Local – Page 35 – Willow Court Tasmania

Many mixed memories

January 7, 2014 2 Comments

Had a wonderful day at New Norfolk last weekend, lots to visit and see. We had lunch at the Patchwork Café (Therapeutic Centre/School house) and I would recommend it. For those that don’t know the area as well, this is in the privately owned and operated section of Willow Court and has budget accommodation, antique shops and a craft shop.

There was a note left in the visitors book at the nurse’s quarters, pictured above. You are never far away from a diverse opinion when up at Willow Court. While the author writes that this is not a place to celebrate, it could be said that the human struggle that took place there is something to celebrate, as victory over an oppressive system (for some) did happen and many remember their time as residents and staff with fondness.

It really screams “social restoration” which would allow everyone to tell their story from their view. That would and should include the past residents as well.

Global, Local

Media coverage for the opening of Willow Court?

January 2, 2014 No Comments

The Derwent Valley Council is about to open the restored Willow Court heritage precinct late February or early March, so how are they going to get the word out to the Tasmanian community and the tourists that it hopes to attract? This is a good question and the DVC have been sitting on the domain name “willowcourt.org.au” for nearly two years, it is going to be good to see what the DVC will reveal.

It would have been good to have the website already running so the local community can see what is happening from the official channels and know what type of activities and attractions will be available in a couple of months time.

This will be the revealing of the master plan and the large “Port Arthur” style attraction, it could only be expected that a media package equal to the sites heritage values be applied as soon as possible. It is also unclear what level of local employment will be generated by the opening. No positions vacant have been seen yet in the public domain.

Communication between the DVC and the Council Committees has been limited and the plans of council have not been revealed to the volunteer support base, that are the Friends of Willow Court, who normally run open days and arts events at the site. Local business that will have to cater for the opening have not been advised about an opening date or what to expect. Normally with an event this large in Tasmania some months of planning would be expected and would be well underway. A skeleton of the event and how the Council are going to management it could be shared.

We look forward to the opening, the events and wonder how the previous residents/patients are to be involved?

Global, Local

2013 Report Card

December 26, 2013 No Comments

The biggest news story for the year would have to be the start of the physical restoration of the Barracks and Bronte Ward. Although the Derwent Valley Council have reported that

“The former psychiatric institution is recognised as having significant heritage values both in terms of its architecture and social history. After a chequered past, work is now being done to ensure its conservation for future generations and to look at adaptive reuse for some of the original buildings on the site”. (2012-13 annual report, page 9)

It appears that restoration is currently only for the architectural side only at the moment. However it is important that the DVC can see the “social history” from all parties who had something to do with the former hospital. It is this rich cultural heritage that should be shown to the world when the Derwent Valley Council opens the site to the public this Feb-March 2014.

We started the years off with being involved with the open days at the site and we released a 40 minute documentary to view free Willow Court Documentary (first public release). We then attended the Frascati House Heritage Day and made a podcast of the history that was spoken by the Daughter of Dr Brothers the Medical Superintendent during the second world war when she lived at the house with her brothers Frescati Heritage Open Day Our recording is now used as part of the New Norfolk Heritage Walk tour. Frescati House Plan (including audio link)

Tasmania was hit hard during the fire season and the Friends of Willow Court swung into action to raise much needed money for effected people with the Long Table Dinner Tasmanian Bushfire Fundraiser. This was cancelled by the actions of Cr. Judy Bromfield when she knowingly and deliberately stopped the insurance cover for people who were arranged as catering staff and had the necessary qualifications to serve alcohol for the evening’s event, Shame Cr Judy Bromfield Shame.

Another unfortunate event this year has been the Derwent Valley Council’s supported and sponsored “Paranormal Documentary”. This unpleasant work was reported to the Anti-discrimination and Privacy Commissioners, who found it to be in bad taste towards the previous patients who lived at Willow Court, but didn’t find it to be openly discriminatory. However the Privacy Commissioner believes if one of the previous residents depicted in this film should forward a complaint, there can be action taken to have the film maker remove the Archival footage obtained through Archives Tasmania. Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner Steps In

Tasmania released its tourism statement to the world in March this year and Willow Court was to be part of that promotion as arranged by Willow Court Tasmania Advocacy Group, only to be told that Council infighting causes exclusion to Tourism Tasmania advertising campaign.

Some great moments were the audio recording of Ken O’Brien’s recollection of his 90 plus years living in a community with a hospital as its main employer. Some of Ken’s podcast can be found on the audio tab and linked to this article, posted soon after the interview. Royal Derwent Hospital’s water supply, sewage and sullage systems. Ken’s living witness and this 1941 Agreement help us to resolve the many stories that had emerged from the community about what the tunnels under the township were used for. Tunnel discovery announced.

We also released an ABC 7.30 Report about “institutionalisation to community” and how a group of ex-patients were successfully making a new life in the greater community of Hobart, Tasmania. ABC 7.30 Report 1991.

