Local – Page 8 – Willow Court Tasmania

Regular tours and events approved.

July 20, 2018 2 Comments

The New Norfolk News has reported the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee, which is a committee of the Derwent Valley Council, have had all their requests approved. There will be regular respectful tours of the site each month, some opportunity for ad-hoc events/tours and participation in formal events like Heritage Month.

There also has been approval for a Facebook page and a website to handle bookings and interactions with interested parties. We will share this as soon at it starts.

Well done to this small but dedicated group.

Global, Local

Friends set to take off

July 15, 2018 No Comments

The Friends of Willow Court are set to take off with a proposed calendar of events, a Facebook page and a dedicated website for Willow Court if all is approved at the next Derwent Valley Council Meeting.

Despite their small number, the Friends group have consistently arranged and been at Working Bee’s, Open Days, History Tours, History based drama performances, Heritage month activities and when called upon to do so. Recently I was able to offer some support with a tour for a couple of visiting Academics from Manchester University in the UK and two more tours, one for TasTAFE students who are all local Derwent Valley people currently studying Disability Support at the Derwent Valley Community House and are about to enter the local workforce, the second tour was a group of people from different backgrounds but many had a child with a disability. This was a very sensitive tour considering the very real connection these parents felt with such a close history.

None of this was possible without the Friends of Willow Court who promote the site in a sensitive and positive way to the community and the visitors to the site.

Below is the, yet to be approved, events list as per the public document in the DVC website:

Global, Local

Set back for Heritage listing

July 15, 2018 No Comments

DVC July Meeting Agenda Item 10.15 Senior Management Report (pg 209)

The Locations waiting for assessment and to be included on the National Heritage List states that the assessment process is not due for completion until mid 2019 for Willow Court and the local News Paper, the New Norfolk News reported that it was a “No go for Willow Court” a couple of days ago. New Norfolk News Article

The Derwent Valley Council, who are the custodians of the Heritage site, have received a 15 page report and will study the reasons given and distribute to Council and relevant Committees.

Heritage listings can take a couple of attempts according to other sites that have gone through this process, so even if the report has any truth, this is only another hurdle for the keen supporters to jump over.

Since the application in 2015, the support of the Universities of Manchester and Tasmania, plus the Archaeology Dept. at Flinders University have lent great support to the strong and ongoing calls for this site to be recognised.

Below is a letter of support from Eleanor Conlin Casella, Professor of Historical Archaeology at the University of Manchester UK after the Friends of Willow Court gave a tour on ANZAC Day this year.

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It is clear from this letter that Willow Court is of National Heritage significance due to it’s current state of preservation, clear community support and strong advocacy.

Global, Local

Heritage Festival round-up

June 21, 2018 3 Comments

Friends of Willow Court National Trust Heritage Festival Event 12 May 2018 –

Report from the Chairperson A Salt

The theme for this year’s National Trust Heritage Festival was My Culture My Story, with a focus on sharing the strengths of our local cultural identities.

The Friends of Willow Court invited the New Norfolk High School, the Derwent Valley Community House and the Derwent Valley Concert and Marching Band, Professor of History Hamish Maxwell-Stewart, Dr Helen Norrie and past Lachlan Park Hospital Education Dept. teacher Margaret Reynolds to participate in the event.

The displays included Willow Court artifacts loaned by DVC (Derwent Valley Council) and the HIC (History Information Centre), posters depicting various aspects of connections to Willow Court’s history, including a display depicting the establishment and activities of the Lachlan Park Hospital Auxiliary. New Norfolk High display included a portrait of 95 year old local identity Ken O’Brien who the students interviewed as part of a history project, and memorabilia from the high school.

Prof. Maxwell-Stewart presented talks on his research projects into Understanding Convict Records and Prisoners, Solitary Confinement and Psychiatric Admissions. Dr Norrie photographed Willow Court artifacts brought to the event by participants, and Margaret Reynolds talked about her experience as a teacher at Lachlan Park Hospital in 1963, and her actions that led to the establishment of a dedicated school building which is now the Community House.

History tours of the site were conducted throughout the day by Friends of Willow Court members with 133 people participating in the tours.

 A total of 209 people attended the event
 Visitors came from 27 different postcode districts in Tasmanian and three interstate
 $1710.00 total takings
 $1045 entry takings deposited in DVC Willow Court account.
 $655 takings from tours deposited in Friends of Willow Court account.
Costs incurred by Friends of Willow Court have yet to be calculated, but will exceed the takings from tours.

