Past to Present. Memory to Action
***
Friends of Willow Court are on the search for memorabilia made in Occupational Therapy and Industrial Therapy at Willow Court/Royal Derwent/Lachlan Park Hospital.
They would like to photograph and record their source for future research projects. Garden gnomes, pegs, woolen rugs,bon bons, wooden stools with woven seats are amongst some of the items they would like to photograph.
They would love to see these items on 12 May at Willow Court.
Head over to the Gallery/Open day and Events Tab (Click image below) and see the latest photos from the last Open Day conducted by the Flinders University and the Friends of Willow Court.
An estimated 200-300 people visited the site with most taking advantage of the four Tour Guides who took people through thematic tours of the Barracks and Carlton yard. Once in the yard the visitors were told of the current archaeology activity and what was being found.
Inside the Barracks there was a display of previously found and restored items, mostly from the Pearce Collection, along with interpretive posters of items found under the Barracks during previous digs.
Click the image below to open the full article
A passion, willing to put in loads of volunteer work, learn new skills, travel, gain certificates, fund raise and bend the ear of the Local, State and Federal Politicians.
If this sounds like the thing you wish to do after a full working live, then you are in good company.
The Friends of Willow Court Annual General Meeting was held Wednesday night last week and Guest Speaker, Dallas Baker OAM from the Friends of Deal Island told us about the restoration works that they are doing and showed many pictures of the impressive works so far. Dallas has also served as caretaker on the island four time totalling 12 months of full time occupation of the light house and homestead areas.
The connection between Friends of Deal Island and the Friends of Willow Court is Mark Woodley the heritage plasterer who gave tours at Willow Court during a Heritage Month activity in 2016.
Mark has reported that one of the old homesteads on Deal Island is the best house in Tasmania, due to the fact that there was never any late alterations of plumbing or electricity, so the structure remained as it was first built.
It was clear that Heritage is very much an over looked and under funded area, but also an area that is in high demand through tourism.
Dallas informed us about the great history of the area, the need for the light house after the shipwrecks. The lighthouse is one of the highest and during fog is too high for ships to see. It has suffered the same fate as many light houses with the advanced navigational equipment available to ships today and sits as a reminder of the harder and dangerous times of sailing.
What is clear is that there are Friends Groups throughout Tasmania all full of active citizens working hard to preserve our heritage. Also in attendance was Ian Lacey who was the Tidy Towns representative. The two groups have recently announced a joint partnership with the conservation of the Willow Court perimeter wall. The job was stopped in 2015 due to the lack of funding but the joint partners have received a small grant to purchase some scaffolding to continue the job.
Below is the Chair person’s report for the 2016-17 year from the Friends of Willow Court.
Friends of Willow Court
Chairpersons Report
Annual General Meeting
13 September 2017
It is with pleasure that I present this, the fifth report for the Friends of Willow Court special committee of the Derwent Valley Council.
Activities undertaken by the committee over the last 12 months include the following:
* Reviewed and accepted the revised Terms of Reference
* Three committee members participated in the Willow Court Access Working Group to
determine a cost structure and terms of access to the council owned part of Willow
Court
* Held a BBQ at Woolworths to raise funds for Willow Court and to promote the work of
the committee to the public
* Liaised with Assoc Prof Heather Burke on working together to host the open day in
February
* Liaised with the DVC on conducting history walks during the open day at Willow Court in February
* Liaised with DVC to waive access fees to WC Barracks precinct for the open day tours
and Heritage Month Fiddle Excursion
* Visited Willow Court on two occasions to conduct onsite historical research of the
buildings and related social history to assist in the development of walking tour
information guides
* Conducted history walks during the open day that attracted 300-400 people to the site
* Co hosted the open day High Tea with Derwent Valley Players. This event was a huge
success with many compliment on both the play and the sumptuous high tea
* Hosted a BBQ for Associate Professor Heather Burke and her archaeology students
* Liaise with historian Peter MacFie to develop the Heritage Month Fiddle Excursion
* Hosted the Fiddle Excursion in May, which was an outstanding success and a real credit
to the committee, with many compliments from participants on the excellent
organisation of the event, and the wonderful exposure of a unique part of the Derwent
Valley’s history.
* Represented FoWC at the Built Heritage seminar at Parliament House. The seminar was
an outcome of the Legislative Council Built Heritage Report which identified that more
input in specific areas was needed.
* Met with representatives of Tasmania’s Most Haunted to discuss concerns with their
proposed project in the Willow Court Barracks precinct
* Successfully applied for a DVC Community Grant for the purchase of scaffolding that will
enable FoWC and Derwent Valley Tidy Towns to progress the lime washing of the Willow
Court perimeter wall that was started in 2015
* Unsuccessfully applied for a grant from the DVC Works budget to fund safety equipment
needed for the WC wall lime washing project
* Two committee members participated in the Oral History workshop to develop technical
skills and understanding of the procedures involved in recording oral histories. It is the
committees intention to continue to record histories to preserve the living history of
Willow Court for future generations
In closing I would like to take this opportunity to thank committee members for their ongoing support and enthusiasm for the projects we have undertaken this year.
