Proposed events at Willow Court

The current agenda for the Derwent Valley Council has some interesting and exciting proposals that are up for discussion and consideration for the Councilors. The first is on page 40 of the 113 page agenda for a meeting held on the 15th September 2016.

In this proposal Associate Professor Heather Burke from Flinders University is looking for joint support for the archaeological works that are planned in 2017 through til 2022. There are plans for respectful engagement with community. The research aims are:

Staff uniform, Peace collection
Staff uniform, Peace collection

better understanding of the day to day life of patients and staff in the 19th and 20th centuries, the development of long and short term interpretive materials, community engagement, developing links between the site and other convict institutions and those portions of the site that are privately owned and training in techniques and processes for students.

The project has been designed along research lines to answer a number of research questions; focusing across a number of broad areas including:-

• The use of space and how this changed over time;
• Changes to the physical structures;
• Changes to medical treatments;
• Conditions for staff;
• The relationship between staff and patients and their experiences, and;
• The interactions and lives of individual patients in relation to their daily lives at Willow Court and Frascati.

A brief indicative timetable has been provided for the works to be undertaken each February between 2017 – 2022. The project outline for 2017 includes underfloor excavation and surface collection of materials in sections the Barracks, verandah and Ladies Cottage.

As there is a possibility of contamination due to some of the activities previously undertaken in part of the site, a soil analysis has been requested prior to any underfloor activities being undertaken, this will help to ensure the safety of those people involved in underfloor excavations. An estimate of costs involved has been provided.

Due to the means of construction, it will be necessary to lift the floor in certain sections of the Barracks building to allow access, and estimate for this work has been provided by a suitably qualified person. The lifting and reinstatement of the floor could form part of forward works for any restorations to be undertaken in that part of the building. The requests contained in the above recommendation are for works to be carried out in the 2017 year only, future works will be the subject of further recommendations.

The proposal includes public engagement activities and open days (with dates to be finalised), included in this request is assistance from Council regarding public engagement in these days and funding for advertising the open days etc. Council may wish to have further discussions with Associate Professor Burke regarding the detail of the proposed open days.

Although work is not proposed to start until February 2017, this recommendation has been submitted to allow time for the preparation of all required heritage and other approvals.
Council may wish to request that copies of these documents and a more detailed project plan be submitted prior to the commencement of archaeological works.

10.6 Archaeological Work at Willow Court and Frascati – Request for support
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council:-
1. Provide in principal support for future archaeological works under the supervision of
Associate Professor Burke to be undertaken at Willow Court and Frascati until 2022;
2. Provide the following assistance as requested by Associate Professor Burke for the
proposed works to be undertaken in February 2017:-
a. Marquees (or similar), tables and chairs to be used as shelter areas on the site,
for the display of materials and for students to undertake public engagement
activities;
b. Possible assistance with community engagement, including but not limited to
funding advertising regarding open days etc.;
c. Funding for interpretation materials , this may be a longer term project and
will be dependent upon what is discovered during the excavation period;
d. A secure storage area for any artifacts;
e. Possible assistance with the removal of dirt and debris after items of
archaeological significance have been removed;
f. A space for dirt that has bee removed to be sifted and examined, possibly the
small cement yard between the Barracks and C Ward;
g. A portion of costs associated with the removal of and reinstatement or
replacement of floorboards in the Barracks;
h. The cost of soil testing in the underfloor area to be excavated at the Barracks;
i. Accommodation for up to fifteen people for up to two weeks;
j. Barricading and coverings for trenches etc. to ensure public safety during this
period, and;
k. Back filling of excavations between field seasons.
3. Request a more detailed plan providing additional information regarding the nature
of the public engagement to be undertaken;
4. Be provided with a document detailing the finding following the completion of the
2017 field school.

asylumThe second proposal is for a paranormal tour investigation. 

 

 

 

The proponents, it is believed have no formal qualifications in the areas of,
ethics,
science,
tourism,
workplace health and safety including risk assessment or
business.

Previous statements from representatives of the Derwent Valley Council have talked about a “professional approach” to the future activities on the site and the plans for the Agrarian Kitchen to take up a lease (signed lease 2-9-16) in the old Bronte Ward early in 2017 and the installation of Mike Parr’s work during Dark Mofo are proof that this is the line that is succeeding.

The proposal also calls for the rate payers to subsides the insurance on this event. This event is also to coincide with the release of a documentary which depicts previous residents and staff as “other than human”. This film was approved, funded and insured by the Derwent Valley Council in 2012.

Please read our position statement to these events  HERE

8-sept-2016-special-meeting-agenda

8-sept-2016-special-meeting-agenda-2

8-sept-2016-special-meeting-agenda-3

The third proposal is from John Davidson and is part of the worldwide Photowalk program for people wishing to take photos with other like-minded professionals and amateurs alike.

photowalkDate: 1 October 2016
Purpose: 50 persons participating in 2016 Worldwide Photowalk event.

photo-walk

6The last proposal is from the Friends of Willow Court and members of the Derwent Valley Players. The Friends of Willow Court had submitted a list of activities and has been waiting for some time for a reply from Council. Two plays are planned for November this year.

fowc-event-request

Three of these events will showcase the site and its history respectfully and I’m looking forward to hearing if the DVC can get the approval process in place within the time lines. It’s a bit strange that this hasn’t happened already?