The Tasmanian Heritage Council Approved New Shopping Centre next to Willow Court which will dominate the oval area, while the previous Wards around that oval passed to private ownership, with some major works starting.

The Derwent Valley Players, in conjunction with the Friends of Willow Court, presented two original plays, written by Sharon Hutchison and directed by Vivienne de Bressac at the Barracks. Willow Court, New Norfolk, was the site of a wonderful event over the week-end this was the last public event before the restoration started.

The website had 100,000, then 200,000 hits this year and continues to grow as does the Facebook group and Facebook page which shows many people are interested in Willow Court becoming a “site of conscience”, a place that saw human struggles and achievement. Our members join without the admin “nominating” them. This is a better and realistic gage of true support.

The new Restoration Tab took shape with reports and photos of the progress of works at the site and continues to record the restoration processes.

This year has also seen a big push for an apology to the former residents which dominated and brought up many mixed feelings from residents and staff alike, New article from Margaret Reynolds in today’s Mercury plus a news article from 1960, Mayor to meet with Lara Giddings over “Apology” We saw the DVC declare its position about the history and struggle of human rights in this article Derwent Valley Council; crisis talks over apology, No voice for previous patients from Mayor Martyn Evans.

The Federal election this year gave us an opportunity to contact all the candidates for the seat of Lyons and ask their opinion about Willow Court becoming a Site of Conscience. We had replies from the Tasmania Greens and the sitting Labor candidate Federal Election 2013 Lyons and we are arranging a meeting with the current elected Member, Eric Hutchinson in early 2014. All are supportive for an Apology to mend the past wrongs of Government policy and inaction at Willow Court as advocated by us and many parents and former staff and management.

A highlight this year was the tour from the Project Manager Brett Noble and being able to share a portion of the photos that I took while listening to this man’s immense knowledge and experience with restoration of Tasmania’s Heritage Willow Court tour of closed Barracks section

We also saw the podcasts of the social history and audio tour by ex-employee, Anne McKinstray being used as educational tools for students from Fahan School by having them loaded onto I-pads and listened to during a wander around the site. Educational Audio Tour.

We also had a number of very personal stories shared, A personal story, Nurse Miss Evelyn Rose Morey M.B.E.

In a year that I thought we had little activity, it was good to look back at the history of what we have been up to at a volunteer work level, political level and a public communications level. It was great to have the support page up and running this year with a collections of supporting statements from our support base Contact & Support Us, it is these positive messages that keep up going.

From our team we wish you a happy and safe new year and we would love to see you at the opening of the NEW RESTORED WILLOW COURT in 2014.

Mark Krause

Global, Local

Nurse Miss Evelyn Rose Morey M.B.E

December 26, 2013 5 Comments

About the same time as Millbrook Rise opened in 1934 Matron Jane Power M.B.E handed in her resignation from the position of Matron. Miss Evelyn Rose Morey AANS (pictured left) was then appointed as Matron of Mental Diseases Hospital New Norfolk and served the institution for 18 years.

The Mercury – Dated 28th April 1934 Reported:
APPOINTMENTS HOBART, Friday. At a meeting of the Executive Council
to-day Miss Evelyn Rose Morey was promoted from the position of
sub-matron to that of matron at the Mental Diseases Hospital at New Norfolk.

Matron Morey witnessed the large construction process that saw the destruction of many old building on the west side of the Lachlan River and construction of the new east hospital, but she wasn’t just a bystander, she was called as a witness before J. H Chamberlain in 1949, who chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee, looking at the need to have a new hospital and a segregated model that serves people with intellectual disabilities on one side of the hospital and people with mental health issues on the other. Plans were submitted for the construction of a new hospital at the cost of 1,500,000 pounds.

Nurse Evelyn Rose Morey AANS was born in Triabunna, Tasmania on the 2nd of April 1885 and trained at Lyell District Hospital for 5 years
She enlisted on the 17 September 1917 and joined AANS 17 October 1917 aged 32. She embarked AMATS Nestor on the 21 November 1917 and disembarked at Southampton on the 18 January 1918. She took up her post as staff nurse in the 2nd Aust. Aux. Hospital, Southall 19 January 1918, staff nurse at 3rd Aust. Aux. Hospital Dartford 4 February 1918 and staff nurse at 1st Aust Gen Hospital Sutton Veny, 19 October 1919.

She returned to Australia 1 November 1919 per Nestor because she had an injured knee during a fall on the ship, Grace Darling on 7 January 1920 and was recommended “unfit” for general service by the 26 January 1920. Her service was terminated on the 25 February 1920 due to “demobilisation”.

TREASURED COIN SOVEREIGN THAT WAS NOT WANTED (Newspaper clipping)

A sovereign with an interesting history was among the articles disposed of in
competitions at a fair held at New Norfolk on Saturday in aid of the Crippled
Children’s Fund. The Sovereign, which was donated by the matron of
Lachlan Park Hospital (Sister Evelyn Morey) brought 8 pounds 15 shillings.

