The Friends of Willow Court have a meeting this Thursday evening at the New Norfolk Community House. Mr Brett Noble (Project Officer of the WCCC) is believed to be attending and will discuss the access to Willow Court while restoration projects are underway. It is believe that works will commence this month and continue for 6-9 months.
Council infighting causes exclusion to Tourism Tasmania advertising campaign.
Willow Court Heritage Precinct was visited by an International Travel Blogger and a International Photographer who were invited and contracted to write about regional Tasmania and the beautiful Derwent Valley on behalf of Tourism Tasmania. Cr Nicholson took the time out of his busy day of restoring his property after the resent fires through the Lachlan Valley to show the Site off. The following stories were included and will appear on the website however Willow Court will not appear.
24 March
Tassie140 Short story – Flywheel, New Norfolk There is lots to see at Flywheel, one of New Norfolk’s newest antique stores!
Tassie143 Short story – Flywheel, New Norfolk A selection of the beautifully printed stationary and cards available at Flywheel in New Norfolk
27-March
Tassie139 Donna Baird – Drill Hall Emporium, New Norfolk Donna at the Drill Hall Emporium
Tassie137 Donna Baird – Drill Hall Emporium, New Norfolk Just a small selection of the beautiful range of antiques available at the Drill Hall Emporium, New Norfolk
There will also be stories about Redlands Estate and The Agrarian Kitchen to come.
David the International Travel Photographer and the Travel Blogger have “chosen not to post about Willow Court”, It was believed “there was way too much politics around it”.
The visitors toured the site the day after the Long Table Dinner was canceled and we believe this is still the fallout from Cr Bromfield’s decision to stop the Long Table Dinner with her well informed decision to stop new volunteers with the skills to cook and serve alcohol being insured for the event. No insurance coverage during their volunteering meant this event could not go ahead. Cr Bromfield’s disappointing decision
The multimillion dollar advertising campaign will run for the next five years as Tasmania’s invitation to travelers and would not have cost the Council a cent in rate payer’s funds. It would have placed the Historic site in the minds of a diverse range of travelers that are looking for that “behind the scenery” Derwent Valley experience.
We are extremely disappointed by this decision and call for the Council to unite with their Special Committee’s in some commonality about the Heritage site.
Restoration process to continue
After the Friends of Willow Court Committee started restoration of the front gates in October 2012 and concluded in November (Gates Completed) in an attempt to get the ball rolling with restoration at the site we saw yesterday a leak from the Derwent Valley Council to the Mercury about a briefing given 
by David Llewellyn about further restoration works that are about to start in April. The unsigned article informed the Public that;
“In a briefing to the council, they (David Llewellyn and project manager Brett Noble) said the installation of a power supply was almost complete, giving a kick-start to further works.
Mr Noble said there was about $1.5 million available to do the priority work and it would have to go a long way.
This included the development of a visitor centre in a wing of the adjacent Bronte building (1925).
He said the two buildings were in remarkably good condition and it would be possible to reuse many original features, including doors and windows.
The site would soon close to all visitors for six to eight months”
Full Mercury article.
While this article states that the site will be closed for six to eight months, Project Officer Brett Noble is in discussion with the Friends of Willow Court about holding events that have been planned for the next few months.
The Conservation Committee sort a report from Dr Jane Harrington about restoration and Priority Conservation Works on the Willow Court Precinct and this was presented to the Derwent Valley Council in November 2012. These works are of great importance and the report highlighted three points
The need to preserve and maintain the Barracks building as a matter of urgency
Funding for works to conserve the buildings being immediately available
The potential existing for Barracks and Bronte to be developed as a historic interpretation centre for the site.
Conservation Committee get on with the job.
We (Willow Court Advocay Group) are please that the first official restoration works will occur soon and that this bandage work will assist the site from deteriorating any more. The Friends of Willow Court were informed that Mr Paul Lan and Dr Jane Harrington presented a range of fencing types for Willow Court that would comply with Heritage standards but they haven’t heard anymore about security on the site and hope that something will be in place before work commences and tradesmen are employed.
As soon as talks with Brett Noble have completed a list of events will appear here.