Derwent Valley Council Agenda – 21 June 2018 Page 247

Global, Local

More secret decisions from DVC about Willow Court

June 20, 2018 2 Comments

“Expressions of Interest” for the Heritage Precinct signs removed on the 31 May.

“In relation to the council-owned buildings on the site, Cr Shaw said an expression of interest process had recently concluded and a number of submissions had been reviewed. “A report to council is expected this month,” Cr Shaw said, noting that this was likely to be tabled in a closed council meeting due to confidentiality.” New Norfolk News 09.06.2018

More and more decisions are being made behind closed doors in the Derwent Valley Council and the above is yet another case. Willow Court is a Heritage location worthy of National Heritage listing (Currently being approved) and the Derwent Valley Council are the Custodians of our heritage and to see these important decisions being made without public consultation is of concern.

With closed doors again there is a concern that exiting Councillor’s will go along with decisions that are made by Councillors who are looking for a “quick fix” for their own re-election campaign due in October this year.

The Mayor was recorded as stating;

“Willow Court had been a millstone around the council’s neck for 18 years, costing ratepayers “a couple of hundred thousand dollars” a year” New Norfolk News 09.06.2018

Closed doors and attitudes towards Tasmania’s Heritage such as this is a concern for people interested in Tasmanian history and a seriously call to State and Federal Government to intervene is needed. There hasn’t been any entrepreneurial skills shown by the owners of the Heritage Precinct known as the Willow Court Barracks area and only a small number of groups have had access over the years.

Last month’s secret decisions were:

Australian Paranormal Investigation Unit – tours of Willow Court and Frescati House: Approved.

Tasmania’s Most Haunted – paranormal tours of Willow Court precinct: Approved.

Documentary film at Willow Court: Deferred for further information.

We will have to wait and see who has applied to use or buy the area and for what purpose.

Global, Local

Asylum secrets of Tasmania’s past – through embroidery

May 27, 2018 No Comments

From ABC Canberra we have an interview with Associate Professor of Cultural Heritage at the University of Canberra, Dr Tracy Ireland, and Honours student Danica Auld about the odd assortment of items that are revealing a glimpse into the world of those confined at one of Australia’s oldest psychiatric wards.

But how the aprons and old newspapers made their way from Tasmania to Canberra for further study is as intriguing as the items themselves.

Broadcast: Wed 23 May 2018, 4:00pm

Global, Local

NOT associated “Notice”

May 4, 2018 No Comments

“We are NOT associated with the, Derwent Valley Council, Friends of Willow Court or any paranormal groups”.

This has been on our website for the past two years and it is a clear statement that we are not joined to any of the groups mentioned. We will work with any group that promotes Willow Court in a positive and respectful manner.

Due to recent events it has become apparent that there are people who believe we are from the Friends of Willow Court, the Derwent Valley Council or a part of a number of Paranormal Groups who have an interest in Willow Court. We are also not connected to any of the current or past owners of the site. I have been informed that there is some confusion and people who are informing others that we have associated with some or all of these groups. While on occasions we will assist with the respectful and sensitive tours of the site, we do so ONLY ON INVITATION.

Global, Local

The Friends of Willow Court are on the search

May 4, 2018 No Comments

The Friends of Willow Court are on the search for memorabilia made in Occupational Therapy and Industrial Therapy at Willow Court/Royal Derwent/Lachlan Park Hospital.

They would like to photograph and record their source for future research projects. Garden gnomes, pegs, woolen rugs,bon bons, wooden stools with woven seats are amongst some of the items they would like to photograph.

They would love to see these items on 12 May at Willow Court.

Global, Local

Memories of the Derwent Valley – Celebrating our Community.

May 1, 2018 No Comments

The Historical Information Centre is holding an exhibition as part Heritage Festival titled Memories of the Derwent Valley – Celebrating our Community.
The exhibition will be officially opened on Friday 4th May with visiting hours 12:00pm – 4:00pm Thursday to Sunday until the 27th May 2018.
The project was assisted through Arts Tasmania by the Minister of the Arts.

Global, Local

Heritage Month Event

April 26, 2018 2 Comments

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Friends of Willow Court are on the search for memorabilia made in Occupational Therapy and Industrial Therapy at Willow Court/Royal Derwent/Lachlan Park Hospital.

They would like to photograph and record their source for future research projects. Garden gnomes, pegs, woolen rugs,bon bons, wooden stools with woven seats are amongst some of the items they would like to photograph.

They would love to see these items on 12 May at Willow Court.