I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful support provided by DVC staff to assist FoWC with the organization of the open day and Fiddle Excursion.
Thank you also to Councilor Pearce for his support of the committee throughout the last year.
Again, while we are a small committee we can be proud of what we have achieved for Willow Court in the past year.
Thank you
Anne Salt
Chairperson
2016/17
The Friends of Willow Court announced in partnership with the Derwent Valley Tidy Towns group, that work to preserve the outer perimeter wall at Willow Court will continue.
Thanks to some funding from the owners, the Derwent Valley Council the limewash and restoration will continue. The works to preserve the wall stopped in December 2015, two months after restoration work on the whole site ground to a stopped in November of the same year. No funding has been forthcoming for the site through either State of Federal Governments and almost appears to be off the agenda again.
The AGM of the Friends of Willow Court will also be held tomorrow night and Guest Speaker, Dallas Baker OAM will present his experience as a conservation volunteer at Deal Island.
Friends of Willow Court
Annual General Meeting
13 September 2017
7pm
Derwent Valley Community House
Guest Speaker Dallas Baker OAM
Dallas will talk about his experience as a volunteer on the maintenance of the Deal Island convict built (1848) lighthouse.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend the meeting.
The Friends of Willow Court together with DV Tidy Towns will commence a project this year to continue lime washing of the entire Willow Court perimeter wall after receiving a DVC Community Grant to purchase scaffolding for the project. Anyone interested in this project can contact Friends of Willow Court via friendsofwillowcourt@gmail.com
The Friends of Willow Court took part in the Legislative Council Inquiry into Built Heritage Tourism in Tasmania in 2015.
“because we want the tourism potential of Willow Court realized”
and believed “Our concern is that while the ownership and management of this nationally significant heritage site is the responsibility of a small regional council, the tourism potential of the site and economic benefits to the Derwent Valley economy will not be realized”.
At the time they believed that, “Willow Court in its current state is a prime example of neglected recognition and interpretation”.
At the end of their submission they made a clear statement and called on the State Government to act.
“To ensure that the full tourism potential of Willow Court is realized there must be a clear State Government leadership role and expectation of how sites are to be protected and integrated into a Heritage Tourism Strategy.”
While there has been some State Government money put into the Agrarian Eatery there has been little to no investment from Local, State and Federal Governments into the decaying buildings beyond that and the heritage buildings have appeared to have slipped of the agenda. The current plans of the owner, the Derwent Valley Council, have stated their total goals for the current year
“Council is aware of the need to continue the works started at Willow Court and is looking into various ways of funding this.”
The full report can be found on our documents tab or click HERE
Related stories:
On Sunday May the 14th 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
My thanks to Nadia Lobb for this report and images.
(c) Copyright 2017 Peter MacFie and Anne Salt
Retired Port Arthur Historian Peter MacFie will lead the Fiddle Excursion through the Derwent and Lachlan Valleys on Sunday the 14th of May 2017. His extensive research of convict musicians at Port Arthur and a successful sell out Sorell tour, will make him the ideal person to explain the history of Alexander Laing, his music and connection to the community and the people.
Anne Salt, Chairwoman of the Friends of Willow Court sat with Peter and heard that there were a number of fiddle players at Port Arthur, but Alexander Laing was the one musician who had the skills to play and write.
Some ticket still remain for sale, but this is limited because of the coach size and early sales. Visitors will experience historic homesteads and buildings in the region, light lunch, afternoon tea and a separate tour of Glen Derwent. Another local Historian will tell the history of the places visited and there will be live music from Alexander Laing tunes played by Folk Trio, Green Hills Gathering at each venue. Two solders, in original uniform will escort visitors throughout the day.
ST MATTHEWS ANGLICAN CHURCH
WILLOW COURT BARRACKS
FRESCATI HOUSE
STEPHEN STREET CEMETERY
ST PAULS UNITING CHURCH
LACHLAN HALL
GLENLEITH
GLEN DERWENT
This is a National Trust Heritage Event.
Click images above for ticket sales or contact the Derwent Valley Council.
ONLY A FEW TICKETS REMAINING
UPDATE
***This afternoon Ben Shaw the Deputy Mayor of the Derwent Valley Council stated that a working group has been formed and met last night to discuss access to the site. The meeting, he reported had members from outside interest groups, (not including Willow Court History Group) a Paranormal group and internal Committee’s of Council, Friends of Frascati, Friends of Willow Court, Councillors and Council Staff. Two Members of the FoWC attended last night.***
Three member of the Friends of Willow Court, which is a Special Committee of the Derwent Valley Council attended and asked question of the Councillors at the August Council Meeting. It would appear that the Derwent Valley Council, as owners and operators of Willow Court Heritage Site are dragging their feet when it comes to approving events or even having a simple process in place to approve access to the site.
