Derwent Valley – Willow Court Tasmania

UPDATE ON WILLOW COURT

January 14, 2024 No Comments

Ongoing media attention and politics seems to be prevailing at New Norfolk about Tasmanians’ Willow Court:

7th November 2023 Media release Derwent Valley Council

Derwent Valley Council has terminated its lease with New Norfolk Distillery, effective immediately.
Council will now arrange inspections of the Alonnah, Occupational Therapy and Carlton buildings, including the exercise yards, to determine the state of the buildings and identify what maintenance works are required in order to make them safe and to prevent any further deterioration.

The outcome of these inspections will help Council consider the options for the future use of these buildings.

Willow Court has been part of New Norfolk’s history for over 200 years and Council is committed to its ongoing reimagining and revitalisation of this important asset. Development of a Heritage Interpretation Plan for the precinct, defines how Council, precinct partners and community stakeholders can communicate its heritage values and sensitively manage Willow Court’s story into the future.

The adaptive reuse and activation of Willow Court has already seen outcomes, such as the multi-million investment into the Corumbene Health Hub on the Avenue, and Sisters’ restoration work on the Ladies Cottage and Nurses Quarters, both currently in development.

Council will continue to seek opportunities that will ensure ongoing funding for the restoration, maintenance and activation of the site over the long term. We will continue to work with other leaseholders and land owners within this historic precinct to secure its future as an asset to our community.

https://www.derwentvalley.tas.gov.au/home/latest-news/statement-regarding-new-norfolk-distillery-lease

Another failed attempt to put ideas into action at the Willow Court Site. The history of the site and the people who have had ideas of it’s repurposing have been long. Unfortunately many ideas have failed to take off. We learnt that this idea for a rum distillery, tasting centre and conference facility was going to employ many locals, both in the construction phase and the on going running. Both haven’t eventuated. On the 7th November 2023 the Derwent Valley Council released the above media release and they have taken back control of Wards C, A and the Occupational Centre.

We learnt that the owner of the Distillery believed that the rent was going to be forfeited as in kind support. We also know that the owners believed that the buildings would be given to the company in kind. We also know that owners of the business believed that the water, power and sewage services would be connected by the council (rate payers) in kind. We also were made aware that the owners secured a 1.2 million dollar grant from the Liberal Government (outside of normal grant practices) and that one of the owners was a liberal Minister’s employee.

What we are not sure about is why the owners believed that the rate payer and tax payers would be funding their business and it’s expansion. This has been an idea and business proposal that follows on from many others who have has a similar outcome for various reasons. The Derwent Valley Council again suggested calling for expressions of interest, but this wasn’t adopted by the council at their December 2023 meeting.

Meanwhile a community group has held a community workshop that was heled to discuss what the community want from their building. The results of this workshop were shared with the council at a workshop. In between that time there has been a number of businesses applying for the use of Willow Court, including Tasmania’s Most Haunted”

A request to have access to the site from the group that started the community meeting was denied. The group call for a cohesive separate governance structure separate from the political influences of elected members of the council. This is a similar set up at Port Arthur, with the Port Arthur Authority. The new group consists of many people from a wide range of professional and business backgrounds with history in heritage, project management and governance to name a few.

The Willow Court Community Workshop group sent this update today:

14 January 2024

An update on the Willow Court Community Workshop.

The WCCW outcomes report was forwarded to the DVC on 5 December. On Friday 8 December, the council’s December meeting agenda was published online. One of the agenda items was the Expressions of Interest for Willow Court. This occurred before the WCCW group had time to present the outcomes of the workshop to councillors.

Group representatives met with the acting General Manager and Mayor the following week where we raised our concerns and it was suggested we could lodge an EOI. As it happened the EOI motion failed as it was not supported by councillors.
The WCCW group presented to the councillors at a workshop on Wednesday 10 January. Our PPT presentation is attached. In attendance were Crs. Justin Derksen, Peter Binny, Sarah Lowe, Philip Bingley, and Matt Hill, and the Mayor. Two councillors were apologies. One councillor officer was in attendance.

