The “Stories from the Asylum” first day was an interesting, educational and entertaining experience. Talks today were about: Punishment and Health in convict Van Diemen’s Land by Hamish Maxwell-Stewart and Pete Smith on, Sharing Some Insights into the Closure of Willow Court from his perspective as a social worker employed at the hospital.
A full house with Pete Smith
On a lighter note we had music from the Derwent Valley Concert Band (part) who continued the long history of concert bands at the hospital, at one time there were three bands. We had two sessions of poem readings by Liz McQuilkin, co-author along with Karen Knight, of “Renovating Madness”.
Liz McQuilkin watching Matron call the audience together.
Tomorrow’s program of events are below. Gold coin donation for entry.
Sunday 29th November
10 – 12 Digital Future for Tasmanian History – Hamish Maxwell-Stewart
12-1 pm Music Derwent Valley Band Saxophone Quartet
1 – 2 pm Punishment and Health in convict Van Diemen’s Land – Hamish Maxwell-Stewart
2 – 3 pm Reflections on Lachlan Park Hospital school – Margaret Reynolds – former teacher
3:30 – 4 pm Music Derwent Valley Band Saxophone Quartet
Over the last few decades it has been reported that there is an asbestos dump on the land at New Norfolk that was formerly under the control of the Royal Derwent Hospital. The asbestos was removed from the Royal Derwent Hospital/Willow Court Centre buildings after completion of a major asbestos audit. Parts of the site are still contaminated with asbestos which is mainly found in old electrical equipment such as switchboards and gaskets in the old heating system.
During the latest restoration an audit was undertaken, but the cost of removal was deemed too costly. The only way to remove these gaskets was to cut away large and heavy sections of metal pipes either side of the gasket, so as not to disturb the toxic material. Proper disposal of asbestos is costed by weight, the metal would add to the cost, so it was deemed safe while in situ.
The potential sale of the site was affected by two reported dump sites; “While it was a large property, the Valuer-General established a value of just $500 000, taking into account heritage constraints as well as the poor state of many of the buildings. Furthermore, significant industrial contamination, including asbestos and hospital waste, existed at the site.”
The Valuer General’s 2013 report recognised that any developer would have to undertake remediation of the site at considerable cost so as to develop the area; “However, at least $16m expense for service upgrades, sub-division, demolition of buildings and asbestos removal appeared unavoidable.” The report goes on to mention the successful sale; “After a two-year negotiation, sale was agreed to the Lachlan River Community Holdings Pty Ltd: a consortium of Derwent Valley Council and a private company, Mototo Business Group Pty Ltd.”
Given this report it appears that all documentation about the hospital waste site and the asbestos dump site were known to the Derwent Valley Council before, during and after the sale of the former RDH land.
To date it is believed there has been no remediation of the site, however the Gateway Estate housing development on the hill near the dump sites was approved by the Derwent Valley Council. It is unclear if the Council, as the previous owner, or the current developer undertook any safety audits or environmental reports of the land before development started to protect residents and construction personal.
In a report named “Preliminary Environmental Assessment of the Royal Derwent Hospital/Willow Court Centre” by Stoklosa Engineering PTY LIMITED dated 1996, a map shows the sites of the Hospital Waste and the Asbestos Dump Site (circled in red).
Below is another image from Google Earth which has been aligned, as much as it was possible, to the above image. The red circled area is a close proximity to the matching red circle from the above report.
An earlier report on this website raised many questions about the possible location of the dump site. A number of people suggested that the dump site was closer to the Lyell Highway, opposite Millbrook Rise. Previous stories.
In 2016 a “Structure Plan (Draft)” from the Derwent Valley Council reported; previous unknown location of an “asbestos dumping site”, even though, as the part owners of the site, the Derwent Valley Council had access to all the reports and information pertaining to the toxic dump site.
On Tuesday I visited the site and spoke with a local resident who informed me that the surveyors were working on the site in the area of the above red circle. This was believed to be in preparation for the next stage of housing development.
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.
This footage shows the Barracks from the rear enclosed yard which was demolished in the early 1960’s, H Ward and I Ward which were both female Wards, the old clock tower and accommodation rooms on the west side of the hospital including the old metal fold up bed which came from Port Arthur. Black & White silent footage.
This is a full Royal Derwent Hospital campus map which includes the Millbrook Rise component which became part of the hospital in 1968 and is the only remaining open section still providing mental health care services to Tasmanians.
It is commonly believed that the hospital closed in 2000 but this is false as this part is still operational. It had it’s own identity from 1934 til 1968, although it did shared staffing with Lachlan Park Hospital and came into the Hospital’s full administration when Lachlan Park changed names to the Royal Derwent Hospital.
The maps come from a campus rationalisation plan. The plan contained three alternatives for building usage, demolition. remain in use and buildings to not be used.
A copy of “Troubled Asylum” was available on Ebay for $275.00 in November although it didn’t sell during the auction the book has been sold privately for what I believe is a record price of $345.00.
The previous highest price was for a single, signed first edition with a key, reported to be from the hospital, however there wasn’t any proof of a connection available. It sold for $330.00.
Also an eBay seller has also sold a anti stab fork, also reported to be from the hospital. The item selling for $153.50.
