Meeting of the “Friends of Willow Court Committee” this Thursday at the Community Centre, The Avenue, New Norfolk at 7pm.
Dr Dianne Snowden Profile
Dr Dianne Snowden was appointed as an ex officio member of the new Conservation Committee. She brings a wealth of historical knowledge and expertise to the committee. She is a Hobart-based geneaological researcher and historian and has been a member of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council since June 2008. She is also a Consultant to the Professional Historians Association (Tasmania) Inc and is the Convenor of the Friends of the Orphan Schools St John’s Park Precinct.
Dianne is an historian who has made a significant contribution to the field of historic heritage. She is a member of the Board of the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania), the Board of the Female Factory Historic Site and a member of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council. Dianne has a particular interest in the history of convict women and their children, reflected in her work on the Orphan School, St John’s Park Precinct. She is an Honorary Research Associate at UTAS and conducts an annual Winter School there on researching family history.
“I am particularly interested not only in making records widely available and easily accessible to the public but also in educating users in understanding the potential of the records and how to use them effectively. I have a particular interest in seeing that significant groups of records are preserved for future research. I also value the promotion of Australian history, especially 20th century Australian history, to schools and tertiary institutions.”
We believe that Dr. Dianne Snowden will be a real asset to the Conservation Committee.
Tender to connect power to site
Today’s Mercury has an advertisement calling for tenders to connect power to the Willow Court site. this has been the next big step that is needed at Willow Court. It will secure the site, allow someone to live nearby or at the site for added security and it will also allow reconstruction, restoration and exhibits to take place. Well done to the Conservation Committee and the DVC for moving so fast on this very basic by important step forward, it’s yet another good news story.
Cheers
Mark
Staff log book from 1928 found
An old leather bound Willow Court (1928) staff log book has been found after looking through a family member’s estate. This has been offered to display at Willow Court. It would be wonderful to see artefacts return to a place where they will be safe and sensitivety displayed. We hope that this will happen with the Conservation Committee soon and thank the donor for that offer.
Events Calendar (draft)
Still waiting for approval from the Conservation Committee and then the Friends of Willow Court Committee will be all action. It is so good to have a good news story and see there is action and activities in the future at Willow Court.
New Audio Podcast
Paul Mayne talks us through the wards of Willow Court (west) and what it was like to live in a community that has an Asylum as one of the main employers. Later he became an employee and saw many changes to what was a large institution, changes for Staff and Residents (Patients) alike. He also talks about workplace culture and fitting in to a multi-generational community and workplace. The development of skills and training for the residents was one of those big changes from a medical model of having everything done for you to learning about choice all had its start at Willow Court.
https://willowcourttasmania.org/audio-documentaries/
Samantha Bulmer Collection
A new gallery collection of photos, thanks to Samantha Bulmer for permission to upload and share your work.
AGM Report
Two important motions were moved at this meeting,
1) that the money raised from open days is forwarded to the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee and
2) The Memorandum of Understanding between the WCBWG and the DVC in regard to the making of a film is the responsibility of the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee.
Another meeting will occur Wednesday night 6.30 at the Community Centre New Norfolk, Chaired by Stephen MacKey General Manager DVC.
For those that maybe wondering why one committee is closed and another has started, this is following the Business Plan and Development Plan prepared by Malcolm MacDonald and Associates found on the website at: https://willowcourttasmania.org/documents/
Polytechnic display
The Certificate 3 Disability Studies students put together a wonderful display from their recent Willow Court two day tour. There has been a lot of sensitive thought that has gone into the works which are on display in the Clarence Library at the Polytechnic. Well done guys, I’m impressed. People from the Disability Industry are welcome to visit the Campus and stroll through the work.
Cheers
Mark
Tree Cut
That wonderful large Gum tree infront of the community centre has been cut down. It was a huge tree and came across The Avenue and had to be cut so traffic could pass by.