 

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Site still unsafe?

signs-hazard-clipart-best-bhpriz-clipart

In an updated 2016 plan, the Derwent Valley Council were informed that the old Royal Derwent Hospital site may pose significant health risks. These are asbestos within the buildings, building rubble and in an undisclosed dumping site on the property. Other issues are undeclared flood prone areas and two dump sites which it still remains unclear if biological hazards were placed.

plan-rdh-wc-2016

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New Rare Document

Early Training Report

The language used in this report may not be considered appropriate today.

Thanks to Michelle Eastwood transcription services we have an easier to read version of a hand written report I received  a year ago. This is an interesting report because the staff were trying something the Hospital system hadn’t tried before and was an interesting experiment which clearly paid dividends both for the”boys and staff”. I have attempted to date this document in a number of ways:

The author mentioned Lachlan Park Hospital (1937-1968)

The names of each of the boys was attached, but for privacy has been removed but are still known to me.

I have a survey dated 1975 in which I have the names and wards of each of the “boys” and their dates of admission and the length of stay at the time of the survey.

I would date this document between 1965-68.

The days routine within a Ward is explained and the issues with overcrowding described in the context of the work that was being attempted. Mostly what is explained here is the success of the hard work of a dedicated team of staff to develop the skills and therefore the Independence of each of the “boys”.

The interesting thing in this document is that the modern skill development guru for people living with an intellectual disability was Dr Marc Gold.

The language used in this film may not be considered appropriate today.

What we see here are a group of people at Lachlan Park Hospital trying what had not been developed as a full theory until the mid to late 1970’s. The mentioned survey above reports that even though this skill development was successful the results report that the “boys” returned to the Wards where skill development wasn’t common.

 

 

 

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Ghost tours, a study

Ghost Tours as a Form of Alternative Tourism 18 pages

This article looks at Ghost tourism in all the different dimensions and names. It often refers to a historic place as an important part of the experience, Port Arthur comes to mind here in Tasmania and only concentrates on the older inhabitants and not the more recent murders. Staff will quickly divert back to their tour guidelines if customers inquire, as recent history (twenty years ago) is considered inappropriate. Willow Court closed 16 years ago.

Below is the conclusion, however the full document is an interesting read of what people expect during such experiences. One of the papers that the Derwent Valley Council instigated with Government funds stated that this shouldn’t be an area of activity at this site based on the fact that there was a huge amount of competition in this limited market and even more limited in the paranormal enthusiast market.

ghost tours

CONCLUSIONS

I found that the presence of a historic perspective plays an important role in ghost tours, in several ways. Quite often, ghost tour guides, ghost hunters, and paranormal organizations are aligned with historical societies. Guides have also expressed an interest in history, rooted in their formative years. A historic background is considered crucial to paranormal investigations. The research and use of historic narratives gives a face to haunted happenings; alternatively, it can serve to debunk some reported hauntings (e.g., older buildings have faulty wiring, creaking walls, etc.). History is also an important part of storytelling, contributing to hauntings’ narratives. Also, historically ­inspired costumes may be said to add to tours’ immersive quality. By extension, tour participants are becoming a part of the sites’ history; their experiences during the tour give them an embodied sense of history, especially when they have their own stories to add to the tour. In addition to other aspects shared with mainstream tourism, such as sightseeing, escapism and entertainment value, ghost tour participants are interested in the presentation of historical information during tours. Ghost hunters share common interests with ghost tour guides and participants, but they encounter potentially haunted places in an alternative way, emphasizing freedom of space, in­depth information, and a sense of community among fellow group ­members.

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The Agrarian Kitchen @ Willow Court

IMAG1041
The Friends of Willow Court Committee were honoured to have the company of Rodney Dunn at the 2016 annual general meeting. Rodney is the owner of the Derwent Valley favourite and world famous ‘Agrarian Kitchen’ situated in Lachlan. Renowned for his gourmet expertise, delightful old -world cooking school and neighbourly connections for fresh ingredients Rodney shares his plans for a new eatery and shop within Willow Court. The newly renovated Bronte building within the council owned section of Willow Court presents an appealing, relaxed and historically significant atmosphere for a choice dining experience.

It has been a foresight of the Friends of Willow Court of the sites potential for tourism and educational opportunities. Rodney explains the eatery’s location within the picturesque setting of the valley will provide an idyllic destination for functions and travellers to dine. The eatery and shop will show case locally sourced produce and highlight specialist kitchen equipment. Diners will enjoy the taste of the valley with a finely crafted menu. The site has room for expansion or as Rodney envisions a partnership with a boutique brewery.

Excited by the prospect of tourism to the site, committee members still held concerns for how the new eatery would engage the public with the historical memories and stories of the site. It was discussed and subsequently agreed upon that the sites rich heritage be preserved through interpretation. Rodney is eager to work with Friends of Willow Court, the Derwent Valley Council and the Willow Court History Group to implement interpretive panels within the eatery that will feature key stories that will connect the past to the present.