The Derwent Valley Council have now been sitting on a planned events calendar from the Friends of Willow Court for nearly 12 months (August). It appears no feedback or acknowledgement has been forthcoming from the Council to their own committee.
5.2.3 Mr Tony Nicholson – Friends of Willow Court (FoWC) Calendar of Events
Mr Nicholson queried why the Friends of Willow Court (FoWC) had not received feedback or comment from the Council on a Calendar of events for Willow Court which has been provided by Councillor Pearce almost twelve months ago.
With the community keen to have Willow Court open and in use, why have Council not communicated with FoWC on our calendar of events?
The Mayor indicated that the Council was continuing to clarify the Terms of Reference following which there will be further consideration of a expression of interest process.
In another question, Mrs Vivviane De Brassac, a representative of the Friends of Willow Court asked about the sudden installation of information panels before the Dark MOFO event and inquired why Councilor Bester did not approach the Friends of Willow Court for information or assistance. The committee holds immense information of the site’s history with the presence of Local Historian and historical Author Tony Nicholson. Mr Bester clearly had time to consult the Friends of Frascati in gaining information about the Frascati Panel but couldn’t make a phone call to any members of the FoWC or the Council’s representative Cr Pearce.
5.2.4 Mrs Vivienne de Bressac – Consultation with Friends of Willow Court (FoWC)
Representative
Mrs de Bressac queried why Councillor Pearce was not asked to engage with the FoWC to develop the interpretation panels installed in the Willow Court Barracks given that he is the Council representative. Mrs de Bressac noted that Councillor Bester who is the Council representative for Friends of Frascati had been involved in the development of the interpretation panels for both Frascati House and Willow Court Barracks precinct.
The Mayor indicated that given the short time frame to ensure information panels were available for the Dark Mofo Event, the General Manager had organised for the installation to occur immediately.
Derwent Valley Council Minutes – 18 August 2016 Page 15
Next the Chair of the Friends Of Willow Court expressed disappointment in the lack of consultation and asked why if there was time to gather information about the panel for Frascati House that Councillor Pearce wasn’t given the same information to gather information for the Willow Court site from the FoWC?
5.2.5 Mrs Anne Salt – Communications with Friends of Willow Court (FoWC)
Mrs Salt stated that Section 9 of the Derwent Valley Council Code of Conduct Policy states:
Councillors will promote participation by all sections of the community by seeking their views and opinions and by ensuring that appropriate stakeholders have the opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect them.
It was noticed by the FoWC during the Dark Mofo event that interpretation panels were installed in the Willow Court Barracks. Interpretation panels had been a topic of discussion between the previous Willow Court Conservation Committee and the FoWC, and we are very disappointed not to have been made aware by the Council that the panels were to be installed.
We are more disappointed to learn that Cr Bester consulted with the Friends of Frascati on the content of the panel for Frascati House, when Cr Pearce and the FoWC were not consulted on the content of the panels to be installed in the Willow Court precinct.
Given there was time to consult with the Friends of Frascati, why was Friends of Willow Court not consulted or involved in the development of the Willow Court precinct panels?
The Mayor indicated that given the short time frame to ensure information panels were available for the Dark Mofo Event, the General Manager had organised for the installation to occur immediately.
There is a pattern of behaviour appearing and has been for some time that the Council won’t communicate with it’s own Committee and it now appears to be keeping one of it’s own Councillor’s in the dark about works and planning. Chair of FoWC Anne Salt pointed to the Council’s own code of conduct and it’s failure in this process.
The current agenda for the Derwent Valley Council has some interesting and exciting proposals that are up for discussion and consideration for the Councilors. The first is on page 40 of the 113 page agenda for a meeting held on the 15th September 2016.
In this proposal Associate Professor Heather Burke from Flinders University is looking for joint support for the archaeological works that are planned in 2017 through til 2022. There are plans for respectful engagement with community. The research aims are:
better understanding of the day to day life of patients and staff in the 19th and 20th centuries, the development of long and short term interpretive materials, community engagement, developing links between the site and other convict institutions and those portions of the site that are privately owned and training in techniques and processes for students.
The project has been designed along research lines to answer a number of research questions; focusing across a number of broad areas including:-
• The use of space and how this changed over time;
• Changes to the physical structures;
• Changes to medical treatments;
• Conditions for staff;
• The relationship between staff and patients and their experiences, and;
• The interactions and lives of individual patients in relation to their daily lives at Willow Court and Frascati.