This is some of the varied articles written by students who have previously attended the summer school archaeology investigations from Flinders University at Willow Court here at Flinders Archaeology Bog. These are great to read coming up to the next event set down for Feb 10, 2017 – Feb 13, 2017 at New Norfolk, Tasmania. Many articles have taken advantage of this site to gain valuable documentation of video footage that I have recorded.
There are only two places spare in the Archaeology Dig for Teachers of History program.
The offer to join in and learn the Archaeology skills and the importance of archaeology in recording history will be explored.
1863 Drawing of the Barracks, Willow Court. (c) Copyright 2015
This map was held at the National Archives in the United Kingdom and was sent to us by one of Associate Professor Burke’s PhD Students who recently spent a couple of days searching for Willow Court documentation. It is a rare image that shows the male and female divisions and where the foundations would be for any future dig site. The original Matron’s Quarters appears to be located near to, or over the currently privately owned Morgue and Antiques store. The foundations to the Gentleman’s cottage (top left) are still visible in the C Ward yard. You can click on the image to make it larger.
Kick start Arts Tasmania are completely aware of the building that they occupy and have sympathetically and culturally tackled the history. For those that believe in any remaining spirit activity within this old Hobart Orphanage can read about how this has been addressed.
At a healing ceremony, elder Jim Everett led a procession of fire sticks and garlands through the building.
“We needed to refresh the place, to say the spirits are not here, and the children’s spirits who were here can feel safe,” he said.
“We open up a new future for the diversity of cultures in Tasmania, and the collaborations that will come from it.”
In complete contrast on the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance Facebook Group a member responded to a question about Paranormal Tours within the old institution and any funds being returned for the upkeep and restoration of this historic place, that once housed people with intellectual disabilities.
“Yes, unless it’s just some kids trying to get beer money. The whole idea of running a “paranormal investigation” tour is not only exploitative, selfish, and a condition of emotional constipation, it’s completely juvenile. I’m not saying the belief in ghosts is juvenile, but to profit off of tragedy by twisting it into a more Hollywood version is wrong no matter what way you look at it. Rather than viewing the buildings with any sort of empathetic and meditative thought process that one would hopefully gain while looking at, say, a war memorial, people seem to have chosen a route that requires a much more shallow thought process when it comes to places like Pennhurst.”
Both views are vastly different from each other but the contrast poses a question for Willow Court and how can this history be culturally and respectfully dealt with and how can healing begin? It has long been thought about and there has been suggestions from Committee’s, families and Advocates. Some of those suggestions have included memorial gardens and places of peace and sculptures which tell the complex story of Willow Court’s mixed and diverse history.
Derwent Valley Council last week discussed a proposal to obtaining a grant from the National Stronger Regions Fund, a Federal Government funding pool that is allocated for infrastructure in regional communities. The fund requires that the amount asked for be matched dollar for dollar. During this discussion under point 10.5 of the Council’s own agenda, the money would be used for
“restoration of Frascati House, with inclusion of a high quality conferencing facility, museum including nursing memorabilia, possible re-location of the Historic Information Centre (following consultation with the committee) and future tea room with the capability to be used to train students from the High School (in particular) in basic hospitality skills.”
It was debated that the Council put forward half a million dollars of rate payers funds to obtain the grant. Some Councillors didn’t want to use rate payers funds for this purpose and the matter was debated then approved.
The Derwent Valley Council is looking to sell off land on the flood plains behind the new Woolworths Supermarket Complex and it is believed that this would/could reimburse the rate payer funds or add to them. There wasn’t a valuation mentioned during the meeting to know if this would in fact cover the cost to the rate payers of the Derwent Valley. The proposed use for the grant is different than stated in the Council’s very own McDonald Report, which is believed to have cost about $70,000.
One of the criteria for this grant is that it must provide ongoing economic benefit for the community and address disadvantage, collaboration is looked upon favourably. With this and the need for a fully costed heritage works plan and fully costed ‘fit out’ in mind it is suggested that the Oatlands Heritage Centre 5 x 5 x 5 project be contacted to prepare those costings for that project.
It is also believed that there is a possibility that the contractor will conclude present site works at Willow Court and the key will be handed over to the Derwent Valley Council. Mayor Martyn Evans also cautioned that dates have been announced and, have past before, without the end in sight. If it is the case then the Derwent Valley Council will take full control of the site and it’s management at the end of June.
This is a speech that Senator Eric Hutchinson presented in Canberra this week and he also mentioned the Friends of Willow Court and the Friends of Frascati House, both special committee’s of the Derwent Valley Council. He also mentions the Councils part in actively putting the Willow Court Heritage Precinct forward for National Heritage listing. The assessment process is about to start and the Friends groups are ready to support the Council in this endeavor.
Meanwhile the Derwent Valley Gazette ran a full page picture and story of the National attention that Willow Court is now receiving. Councillor James Graham and the Derwent Valley Council’s Regional Development Officer, Jess Dallas today attended the Upper House’s Inquiry into Built Heritage with the Council’s own submission and he reported tonight that the Committee were thankful for the Council’s submission. Earlier this week the Upper House Committee toured through Willow Court with the Friends of Willow Court and listened to their submission. Part of their inquiry is to look at an ongoing funding source for all Tasmanian Heritage.
