Derwent Valley Council – Page 9 – Willow Court Tasmania

Eric Hutchinson

September 9, 2013 2 Comments

Today I wrote to the Member (elect) for Lyons Mr Eric Hutchinson to talk about Willow Court and his support level for the restoration both physical and social of the site. He has also been invited to tour the site with Mr Brett Noble the Senior Project Manager to discover what a hidden gem exists in the electorate that he is about to be the representative for.

I hope that he will take the time to answer and also to take up the offer of a tour. As a site of such historical value in Australia it is important that Willow Court have the active support of the Federal Member of Parliament.

I look forward to his early reply.

Mark Krause

Local

DVC Mayor and GM respond to questions about Willow Court

August 7, 2013 1 Comment

The Mayor clarifies the ownership of the Willow Court Tunnel in answering Cr Bester’s questions in April’s Council meeting of the Derwent Valley Council.

The Mayor advised that he was of the view that as the tunnel is on private land Council would have minimal controls on its usage, but if it was utilised to access the tunnel in Crown or Council Land the situation may be different.

Cr. Bester who is a strong supporter of the joint production of the Paranormal Film shot at Willow Court is keen on knowing the result of the outcome with the state’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and the Mayor answers as follows.

The Mayor advised that he would ask the General Manager to forward a copy of the correspondence to all councillors.

The General Manager of the Derwent Council answers a question about being flexible in the re-zoning arrangements to accommodate the buildings proponents of the oval precinct.

The General Manager advised that the simple answer was yes. Also changes to the zoning and also to the Conservation Management plan were done to achieve more flexibility in regard to being able to consider a commercial development on site.

Global, Local

Another letter to the Editor

August 1, 2013 No Comments

Another letter has appeared in the Mercury from an ex-staff member and Chairwoman of the Friend’s or Willow Court today. Speaking on her own behalf Anne has brought up some interesting points about the site and it’s history, policy and an apology. She also speaks candidly about the joint Council and APIU film that was created and shares concern about it’s appropriateness in the current light.

Willow Court Advocacy Group has also had a stance against the Paranormal film. While many of us are happy that this hobby and past time be pursed, we prefer that it’s not done at the expense of people living with disabilities who called Willow Court\Lachlan Park home.

The suggestion to join the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience is still a very good alternative to what’s happening right now. It would recognise the past struggles and assist to lay an ethical framework around the telling of Willow Court’s history. That will inform people today so that the human right will not be forgotten for our future. Well done Anne.

Sites of Conscience Website

Global, Local

Restoration Gauge

July 31, 2013 No Comments

Well, restoration has started so we thought we would measure the restoration and prompt restorers and decision makers about the Social History that also needs to be restored and protected. While it is fantastic to have the physical history started we all need to be aware that the social history also needs just as much effort as the physical.

What do we mean by social history? A view of historical events seen in terms of social trends.

Over the 173 years of operation Willow Court and all the other names this institution was known by, has a wealth of social history that needs to be told, shared and archived.

We can gather all this history and store it for future generations to understand our history in this context.

Books, audio recordings, photos and film are all mediums that can record these wonderful stories. If you have been told stories from past generations, that is important to share as part of our history.

After a conversation with a New Norfolk resident and business owner earlier this year I recorded a podcast. He told me that he had never worked at Willow Court or Royal Derwent Hospital but what he described to me was a totally integrated community that had a special perspective of the life and times of the Workforce and Patients that called Willow Court home. Ken’s Story and link to the podcast

Please if you are asked to tell your story, check the credentials of the person you are communicating too, ask:

Where is this going to be stored?

Where is this going to be used?

Who is going to listen to this?

Will the recorder of this information be respectful to the sensitive nature of the Social History?

This article can be used as a basis for your decision to communicate your story. Willow Court Living Memory Report

Global

News Release

July 30, 2013 No Comments

WILLOW COURT BARRACKS PRECINCT RENEWAL WORKS July 2013 Media Release

“Restoration work on Willow Court will be moving to a higher and more exciting level over the next few months ”Chairman of the Derwent Valley Councils Willow Court Conservation Special Committee David Llewellyn said today. “The work on repairing the windows at Bronte has brought the building to life again, but there is much more to do.”

The Committee at its July meeting concluded an “Expressions of interest process” for work on The Barracks, Bronte and landscaping surroundings of the heritage precinct. The successful proponent was Xsquared Architects, incorporating Inspiring Place and the Centre for Heritage at Oatlands. Xsquared was selected after a rigorous assessment from a very competitive field of contenders and will lead a group of experienced specialists in oversighting the next restoration stage of works. “Our focus now is to finalise works approvals with the various regulatory bodies and to invite comments from the New Norfolk community.” David Llewellyn said. “We want public input into the plans and we also want the public and local community to get involved in the current works. David Llewellyn again emphasised that local contractors have already been used on current works and local contractors will be actively pursued for the new works once approvals secured.