13918867_1055639651149970_1036875824_oThe new Agrarian Kitchen will reinvigorate the Willow Court historic Precinct with a modern dining experience for locals and visitors alike. Through interpretation the Friends of Willow Court Committee will help to develop a sophisticated respect and connection with the sites heritage to promote education and a more informed future.

By Nadia Lobb

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Friends of Willow Court AGM

476 (c) 2016 Anne Salt (Chairperson Friends of Willow Court) volunteering on the wall at the Willow Court restoration project.

On Thursday the 4th August the Friends of Willow Court had their Annual General Meeting which is open to the public. I attended and was allowed to record the Chairperson’s report. Mrs Anne Salt read out the years activities that the committee participated in or arranged. She also gave thanks to Haydn and Penny Pearce, Bernie and Janine Clifford for their support during the Heritage Month tours.

There was also a presentation from Mr Rodney Dunn. Mr Dunn showed the gathered committee his plans for an extension to his already highly successful business, the Agrarian Kitchen. (podcast to come later). Mr Dunn is keen to work with the Friends of Willow Court and the Willow Court History Group once the Derwent Valley Council finalise their long processes for a lease on the Bronte Building.

 

 

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Elizabeth Dax

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting the daughter of Eric Cunningham Dax at the Dax Centre attached to the University of Melbourne. Before our meeting Elizabeth Dax AM; MD, BS; PhD GAICD was lecturing a student group about mental health and the intersection of art.

IMAG1369I was given a tour of the storage and preparation facility and the Dax Museum. There are over 17,000 pieces of art created by people who have experience mental health issues, trauma, war or deep lose.

IMAG1354Some of the collection was gathered by Doctor Dax during his employment in Tasmania as the senior mental health expert. He also regionalised mental health services throughout Tasmania and extensively modified practices at the Royal Derwent Hospital. This was inline with his earlier, 1962 report to the Tasmanian Government about a modern approach to mental health.

This idea was the Psycho-social model which had been practiced and taught in the UK for sometime, mostly with good results. There were a number of staff at the hospital that were from the UK or some local people who training in the UK before return to Tasmania and taking part in training other staff and regionalising services throughout the state.

We had favorable discussions about some of the works returning to Tasmania at some stage for display. Elizabeth was very interested in hearing my proposal. More news as and when I know more.

 

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Dark MOFO Time Lapse

Toward the last days of Mike Parr’s exhibition and standing in the cold, I started to witness for the first time the sun setting behind the hills of the 1827 Barracks Building and the array of dim incandescent light bulbs that lite the building in a soft yellow glow, highlighting the sandstone colour. I placed the camera on the ground and set it to time lapse and watched as people mill about from door to door, building to building.

httpv://youtu.be/c4Qi_rjLPEY

 

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New Paypal donate button

This website has been running since 2012 and has been funded from my own private funds and lots of volunteer work from willing people who have contributed by including research, transcription services, information technology consultations, historical consultations and free use of a range of equipment for recording oral histories and videos.

The costs have risen with the Australian dollar’s decline and as a result we have inserted a Paypal donation button. The money raised will completely, 100% be used for the hosting and research for this site.

Please consider a donation of $5.00 AU to keeping this work publicly available for education and continually informing our community about the history of Willow Court.

[wpecpp name=”Make a Donation” price=”$5.00″ align=”right”]

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‘Understanding Resilience through the Frame of Madness’  

“Woman,  you  seem  to  want  to  create  a  disturbance”1   By Nicola  Goc  

“Paper  presented  at  FCRC  Seminar  May  2013.  This  paper  is  a  draft  the  author  is   continuing  to  develop  this  research.  For  any  queries  please  contact  the  author”

This is a paper by Nicola Goc who has researched in some detail the lives of women sent to the asylum at New Norfolk in the early to mid 1800’s.  It talks about treatments and conditions in the Colonies early history.

Some of the knowledge comes from Dr. G. Crabb’s collection of medical knowledge in the book, “The History of Lachlan Park”.

In this paper she explores the use of an “electric machine” which was used here at the Hospital before it was used and recorded in the history books for the well established English Hospitals.

Electrical machine

Nicola Goc Madness 24 pages.

 This  paper  looks  at  the  concept  of  ‘resilience’  through  the  frame  of  ‘madness’.  It  draws   upon  primary  historical  documents,  namely  a  nineteenth  century     New  Norfolk  Lunatic Asylum  Casebook  HSD246/1/2  Female  (mental)  (Volume  No.  3),  and  secondary  sources   to  address  two  key  questions:  

1. Were  the  convict  women  admitted  to  New  Norfolk  Asylum  suffering  from   insanity/mania/amentia  as  a  result  of  hereditary  factors,  criminality,  moral  and  physical   degeneracy  and  a  low  social  status  –  or  was  their  mental  state  a  combination  of  factors   including  an  emotional  response  to  the  trauma  of  forced  migration?    

2. How  was  female  ‘insanity’  understood  and  managed  in  the  penal  and  medical   institutions  of  colonial  Van  Diemen’s  Land?   

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