A brief indicative timetable has been provided for the works to be undertaken each February between 2017 – 2022. The project outline for 2017 includes underfloor excavation and surface collection of materials in sections the Barracks, verandah and Ladies Cottage.
As there is a possibility of contamination due to some of the activities previously undertaken in part of the site, a soil analysis has been requested prior to any underfloor activities being undertaken, this will help to ensure the safety of those people involved in underfloor excavations. An estimate of costs involved has been provided.
Due to the means of construction, it will be necessary to lift the floor in certain sections of the Barracks building to allow access, and estimate for this work has been provided by a suitably qualified person. The lifting and reinstatement of the floor could form part of forward works for any restorations to be undertaken in that part of the building. The requests contained in the above recommendation are for works to be carried out in the 2017 year only, future works will be the subject of further recommendations.
The proposal includes public engagement activities and open days (with dates to be finalised), included in this request is assistance from Council regarding public engagement in these days and funding for advertising the open days etc. Council may wish to have further discussions with Associate Professor Burke regarding the detail of the proposed open days.
Although work is not proposed to start until February 2017, this recommendation has been submitted to allow time for the preparation of all required heritage and other approvals.
Council may wish to request that copies of these documents and a more detailed project plan be submitted prior to the commencement of archaeological works.
10.6 Archaeological Work at Willow Court and Frascati – Request for support
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council:-
1. Provide in principal support for future archaeological works under the supervision of
Associate Professor Burke to be undertaken at Willow Court and Frascati until 2022;
2. Provide the following assistance as requested by Associate Professor Burke for the
proposed works to be undertaken in February 2017:-
a. Marquees (or similar), tables and chairs to be used as shelter areas on the site,
for the display of materials and for students to undertake public engagement
activities;
b. Possible assistance with community engagement, including but not limited to
funding advertising regarding open days etc.;
c. Funding for interpretation materials , this may be a longer term project and
will be dependent upon what is discovered during the excavation period;
d. A secure storage area for any artifacts;
e. Possible assistance with the removal of dirt and debris after items of
archaeological significance have been removed;
f. A space for dirt that has bee removed to be sifted and examined, possibly the
small cement yard between the Barracks and C Ward;
g. A portion of costs associated with the removal of and reinstatement or
replacement of floorboards in the Barracks;
h. The cost of soil testing in the underfloor area to be excavated at the Barracks;
i. Accommodation for up to fifteen people for up to two weeks;
j. Barricading and coverings for trenches etc. to ensure public safety during this
period, and;
k. Back filling of excavations between field seasons.
3. Request a more detailed plan providing additional information regarding the nature
of the public engagement to be undertaken;
4. Be provided with a document detailing the finding following the completion of the
2017 field school.
The second proposal is for a paranormal tour investigation.
The proponents, it is believed have no formal qualifications in the areas of,
ethics,
science,
tourism,
workplace health and safety including risk assessment or
business.
Previous statements from representatives of the Derwent Valley Council have talked about a “professional approach” to the future activities on the site and the plans for the Agrarian Kitchen to take up a lease (signed lease 2-9-16) in the old Bronte Ward early in 2017 and the installation of Mike Parr’s work during Dark Mofo are proof that this is the line that is succeeding.
The proposal also calls for the rate payers to subsides the insurance on this event. This event is also to coincide with the release of a documentary which depicts previous residents and staff as “other than human”. This film was approved, funded and insured by the Derwent Valley Council in 2012.
Please read our position statement to these events HERE
The third proposal is from John Davidson and is part of the worldwide Photowalk program for people wishing to take photos with other like-minded professionals and amateurs alike.
Date: 1 October 2016
Purpose: 50 persons participating in 2016 Worldwide Photowalk event.
The last proposal is from the Friends of Willow Court and members of the Derwent Valley Players. The Friends of Willow Court had submitted a list of activities and has been waiting for some time for a reply from Council. Two plays are planned for November this year.
Three of these events will showcase the site and its history respectfully and I’m looking forward to hearing if the DVC can get the approval process in place within the time lines. It’s a bit strange that this hasn’t happened already?
(c) 2016 Anne Salt (Chairperson Friends of Willow Court) volunteering on the wall at the Willow Court restoration project.
On Thursday the 4th August the Friends of Willow Court had their Annual General Meeting which is open to the public. I attended and was allowed to record the Chairperson’s report. Mrs Anne Salt read out the years activities that the committee participated in or arranged. She also gave thanks to Haydn and Penny Pearce, Bernie and Janine Clifford for their support during the Heritage Month tours.
There was also a presentation from Mr Rodney Dunn. Mr Dunn showed the gathered committee his plans for an extension to his already highly successful business, the Agrarian Kitchen. (podcast to come later). Mr Dunn is keen to work with the Friends of Willow Court and the Willow Court History Group once the Derwent Valley Council finalise their long processes for a lease on the Bronte Building.