The Friends of Willow Court have started regular tours on the first Sunday of each month starting in September. This long overdue activity will now open the site up for respectful activity and education. The Friends have been testing their skills out at open day events for a couple of years and their historical scripts have been verified as a true record of events on the site by Historians and Academics.
We support this wonderful opportunity and encourage people to visit New Norfolk’s many cafes or restaurants as part of a great day out.
The Friends of Willow Court Committee were honoured to have the company of Rodney Dunn at the 2016 annual general meeting. Rodney is the owner of the Derwent Valley favourite and world famous ‘Agrarian Kitchen’ situated in Lachlan. Renowned for his gourmet expertise, delightful old -world cooking school and neighbourly connections for fresh ingredients Rodney shares his plans for a new eatery and shop within Willow Court. The newly renovated Bronte building within the council owned section of Willow Court presents an appealing, relaxed and historically significant atmosphere for a choice dining experience.
It has been a foresight of the Friends of Willow Court of the sites potential for tourism and educational opportunities. Rodney explains the eatery’s location within the picturesque setting of the valley will provide an idyllic destination for functions and travellers to dine. The eatery and shop will show case locally sourced produce and highlight specialist kitchen equipment. Diners will enjoy the taste of the valley with a finely crafted menu. The site has room for expansion or as Rodney envisions a partnership with a boutique brewery.
Excited by the prospect of tourism to the site, committee members still held concerns for how the new eatery would engage the public with the historical memories and stories of the site. It was discussed and subsequently agreed upon that the sites rich heritage be preserved through interpretation. Rodney is eager to work with Friends of Willow Court, the Derwent Valley Council and the Willow Court History Group to implement interpretive panels within the eatery that will feature key stories that will connect the past to the present.
The new Agrarian Kitchen will reinvigorate the Willow Court historic Precinct with a modern dining experience for locals and visitors alike. Through interpretation the Friends of Willow Court Committee will help to develop a sophisticated respect and connection with the sites heritage to promote education and a more informed future.
