Chris Salt – Willow Court Tasmania

It has been a big weekend at Willow Court and the place was buzzing today and yesterday with anyone who has a passion for the place. Friday started early for some and was the accumulation of months of research and sourcing of information, personal stories, interviews, meetings, rehearsals and the extensive hunting for authentic items for display and for costumes for the drama. The Governor of Tasmania Professor Kate Warner opened the Friends of Willow Court Display and Play which were advertised during the Tasmanian Heritage Month. Along with invited guests she looked through the professional display which was an intersection between the lives of people who served in conflicts or behind in the local community effort and the Lachlan Park Hospital’s history and the lives that these people had before, after and during such conflict. Limited themes were chosen which told this story and also the story of the consequences of such conflict and the care and compassion of others. The generous support of many people and businesses has to be acknowledged because without this community effort this wouldn’t have happened. A special thank you to those families that allowed us to respectfully tell the stories of their loved ones, patient and worker alike. Of particular interest to me was the story of returned serviceman Bruce McLean, who’s story of life within Millbrook Rise post WWII was told and while Bruce wasn’t the only person to return after conflict and time incarcerated as a prisoner of war, his is one of the limited stories we have permission to share.