With nine others it was taken to France during the Great War by Sister
Morey, and when a shop assistant refused to accept it in payment for a pair
of gloves in a French shop, the coin was kept as a treasure. That the novelty
of gaining possession of a sovereign appealed to a great many was
indicated by the amount collected for it on Saturday.

Her Headstone Inscription read:
In Loving Memory of Evelyn Rose Morey M.B.E Late A.A.N.S 1914-1918
Daughter of the late A & E Morey of Okehampton Died 18th January 1953
Aged 69 Years Matron Lachlan Park Hospital for 18 years. Loved by all.

The Mercury notice – dated Monday 19th January 1953:

MOREY. – On January 18, 1953, at Hobart, Evelyn Rose Morey, M.B.E., loved and loving daughter of the late Abraham and Ellen Morey, Okehampton, Triabunna, in the 70th year of her age. Late Sister, Nursing Staff, 1st A.I.F. late Matron, Lachlan Park Hospital, Tasmania.

Truly a life dedicated to the Hospital and service to people with disabilities and mental health issues.

Research by Karen Richards and Mark Krause

Source: Trove, Troubled Asylum

Global, Local

Security in place at Willow Court

December 23, 2013 No Comments

A new security site office is now located on the grounds of Frascati House, although empty tonight it looks promising and may protect Frascati and the Barracks from arson attacks. The resent loss of the Oval Change rooms (Change room fire) appears to have prompted to security rethink by the Derwent Valley Council. The change rooms were lit and destroyed within minutes in day light hours. A number of young people have been charged with this. (Police interview three youths over fire) It has become our practise not to normally reveal the news of young offenders until the law has been followed through. Social media has an unpleasant side that allows people to write, and push enter before the laws of natural justice have been able to work or their frontal lobe hasn’t had time to kick in.

WC Security 003 Security office with Esperance and the roof of Frascati in the background.

Global, Local

Window Saved

December 20, 2013 No Comments

The window from Esperance Ward was saved by a concerned person when they found it partially damaged and removed from the window frame a year ago. This window is a unique piece as it has the chew marks from one of the patients who during the long nights would chew at the window frame. This window starred in the news report, of the then Minister for Community Services, the Hon. Judy Jackson MHA when she visited the site before announcing it’s closure. Repatraition of Residents from Willow Court Tasmania film can be found by clicking on the link and shows the ward in operation and how a group of Willow Court’s previous residents are surviving on the outside.

Paul Mayne (Ex-employee and current CEO of a Disability Service Provider) explains during a tour with a group of students about the window and how it came to be chewed. (Podcast below)

[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/willow-court/willow-court-paul-mayne-window[/soundcloud]

Global, Local

Vandalism continues

December 18, 2013 No Comments

Vandalism continues to be a problem on both privately owned buildings at Willow Court. The oval wards and the old nurses home have been written on, “I’m Sorry” appears on the external wall of Derwent Ward which faces the Avenue. The writing on the old Nurses Quarters (pictured below) also faces the Avenue and has defaced the old sandstone foundation wall.

The oval Ward works have slowed and workers have not been present for some time, while at the Heritage precinct area, the Barracks is undergoing major works.

Anyone witnessing such vandalism should inform police.

Global, Local

Disability History Month: Unpacking medieval myths

December 13, 2013 No Comments

BBC Disability History Month

“Delving into disabled people’s social history can help us understand modern
attitudes to disability, argues Richard Rieser, coordinator of the UK’s annual
Disability History Month.”

I really like this concept and think that this is a real going here in Australia,
and why shouldn’t we be the first State to start something like this after all we
have the oldest institution in Australia?

Global, Local

Change rooms up in flames in day light hours.

December 8, 2013 No Comments

Yesterday the old change rooms on the oval precinct went up in flames during the day sparking concern in the near by Woolworths Supermarket as shoppers went about their business. These were going to be removed to make way for a new Woolworths supermarket and shopping area.

Global, Local

Restoration update

December 4, 2013 No Comments

From Brett Noble, Senior Project Officer Willow Court.

As many would have noticed, there is currently considerably activity at The Barracks.
Over the last couple of weeks, all the windows facing into The Barracks courtyard have been restored to working order. The windows retain all the marks of their 180 years of life – patches, different paint layers, repairs, and breaks – but are now in working order. Some very intriguing metal work, hand stamped with the ‘convict arrow’, was uncovered during this work. The ‘convict arrow’ was also found on many of the window frames.
Work has also begun on a couple of the original doors, as a test of what this work will entail.
In addition, specialist renderers have been working on the verandah plinth, removing cement render and bits of loose render, ahead of applying a poultice. The poultice will be on for a few weeks, to draw out the moisture and salts that had been trapped in the masonry, before a new lime render is applied. Part of this work involved the removal of some of the brick pavers that were hard against the verandah plinth, and a little excavation along the face of the plinth. This work has shown that along the southern side of the building the original ground level was much lower that at present.
Behind the scenes, the head contractor requests for tenders is nearing completion, which should see the selection of a head contractor in the next week. As you will recall, part of the selection criteria for this work is the involvement of local sub-contractors.

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