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The last 10 photos are from this weekends working bee to finish off the fence and gates and WOW they look fantastic with a coat of pitch and kero. Well done Guys and Girls.
Willow Court in the Mercury
Its not all smooth sailing for “Morgue Hotel”, both Anne Salt and Margaret Reynolds are making their feelings known. The announcement of a pending Apology to those housed at Willow Court and Royal Derwent Hospital by The Minister Cassy O’Connor a few weeks ago is in gross contrast to this development. While the developer has bought a wonderful atmosphere to the old buildings and small businesses enjoy the patronage and add to the village theme, it is hard to say what damage can be done by going for “shock value”.
“Walking Through Time”
Recently the Derwent Valley Council received confirmation that it had been successful in its application for a grant from the Australian Government’s Your Community Heritage Program. This grant is for the amount of $11,363.64, with Council supplying some cash matching and inkind support. The amount of $10,000 is required for cash matching from the DVC, of the Australian Government Grant, this funding is available from and has been budgeted for in the current budget grant funding reserve.
In the latest minutes the setting up of a working group, comprising of identified stakeholders and Councillors for the purpose of expending the Australian Government’s “Your Community Heritage Grant Program” Grant was agreed to.
“Walking Through Time” program will facilitate the development of the walking tour (with signage) and podcast (or similar) and will call upon a representative from each of the following committees of Council.
- • The Historical Information Centre Special Committee
- • New Norfolk Business Alliance
- • Friends of Frascati Community Garden
- • The Willow Court Conservation Special Committee
- • Tynwald Park Development Committee
- • Friends of Willow Court
- • Spatial Planning Review Committee
- • Rivers Run Tourism Association
Willow Court Shopping Village Gates
The Gates that Haydn & Penny Pearce bought from England are being installed today. Leading off The Avenue into the privately owned Willow Court Shopping Village this will give the public two access points to the many new businesses in the shopping village.
Trades people are working today to straighten the gates and install them onto the newly placed posts, despite cold, wet and forecast snow down to the 700m level conditions, it is hoped that they will be installed before the open day at the Barracks on the 18th November 2012.
The second working bee to restore the original Willow Court Gates will happen this weekend, weather permitting.
New Photos or should I say old photo
Gates of Willow Court Pre 1935
Here is a picture of Willow Court and the original gates. Building of Myrtle Ward has begun top left and there are no buildings around the oval.
Open day 18th November
A planning meeting was held tonight for the open day that will be held on November 18th. I am excited with the possibilities and program of events. The Community House will have their swap meeting and Haydn Pearce will have some activities also, so it will be a big day in the valley!
I will get the news out as quickly as possible. Next meeting November 8th and then 15th. Three tour guides arranged and confirmed already, a drama in the Barracks and Art displays by Artists living with disabilities etc etc.
Cheers
Mark Krause
Morgue development, Llewellyn announces “A Site of Conscience”
ABC News tonight had a report that Haydn Peace, owner of the Morgue at Willow Court will now renovate and set this place up as an accommodation. This area is privately owned. The Morgue has served the Derwent Valley Community up until the closure of the institution, it was also believed to have served as an over flow for Hobart during the Port Arthur massacre.
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David Llewellyn announced that Willow Court is a “Site of Conscience” on ABC Radio today, while David is happy to have businesses and people occupy the area because it adds to the security of the area. He refused to endorse or be drawn to comment about Haydn Pearce’s idea, instead he gave an update of the works on the Council owned areas by some members of the Friends of Willow Court and some options that were on the table for future development.
Radio interview copyright ABC Local. Interviewer: Leon Compton
Committee Nomination Forms (Friends of Willow Court)
Want to get involved in the sensitive and respectful restoration of Willow Court? Here is your opportunity, download and print the nomination form and return to the General Manager Stephen Mackey DVC via this email address; executiveassistant@dvc.tas.gov.au
Even if you just want to volunteer at the working bees, you will need to be on this committee as a non executive committee member to obtain the insurance cover that is offered by DVC. Those interested in being on the executive or committee should forward their nomination no later than Friday 2 November 2012.
Need to talk about it? mark@willowcourttasmania.org
Visiting Guests tour Willow Court Complex
Dr Caroline Evans, from Australian Catholic University and Sarah Green, from the University of Melbourne, both working on the Find and Connect web resource www.findandconnect.gov.au, toured through the Willow Court Complex with Conservation Committee Member Anne McKinstray today. The Find and Connect web resource is for people who were raised in children’s institutions, which includes Willow Court, even though it was mostly for adults. The web resource has information on it that may help people reconnect with their families. It also provides histories and photos of children’s institutions and information about historical records related to them. The tour assists in understanding the context of the type of institutionalisation that took place. Audio is HERE
New audio interview with former resident Geoffrey, who helped out with restoration of the Willow Court gates
6th October 2012 Working Bee at the gates of Willow Court Tasmania, former Resident, Geoffrey came to visit and helped us out with some safety tips and told me about some of his life inside Willow Court and outside. How apt to have a former resident visiting us to offer his advice at the first restoration working bee at the entrance to his former home. *LANGUAGE WARNING*