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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Council infighting causes exclusion to Tourism Tasmania advertising campaign.

behind the seneryWillow 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.

Go Behind the Scenery website

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.

You heard it here first advertising campaign inclusion

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Supermarket plans for oval area (UPDATE)

Update Click HERE or the picture Supermarket shopping centre announced

 

 

 

THERE is considerable interest in two supermarket proposals that have been lodged with the Council this month, says Councilor Bester.

 

Click HERE to visit Cr. Damian Bester’s web page to view the current plans for the oval precinct and some of his comments.

black-and-white-willow-court.jpgOne of the area marked to be a shopping supermarket

is this oval at Willow Court while just down the road

100 meters stands the Heritage Precinct of Willow Court.

It will be interesting to see what sort of legacy this

Council will leave the community of New Norfolk

and the Derwent Valley.

 

It’s not an easy decision for any Councillor to make

when there are competing ideas and philosophies

for this large site with many different pros and cons.

 

It would be good to let your Councillor know your opinion.

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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

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Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner Steps In

innes2011Australia’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.

Friday night’s ABC News story

abc news

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Congratulations

CERTIFICATES recognising the community service of a number of local residents were presented at the Derwent Valley Council’s Australia Day celebration on Saturday including Friends of Willow Courts own, Sharon Hutchison.

Sharon Hutchison: Long-term community service through Derwent Valley
Regional Arts, Derwent Valley Community Choir, Tyga FM, Derwent Valley Players
and the Friends of Willow Court

You may know her as “The Matron” or part of the Derwent Valley Community Choir, both performing at the last open day.

Meet the Matron Follow The New Norfolk News click  HERE

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More volunteers

Sally WiseWelcome 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 Sally Wise 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

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Willow Court Documentary (first public release)

The BarracksFrom 1827 New Norfolk was the home of Tasmania’s first Asylum which later became known as the Willow Court Training Centre, part of the Royal Derwent Hospital. The oldest remaining Asylum in its same location continually ran until the year 2000. “The Barracks” is the original and oldest part that can still be viewed today.

Tony Nicholson, Local Historian tells us about the history of the buildings and daily life within the walls of the Asylum with remarkable accuracy and respect.

173 years of history in 37 minutes. Produced in 2008

Now showing on the films tab click HERE

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