. A couple of comments are worthy here; the Mayor has been very slow in responding to requests for information from the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee. The other point to be made is how good a job is the Derwent Valley Council doing in getting the word out about happenings at Willow Court and its preservation? The last media release was in JUNE 2013, yes that is right, JUNE 2013 over a year ago, so not a record that you would be proud of.

It would appear that this is more to do with a political agenda than it is about letting the rate payers of the Derwent Valley know how their rates are being spent. Also if committee members were unable to attend a meeting, but rang the next day to ask what transpired, the Chairperson or any other committee member would have to first contact the Mayor to get permission to divulge the information. Does this rule apply to Councillors who provide information to the community via blog spots or a personal news website?

There are a great number of Special Committee’s formed by the Derwent Valley Council made up of many people freely giving up their time volunteering to progress the Derwent Valley Council’s agenda and not to deal with gag bylaws that have a political agenda.

There are normal committee processes that decisions can stay “in committee” until it is decided that it can be released, this is normal professional practice and would apply when the information is of a sensitive nature or related to ongoing inquiries or has some commercial sensitivity. Having this extra burden on Special Committees means that their work will now be locked up. In some cases for years to come.

Read the Agenda in full.