One of the main outcomes of the report to councillors was that the WCCW report outcomes be formally endorsed by the council so that we can move forward on the planning from the workshop outcomes, particularly towards an independent management structure for the Barracks precinct and for the inclusion of the co-design aspect of planning for Willow Court.

The council’s January meeting agenda came out on Friday 12 January. It has two items from business operators in the Willow Court Barracks precinct. One from Willow Court Tours (Tasmania’s Most Haunted) and one from the Agrarian Kitchen. These agenda items were prepared by the council before the WCCW group presented to the councillors on Wednesday evening.
Reading the background to each item there is mention of the council being approached at the end of last year, hence the attempt to get up the WC EOI motion at the December council meeting. These Willow Court business operators were aware of the WCCW.

One had been consulted in the early stages of planning and the other attended part of the community workshop.
Should there be any progress on these two agenda items at the council meeting on Thursday 18 January it will indicate the council is happy to stay on its merry-go-round of piecemeal decisions on the future of the Willow Court Barracks precinct, in the complete absence of a long term vision for what the site could be and a masterplan to ensure the site is developed and governed to its full potential, or in consideration of the WCCW outcomes and the valuable input of the many people who gave their time and knowledge to the workshop.

You can read the council’s meeting agenda (Click on Picture) will open in a separate window.

One of the outcomes of the WCCW was the request by participants to tour the council owned Willow Court buildings. The response to our enquiry from the acting General Manager was first that we needed to have a bona fide reason to access the buildings, and on Friday last week his response was that he wouldn’t let us tour the site today unless we had an understanding of building maintenance. He suggested a small group could tour the buildings on that basis to get an understanding of the issues and scope of what is required to make them habitable.
The workshop group will be meeting next week to discuss next steps.

So, the future for Willow Court is still as clear as it was when it first closed in 2000. The opportunity to hear the people and what they want from their site is still not clearly being heard by those whose job it is to manage this site on behalf of the owners, the people of Tasmania.

Global, Local

Nurse’s Quarters. New Owners.

October 4, 2023 No Comments

Article by Mike Kerr at the Derwent Valley Gazette 04.10.2023.

Global, Local

20th anniversary photo

December 4, 2020 No Comments

Royal Derwent Hospital and Boyer Paper Mill

Thanks to Pete Smith (Guest Speaker) last weekend for this wonderful photo of the hospital taken from Peppermint Hill in New Norfolk. It captures both the west (Willow Court Centre) and east sides (RDH) of the hospital but also the other major employer at the time in the Derwent Valley, the Australian Boyer Paper Mill.

Global, Local

Alexander Laing Report

June 3, 2017 2 Comments

On Sunday May the 14^th 2017 the Derwent Valley was alive with the sound of music. It might seem a little cliché, but what better way to describe the complimentary sounds of guitar and violin echoing around the valley. The valley and some of the many heritage listed homesteads, churches and significant locations such as Willow Court, played host to people from all over Tasmania. First of its kind here in the valley the day showcased many nineteenth century Australian bush style folk tunes written by Alexander Laing.

Originally from Scotland, Laing was sentenced to seven years for stealing and transported to Sydney before moving to Van Diemen’s Land at the age of twenty-three. On receiving a ticket of leave, Laing went on to become Chief Constable of Police in Sorrell, Richmond and New Norfolk. Musically minded, Laing played the violin and wrote over sixty original compositions. Recently uncovered by retired Port Arthur historian Peter MacFie, these once popular pieces are again evoking the imaginations of Tasmanians here in the valley.

Played at their place of inspiration by the energising Sorrell based trio the ‘Green Hills Gathering’ the program consisted of an exciting variance of waltzes, hornpipes, marches and jigs each played with devotion to the composer’s intent. The assertive and vibrant melodies had the audience tapping their toes and bobbing their heads with the music. Even the frogs and kookaburras in the picturesque setting of Glenleith joined in with their own choral contribution. With so many standout tunes it was hard to pick a crowd favourite though the Tasmanian Waltz played at Tasmania’s oldest church, St. Matthews was of particular appeal for its patriotic quality, dedicated to the renaming of Tasmania in 1856.