Aldo Fabian the writer of Women of the Willow; Guest Speaker
Friends of Willow Court met last Thursday night with Aldo Fabian the writer of Women of the Willow, a play in three acts which was last presented at Willow Court in 2011. He talked to the Friends of Willow Court about the possibility of future involvement at the site. With a rich history of dramatic arts and tourist ventures here and in New South Wales he will be a welcome addition to the team. We can’t wait to see what can happen. So many stories can be told of life in the early colonial times through too much closer history, from all angles and from many people whom have come into contact with this historic precinct. Derwent Valley Players
The committee also put forward a draft terms of reference for Council to approve and discussed future Heritage Events for this year.
The minutes will be up on the Council Website as soon as they are approved at the next meeting.
Smear and incitement becoming wearing
I believe that I have brought to the public ‘s attention a range of positive stories, even though some had to have interesting angle in their approach to see the positive side of the restoration of Willow Court, both building and people history. As someone who believes in positive behavioural re-enforcement, I have to look hard at the issues to write news stories around events and happening. The last few stories have lost that positive edge, not all things can be looked at when they simply don’t have a positive edge.
This week I have had to read false allegation against me by a paranormal enthusiast. After this person resigned from the Willow Court Committee we have had nothing but smear and incitement to create a toxic culture at New Norfolk and on social media. We have tried to rise above answering these group members, when they cut and paste comments and put their own swing on them.
As a volunteer who has offered every hour of work free and supported a wonderful team of Derwent Valley residents achieve and bring Willow Court sensitively to the public over the last twelve months these attack are wearing.
This was removed after I stated on this site that I will hand this allegation to my legal advocate on Monday.
Unfortantly the Documentary has been unlawfully leaked into the wrong hands, That being the Willow court committee which was behind the ABC news report on us last night.
This is just an example of what length some members of the Willow court committee will go to. I believe that they started out with the good of willow court in there mind, but now it is clear that their agenda towards my team have out shadowed whats good for the site.
The only copy’s of the Documentary that have been pubically released have been handed to each councillor of the Derwent Valley Council.
These people feel like they have more of a right than you to view this Documentary and will go to any length to stop it, Which now includes illegal activity.
Nicole N Nick Jarvis Interesting comment, if mark can get his hands on a copy it’s a wonder the Disability specialists have not also seen it. I’m a bit bemused why he and the committee would be bitter that we left, we must have meant more to them than we think or they lost some sort of control when we left.
Mark you are a bit hypocritical you didn’t have a problem showing the same archive footage at previous open days did you? But because it doesn’t fit your purpose or its not in one of your own films you chose to attack us for something you also endorsed.
The footage shown at Open days has all the people removed! Mark
Aiden Sullivan 100% agree Nick, this archive footage is know open to the public
Dave Condon It’s always a different story when it’s someone else and not them.
It’s funny how quick they are to point the finger at APIU and their documentary, but similar footage has been used before by Mark.
One word sums them up “Hypocrites”
Ben Crothers I don’t think that’s exactly fair, because it is not about the using the footage, it’s about what it is used for.
Nicole N Nick Jarvis That’s not really how its been explained to us Ben and even the article talks about showing patients which would be referring to footage. As for the paranormal investigation footage, it’s basically us talking to thin air in a sense, no patients in that section.
Carlene Ellis have u composed a statement yet?
Nicole N Nick Jarvis No not yet Carlene Ellis
Media Release
Friends of Willow Court
Media Release
A Derwent Valley Council decision has resulted in the cancellation of the Long Table Dinner Bushfire Fundraiser at Willow Court on 23 February 2013.
At the Derwent Valley Council meeting on Thursday 21 February a motion was moved to have the agenda item to increase the membership of the Friends of Willow Court, to sit on the table until the following meeting, this Motion was carried.
It appears that the Councilors had not been made aware that the people listed were needed to ensure adequate numbers for catering purposes, and compliance with serving of alcohol legislation.
The nine people listed for approval by Council had contacted the Friends of Willow Court specifically to help with the Long Table Dinner. Among these people were a chef, three people with the Responsible Serving of Alcohol certificate and people experienced in catering.
As a result of the Council’s decision the Friends of Willow Court have no option but to cancel the Long Table Dinner Bushfire fundraiser.
Numerous businesses and individuals across Tasmania and some from interstate had supported the event with thousands of dollars worth of donations including food, alcohol, items for the silent auction, and in kind support.
In excess of 80 tickets were sold and together with the silent auction it was anticipated that a minimum of $5000 would have been raised for the Red Cross and Bonorong Bushfire appeal.
