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Willow Court Documentary (first public release)

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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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Here is our 2012 Report Card

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report cardFrom the Team here at Willow Court Tasmanian Advocacy Group we hoped you had a safe and happy Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support in seeing the Vision of Willow Court as a sensitive and respectful tourist attraction and museum that interprets the story, not only of the people that worked at the Centre, but those that called it “Home”.

Report Card 2012

Cheers

Mark Krause

 

 

 

 

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Willow Court Conservation Special Committee Communication Brief Dec 2012

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David's Notes Communication Brief – December 2012

The Chairman of the Willow Court Conservation Special Committee (WCCSC) David Llewellyn today reported that a further productive meeting of the WCCSC had occurred on December 13th 2012 at its meeting in New Norfolk.

Mr Llewellyn said “progress on power supply renewal and security fencing were two issues that occupied the minds of committee members at the December meeting but by far the most important matter approved by the committee was the appointment of Mr Brett Noble to the position of Project Manager to oversight and drive restoration and development of the Willow Court site”.

Mr Noble comes to the role of Project Manager with impeccable qualifications having recently occupied the position of Director Policy and Projects within the Department of Primary Industry Parks Water and the Environment.  With formal degree qualifications in archaeology Brett has wide experience in heritage development projects and will provide the important impetus necessary to achieve the outcomes sought by the committee.

“I want to place on record my thanks to the Secretary of DPIPWE Mr Kim Evans for facilitating the appointment of Mr Noble to the project manager’s position and to Brett for accepting the challenge” Mr Llewellyn said.

Although some issues may be dealt with out of session by the committee in January 2013 the next formal meeting of the WCSCC will beheld in Hobart on Thursday 14th of February.

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Willow Court Conservation Special Committee Communication Brief

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David's Notes Communication Brief November 2012

The Chairman of the Willow Court Conservation Special Committee (WCCSC) David Llewellyn today reported that a productive meeting of the WCCSC had occurred on the 8th November 2012.

Mr Llewellyn said “The recent meeting had been important in clarifying the role of the WCCSC and in establishing a number of priorities”.  The most important priority was a recommendation to the Derwent Valley Council of an immediate start to establishing a works program for the Willow Court Barracks Building.

“This will require the preparation of an appropriate brief and the development of a works program by a suitable qualified heritage practitioner”   he said.

Reports on progress toward the major upgrade of the power supply to the site and on the site security fencing were also given at the meeting.

Gratitude was expressed regarding the recent efforts of the Friends of Willow Court in their work of painting and restoring the avenue gates.

The recent meeting held in Hobart discussed a large number of other issues, the details of which will appear on the Derwent Valley Council’s web site following the confirmation of the minutes at the WCCSC December 13th 2012 meeting.

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Susan Piddock

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A Space of Their Own: The Archaeology of Nineteenth CenturyLunatic Asylums in Britain, South Australia and Tasmania.

 By Susan Piddock

This book is available online to read, but not to download, without payment. It has some sections from Willow Court and there are some comparisons with other Institutions which are interesting. Susan also looks and compares a number of institutions against John Conolly’s “Ideal” Asylum Model .

The Willow Court inforation starts about chapter 8. There are floor plans of both Parkside Asylum (SA) and Adelaide Asylum (SA) and some early sketches of the Barracks, Willow Court’s floor plan. This is  an adaption from her thesis work and reads like a piece of academic work, but really gives an evidence basis for the conclusions that are made. The book costs $205 on some websites, but is available here to read for free, thanks Susan.

 Cheers

Mark

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