Organised and proudly presented by the Friends of Willow Court, the dedicated members were pleased to provide specialised commentary highlighting the rich history of the Derwent Valley, including the Barracks at Willow Court where Laing occupied the role of Upper Wardsman. The site which is rarely open to the public, offered an ambience reminiscent of colonial times with many tunes dedicated to Dr Huston and his family. Additionally during his time at Willow Court Laing wrote a testimonial acknowledging Huston’s preference for non violence and threatening care of asylum patients. The tour included an historical walk around the heritage listed gardens and Frascati House where Huston and his family resided. Guests were greeted to a mini market of locally crafted items and members of the Frascati House Committee were there to share their abundance of knowledge and insight of Frascati’s history.

Reminders of Tasmania’s rich colonial history can be found in the numerous historical buildings and streetscapes of the Derwent Valley. A particular highlight of the tour included St. Pauls Uniting Church where Laing’s children were baptised. In an effort to right old wrongs, Laing acknowledged his loyalty to the crown by naming his children after British royalty. Unique to many, the church was of particular appeal for its well preserved original furnishings. The wooden cedar pews and brass pipe floor heating stealing the limelight of the show. The audience did well to ad heed the advice of the Royal Marines who gingerly warned “If you smell something burning, it is just your sole”.

With so many sites to visit and two bus loads full of enthusiasts the red coated Royal Marines ensured the day ran smoothly. This representation, being free from the traumatic aspects of the war, instead offered an artistic revival of the Derwent Rifles, who were a volunteer rifle company who paraded in New Norfolk during the mid 1800’s. With rifles left at the door, the Lachlan Hall, dressed for a Mother’s Day luncheon was well prepared for the hungry onslaught.

Guests became acquainted over a hearty meal of soups and sandwiches, and in the process identified connections to family, locations and Alexander Laing himself. On stage the string ensemble gathered to the admiration of the crowd. The lively trio entertained once again with a colourful array of allegro marches dedicated to the Derwent Rifles.

The successful day concluded with a momentous performance at the impressive homestead Glen Derwent. Formally the Elwin Hotel the property has a rich history telling the story of Irish leader William Smith O’Brien who resided at the property until his release in 1854. The congregation collected in the Oast House where the acoustics of the small stone building inevitably changed the sound of the music, creating an electrifying climax to the day’s adventures.

The autumn colours and country cottage flowers delivered a lovely backdrop for a garden tea party of scones and jam. Guests mingled and reflected on the days events. Members of the Friends of Willow Court were inundated with compliments acknowledging how the Fiddle Excursion had exceeded all expectations. Guests especially looked forward to the prospect of similar excursions in the future.

Delighted to receive the positive and rewarding feedback on the day’s achievements, the Friends of Willow Court were also pleased to have raised funds for the Willow Court Restoration Fund, and acknowledge and thank all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the event.

For more images click below

Open Days & Events

My thanks to Nadia Lobb for this report and images.

Global, Local

1959 Map of Lachlan Park Hospital

November 23, 2016 No Comments

Map New Norfolk 1959 click here

This map was measured in “scale of chains” and drawn by E. W. N. Butcher in 1866. It was then changed in 1904, 1938 and 1948. If you zoom in you can read the then current land title holders names. The map shows the land that was acquired for the expansion of the ever increasing needs for hospital under the medical model of treatment. This massive growth was demanded throughout the hospitals history and later became one of the reasons, along with changing ideas, for the downfall of the medical model of treatment. The map also includes the township of New Norfolk and sections of the town on the opposite side of the Derwent River. The site still remains unusual in this location close to a township, as most Asylums were located away from populated areas and therefore the two histories are and will remain closely linked.

http://blog.landregistry.gov.uk/a-scale-of-chains-measurement-and-surveying/