• We have begun redevelopment work in earnest on Bronte, which has a nine week program. We start with demolition of the intrusive toilet block and then move to construction of new toilets and the kitchen, along with all interior finishes. Roof painting and plumbing has moved to the northern wing now that we have space to erect the scaffolding.
• Electrical and mechanical services are also being installed in Bronte and the Barracks in parallel with this work.
• Landscape works are drawing to a close. Scheduling of landscape works in the Bronte courtyard is dependent upon how the construction work progresses, but should occur during the last couple of weeks of this month. The Avenue pedestrian apron has been laid. Fencing issues should be resolved soon, and then work started.
• Interior finishes are being applied in The Barracks south wing, along with various little tasks around the veranda and external envelope of the building.
Basically, the major works within Bronte are underway and we are also progressing the many little ‘final’
tasks to do across the precinct.
I have had a lot of people wanting to tour Willow Court contact me through this website so I want to let people know what Brett Noble is suggesting, please see his email message below. Brett has a big job on his hands and has taken his responsibility as the Workplace Health and Safety officer of the site and the Senior Project Manager very seriously. He does give us an indication that the site will be open in the near future to all. We look forward to that. Meanwhile the audio tour section of the oval wards has had a new lease of life and the contents are now stored within the website for more reliability along with some photos of the last tour. Find the audio HERE. A quick walk around the oval wards and a listen to the tour will give a good insight into one person’s experience of working at Willow Court in the 1980’s.
I think it is best to hold off on any further tours until the work is finished. There is just too much running around and uncertainty about tasks that may be undertaken on any given day, so my intention is to keep the site clear. It won’t be long before the site is open.
Exploring life from the inside of Carlton House is something many people want to know about, from its history as part of the criminal justice system when it was built in 1908-1910 to it’s last usage to house people living with a disability. This ward of the Royal Derwent Hospital is one of the most imposing structures at the site. It is quite intact and has survived the last 14 years of Derwent Valley Council ownership and neglect. It’s history is rich and would add to the Willow Court historic site in a very different time scale to Bronte Ward and The Barracks. Originally constructed for the criminally insane and later extensively modified and expanded in 1965-68 this building has two yards, one to the east and one to the west. It is a traditional two door security system with high walls. Some old foundations are visible in the east exercise yard which tell a different story of the site before 1908.
Inside the areas are clean and wouldn’t take much to restore. The old doors have had their hinges removed and stolen for their metal resale. One original hinge is kept so others can be cast and the three inch thick laminated wooden, steel re-enforced doors can be rehung. The ceiling in some areas has been exposed but can be left exposed to show the re-enforced metal fabrication fixed to the top of the ceiling rafters makes this escape proof.
Many people have never had the opportunity to visit a site like this and the building tells it’s own visual story. Along with some minor interpretation this site could become part of the Willow Court tour experience. From the time you walk in and see this imposing structure framed by large grey high walls, to the internal structure, this would have to be one of the most interesting buildings on the site. Inside, large dinning area and kitchen area followed by the staff room, Doctor’s room, visitors room, clothing store, bathroom and sleeping areas. Upstairs the bathroom and sleeping areas have been somewhat maintained only because this was one of the hardest buildings on the site to brake into.
Each building sets a different scene and tells a different story about the site, the Barracks started in 1827 and Bronte house was constructed as a medical ward before becoming the high functioning woman’s ward. So each building has a unique quality that sits in it’s own space and time. This would give a visitor access to physical structures from the first building to a much later structure and of course model of use and operation.
So the question remains, does this wonderful building get leased out to a business and structurally changed forever, or does it form part of the history that should be restored and told?
Invitation to a talk by Margaret Reynolds “The Royal Derwent Hospital at New Norfolk”
Many Tasmanians have links to this hospital but few want to talk about their experience of the
state’s only mental institution. Some people worked there and some had family in treatment
briefly or for many years. A large number of children with disabilities grew up there and some
recall abusive treatment.
Time: Thursday, 1 May 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Venue: Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, Ground floor, 91 Murray St (LINC Tasmania)
Jointly Sponsored by the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office and the
Professional Historians Association (Tasmania)
RSVPs are essential
Please contact:
Caroline Evans
carolineevans@iinet.net.au
Willow Court Barracks looking fine with landscaping.
Major works continue at the Willow Court site and the landscaping is starting to frame the historic buildings while structural work continues with some minor challenges in Bronte bringing works to a stop for a short time. An opening date still hasn’t been announced as yet from the Derwent Valley Council, nor have they shared any thoughts on any opening celebrations that they have arranged.
“Further south, the township of New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley is a service town for the agricultural and remaining forestry activity in the surrounding area. New Norfolk has a deep soul, and many locals still have close and personal connections to the historically significant Willow Court, which was for many years Tasmania’s institutional psychiatric asylum. The buildings, which pre-date Port Arthur, are some of the oldest in the nation. It is a national disgrace that such significant architectural and social history is being neglected.” Eric Hutchinson. first speech as the Member for Lyons. 3 December 2013.
It would be hoped that there will be funding for the social restoration as described by Eric, as well as the physical restoration and this will be inclusive of the past patients/residents, families and advocates. Click image of Parliament house to read and listen to the full maiden speech.
Never publicly available before today, this is one of three volumes (blue cover) that we are scanning and releasing for all to read, study and make up their own minds about Royal Derwent Hospital and Mill Brook Rise and the care provided. These robust tested testimonies are proof that allegations were listened to and some proved and other unproved. Such a mixed history has left many different experiences for such a diverse community. Read and make up your own mind.
Complete book: Part B1 (blue cover) NEW!
” .. They had me by the throat and I was bruised all up the side there and I was that sore I could hardly damn well walk and I had jeans on … they we ripped off, and the buttons, there was only one button on and my bra were all showing you know. And when they got me across to A Ward I was thrown into a cell into a cell next to the visiting room, I was throw in there and left… “.
All three parts are now online from this first book for the first time in history. This is the account of Patient “A”, Patient “B” and Witness “9”. (Yellow Cover)
Patient “A”: “When about 12 months old, being ill, she was taken to the Norfolk District Hospital where severe gastro~enteritis was diagnosed. At 2 years of age she started having “funny little turns” which commenced a period of visitations to the Royal Hobart Hospital. When about seven she attended Tallre School but her hyperactivity was disruptive and the school authorities suggested, for the parents consideration, admission to Royal Derwent.”
Patient “B” is a seven year old male patient. ” we saw the children in M Ward and they were unkempt, dirty, and smelly and there was a general stench about the ward. We actually stepped over a child on the floor whom we knew. The child had been at the Quindalup Training Centre some six weeks before. The child had lost weight and its hair was so dirty it was matted. Another child was sitting on the floor with blood oozing out of its mouth. There were no toys around for the children to play with. When the Sister asked where the toys were she was told they were locked away because the children would break them… ”
Witness “9”: Child Care Worker. Allegations of assault upon infant patients by Staff of ‘M’ Ward. “I have heard about the Royal Derwent before I did go up there and I wanted to see It for myself. I wanted to, you know, just work there to, well, and partly to see children that I had worked with when they were very young, and I was curious to how they would be a few years after”
