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Media coverage for the opening of Willow Court?

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mobile 025The Derwent Valley Council is about to open the restored Willow Court heritage precinct late February or early March, so how are they going to get the word out to the Tasmanian community and the tourists that it hopes to attract? This is a good question and the DVC have been sitting on the domain name “willowcourt.org.au” for nearly two years, it is going to be good to see what the DVC will reveal.

It would have been good to have the website already running so the local community can see what is happening from the official channels and know what type of activities and attractions will be available in a couple of months time.

This will be the revealing of the master plan and the large “Port Arthur” style attraction, it could only be expected that a media package equal to the sites heritage values be applied as soon as possible. It is also unclear what level of local employment will be generated by the opening. No positions vacant have been seen yet in the public domain.

Communication between the DVC and the Council Committees has been limited and the plans of council have not been revealed to the volunteer support base, that are the Friends of Willow Court, who normally run open days and arts events at the site. Local business that will have to cater for the opening have not been advised about an opening date or what to expect. Normally with an event this large in Tasmania some months of planning would be expected and would be well underway. A skeleton of the event and how the Council are going to management it could be shared.

We look forward to the opening, the events and wonder how the previous residents/patients are to be involved?

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Willow Court development application, WC News letter and FoWC meeting

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The latest news letter from the Conservation Committee is here Newsletter from the Willow Court Conservation Committee

The development application has also been put into the Derwent Valley Council and can be viewed up until October 21st. Invitation are invited for public comment. New Norfolk news

A meeting with the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee will be held tonight at 7pm in the Community house. Mayor Martyn Evans will be attending.

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Meeting of the Friends of Willow Court

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meetingThe next meeting of the Friends of Willow Court will be held next Thursday at the Community House at 7 pm.

AGM elections on the 26th September resulted in the follow people being elected

Chairperson: Anne Salt

Deputy Chairperson: Denise Rushworth

Secretary: Vivienne de Bressac

Treasurer: Graham McLean

Ordinary Committee: Mark Krause, Anne McKinstray, Janet Presser, Sharon Hutchison, Zefi Famelis, Rod Quarrell & Lyn Hopkins

Dewernt Valley Council Represetative was not in attendance.

 

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Updated restoration report

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2013-06-11-392Tonight’s annual general meeting of the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee had special guest, Mr Brett Noble who gave us an update on works at Willow Court. The development application plan will be submitted to Heritage Tasmania and will take at least 42 days before works can begin. The Heritage council were invited to visit the site and have accepted to tour with Mr Brett Noble.

A maintenance/development plan will be submitted to local council for approval and will be open for public consultation for 14 days. Willow Court Advocacy Group have been included in the electronic distribution of that information so stay tuned.

Some new and changed aspects from the last restoration report are; the plant room attached to Bronte Ward was originally thought to be an area which would be left with a Perspex viewing door.  Now this will form part of a Care Taker’s Apartment.

Also the Recreation room in Bronte Ward will have the false ceiling removed which will expose the cell/room structures that once served as bed rooms. The carpet tiles will be removed and the old linoleum that is below will be cleaned up and some minor repair completed. This floor is in good condition.

The veranda will replace the toilets that were a later edition to the rear of Bronte. It was initially thought that this veranda would be open, but now it will be closed and the floor will be evened out with timber for easy level access for all visitors.

The Barracks will have all the doors and windows that face the courtyard fully restored and will be operational. The wooden rails will be painted. The roof will be painted with a modern product which is based on an old tar surface. It is believed that this roofing surface will give the building 10-20 years extra life. There is an issue with the galvanised iron and aluminium rivets reacting and causing a detrition and rust. It may be a future option when Willow Court is up and running that the roof can be replaced when the funding is available.

Frascati House will have some structural work to support the fireplace which has some large cracks.

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Eric Hutchinson

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LYON_LIB_HutchinsonToday 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

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Another letter to the Editor

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Anne Salt Mercury letterAnother 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

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Willow Court, New Norfolk, was the site of a wonderful event over the week-end

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Derwent Valley Players, in conjunction with the Friends of Willow Court, presented two original plays, written by Sharon Hutchison and directed by Vivienne de Bressac. Sharon played Matron Coates, Lin Hopkins was Mrs. Smythe-Jones, the Vicar’s wife, and Denise Rushworth was Sarah, the Matron’s maid.

 

The South Wing of the Barracks was transformed into a small theatre and a beautiful Tea Room, complete with white linen table cloths, flowers on every table and beautiful crockery. High tea was served between the two plays, with patrons being offered cucumber sandwiches, asparagus rolls, both chocolate and lemon cake, and little chocolate nibbles, not to mention scones, presented in lovely flowered boxes, raspberry jam and cream, and a choice of tea or coffee!

 

There were two performances each day, with great audience attendance for all four shows. The patrons left  the Barracks with many a “thank you”, “it was wonderful”  “we didn’t expect the tea room to be so lovely”, “the scones were delicious” “you’ve done a lot of work” and generally an air of great appreciation for the overall experience. A wonderful time was had by all.

 

We would like to thank Ilene, at Pennyworth, for the loan of much of the crockery, platters etc, her friend Kaye, for the generous loan of the beautiful table linen and Aurora Disability for baking the scrumptious scones. And, of course, those few members of FOWC who were able to help (you know who you are)

Cheers, Vivienne

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