People who have booked and are known to Friends of Willow Court committee members will be contacted and advised to seek a refund from the Derwent Valley Council office. People who have booked and are un-contactable will be met at the gates of Willow Court at 6.30 pm on 23 February and advised to also contact the Derwent Valley Council for a refund.
As a volunteer group the Friends of Willow Court are bitterly disappointed that the hard work and enthusiasm they have put into organizing the event has not been supported by Derwent Valley Council elected members.
Anne Salt
Chairperson
Friends of Willow Court
0419213232
Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner Steps In
Australia’s Leading Disability Advocate and Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM stepped in to ask the New Norfolk Council to review allowing a Paranormal documentary involving the past residents of Willow Court and Royal Derwent Hospital, from being released. Robin Banks the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner also is involved in looking at this issue and asking if this is insensitive to the point of being against the Discrimination Act.
An agenda item on the Council Website informed the Willow Court Advocacy Group of this disturbing news and started a number of actions and some busy after hours work. Connections with Advocacy groups and organisations are set in place so previous residents and people living with a disability can have a say how they are portrayed at Willow Court by the Council and any fringe groups.
Despite Australia’s leading Disability Advocate contacting the Derwent Valley Council’s General Manager yesterday, the Council tonight approved the documentary without seeking legal advise and commended a small fringe group on their documentary that dehumanises people who lived, died and suffered at Willow Court.
The method and way in which this film was made has been questioned and is still a subject of legal debate between members of the Friends of Willow Court and the Derwent Valley Council. The Council tonight were asked to clarify this position during question time and did not answer any questions.
Although Chairperson of the Willow Court Conservation Committee was contacted and informed, David Llewellyn stated that this was a dispute between the Friends of Willow Court and the Council. David Llewellyn announced that Willow Court is a “Site of Conscience” on ABC Radio on the 21st Oct 2012. This has left us wondering, what is his interpretation of a “Site of Conscience?”
Tonight another motion was past by Council and states that all future tours through Willow Court be charged money, which is to go to the restoration fund. This paths the way for the same fringe group who made the documentary to conduct Ghost Tours.
The Malcolm McDonald report has a plan not only to restore the buildings on the site, but also the people heritage and that can’t be achieved by portraying people in a dehumanising manner.
Tasmanian Bushfire Fundraiser
Long Table Dinner
Under the Stars
Willow Court Barracks
The Avenue New Norfolk
6.30 pm – midnight 23 February 2013
Two course dinner $35 pp
Refreshments available at the bar (cash only – no BYO)
Silent Auction
Entertainment
Derwent Valley Concert Band & Bluey Latham
Pre-purchased tickets essential by 21 February
More volunteers
Welcome to all new prospective Friends of Willow Court Committee members, among the new members is local identity Sally Wise, well known business woman and passionate food advocate. Sally has a passionate interest in the history of the colonial food era. With a history of The Willow Court Heritage Precinct going back to 1827, this is a beautiful match and I am looking forward to the outcome.
More people are joining the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee in a community driven revitalisation of the Willow Court Heritage Precinct. The committee have been planning for a year of events while the Conservation Committee are working hard toward getting power and security restored back to the site so restoration work can proceed. Some immensely talented people are interested in the work at Willow Court Heritage Precinct and it is an exciting time to be part of this project and I’m looking forward to the year.
Click 
on the picture to know more about Sally or facebook icon to visit and join Sally’s Facebook Page
Derwent Valley Council Agenda Page 33-34 DVC agenda
Discussion
There has been much debate on the issue of being able to cover volunteers who wish
to help this committee when they have working bees. After much debate it was agreed
that the best option would be to extend the membership of the Committee.
To this end the committee has again provide a list of names of a people who have
shown a willingness to volunteer on the Willow Court Site with Friends of Willow
Court. These are as follows:
1. Sally Wise
2. Ardelle Young
3. Ronee Featherington
4. Alyssa Woolley
5. Cindy Huett
6. Sally Currie
7. Beverley Taylor
8. Vivian DeBrassac
9. Lyn Hoplins
Recommendation
That Council approve the appointment of the following on the Friends of Willow
Court Special Committee:
1. Sally Wise
2. Ardelle Young
3. Ronee Featherington
4. Alyssa Woolley
5. Cindy Huett
6. Sally Currie
7. Beverley Taylor
8. Vivian DeBrassac
9. Lyn Hoplins
Friends of Willow Court Special Committee Meeting
Friends of Willow Court Special Committee Meeting this Thursday 10 January, 7 pm at a venue to be decided.