Restoration works on The Barracks will start very soon, including repairs to exterior and interior elements of the building, and opening up other rooms.
Willow Court is a nationally recognised heritage precinct, of great importance to the region and nation. The most historic of the many buildings that make up the site is The Barracks, built around 1830. The Barracks was built as Tasmania’s first hospital for invalid convicts but soon was exclusively used as a ‘lunatic asylum’. “The project is an excellent example of collaboration between local, State and Federal governments, and I am keen to build on that collaborative effort in order to see full use of the buildings at Willow Court”, David Llewellyn reiterated.

Media Contact: David Llewellyn 0418122048

Global

A bit of TLC to the Oval Precinct

July 23, 2013 No Comments

[nggallery id=15]

*Four new pictures 23/7/13*

A bit of tender love and care shown to the wards on the oval precinct have clearly shown benefits. Now in private hands the Wards all were in a state of disrepair and poorly managed by the previous owner, the Derwent Valley Council. It is hoped as part of the sale of these wonderful buildings that contain such memories there has been an archaeological dig to find any precious artifact such as those found in J Ward last month (Old Story). It would be considered due diligence when dealing with the sale of historic properties that such a dig is undertaken externally and internally but I haven’t heard of the Council following common practice in this matter. I have never seen the Derwent House sign look like that!

You can take the audio tour through these wards with Anne McKinstray here

Global, Local

New look articles page

July 9, 2013 No Comments

If you have any documents that would interest our members and you would like to share them please send us a message through the “contact us” tab Click Here . Here is the new look page with links to articles, reports, letters and publications about our Willow Court.

Click Here

Local

Willow Court Media Release

July 2, 2013 No Comments

The Derwent Valley Council has put a media release up on their website well after the community already knew about it nearly two weeks earlier. It would appear that the Council is better at leaking news and not taking the opportunity to be the first to announce to the community the positive stories of Willow Court’s restoration progress. In the latest news from Councillor Damian Bester own web blog, which contained the media release over a week earlier, he suggests that Mercury Columnist, Leo Schofield needs to get the facts right before reporting in the Mercury Newspaper about Willow Court. Both men are employed by the Mercury Newspaper. Social media comments on New Norfolk Facebook groups are condemning Leo Schofield for his critical reflections of The Valley, it’s people and it’s lack of progress over the last decade with Willow Court. The media release offers little new information however the reply on Cr. Damian Bester web-blog will help secure public notoriety before the next local election due in 2014.

Official Media Release

Local

Whats going on here?

June 11, 2013 No Comments

A Council notice, applied 15 metres back from The Avenue on a gum tree advises the public that there is an application for planning approval to install storage containers inbetween Frascati House and the Lachlan River. This notice is hard to see from the road and gives no more information about the storage, it’s purpose and how long it is planned that these storage containers will be in the area. Plans are avalable at the council for 14 days from the application date, which is 27 May.

Global

Paranormal Documentary Privacy Issues

May 30, 2013 No Comments

“The Anti Discrimination Commissioner, Robin Banks was interviewed on ABC radio news
on Saturday regarding her concerns with the use of archival footage of
Residents of Royal Derwent Hospital being made public. While Commissioner Banks
acknowledged there was no evidence of discrimination in the documentary, the
use of the archival footage depicting young adults could breach the Personal
Information Protection principles. The Commissioner has referred the matter to
the Privacy Ombudsman who is in communication with the Councils lawyer on the
matter.”

“The Commissioners finding is the expected outcome of research and lobbying by
concerned community members who respect the privacy of individuals who lived at
Willow Court and their family members.”

This was a quote from an email sent to this website today. There are a number of concerned people and groups out there fighting for the rights of People who didn’t have a choice in appearing in this film.

The Lord Mayor Martyn Evans was quoted in the Derwent Valley Gazette (May 1st) as saying that “the Council had viewed the documentary three times and it had also been seen by State Archivist Ross Latham and Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Robin Banks. We can’t be accused of rushing anything through- this has all gone through the appropriate channels and processes”

While we agree that the processes should be followed we also have to acknowledge that these processes were not instigated by the Derwent Valley Council, instead they were raised by concerned Individuals, Parents and Advocates of the previous Residents. Council had approved this film without any of the due process including the Privacy Commissioner.

PS added 30/05/13

I spoke to a CEO of a disability service provider today who had been approached by the mother of an ex-patient of RDH and is concerned that her son will be in this film. At 84 years of age she shouldn’t have to go through this suffering for the benefit of some young person’s hobby. Why is this film maker so bent on presenting people with disabilities in such an unpleasant and insensitive way?