All links have now been repaired and are working. Please enjoy the historical study and reference material that has been given so generously by Susan Piddock, Australian leading authority on Asylums.
Federal Election 2013 Lyons
Today I wrote to each of the candidates that are seeking to be elected in the seat of Lyons, this is what I asked of each of the candidates:
Can you inform us about your plans to support the restoration of Willow Court?
The restoration fund is inadequate to meet the needs of the site, what can you do about this?
Do you support the apology to the previous Patients of Willow Court?
I look forward to their response and will inform you as soon as I have a reply.
(R -L) Dick Adams (Labor), Pip Brinklow (Greens) and Eric Hutchinson (Liberal)
Dick Adams Replies:
Thank you for your email in relation to Willow Court.
I am already supporting the development of Willow Court and the Federal Labor Government has contributed funds towards securing the site. I will continue to assist where I can.
Restoration takes time and once there are projects put forward to Heritage Australia, I will support them to be funded.
The apology is a matter the State Government needs to address and in principle I would support it.
Dick Adams MP
Federal Member for Lyons
Pip Brinklow Replies:
Dear Mark,
Thank you for emailing me in regards to my thoughts on this important issue. Willow Court is a very important part of Tasmania’s built and social heritage and must be protected.
Plans to support the restoration of Willow Court. The Greens are strong supporters of the restoration and sensitive adaptive reuse of the willow Court buildings. I believe that within the complex the story of the people who were patients and workers at Willow Court ( and Royal Derwent Hospital) should be told, honestly but sensitively.
.
Inadequacy of current restoration fund. The current restoration fund is substantially inadequate. I understand that there are currently some funds available that are facilitating some work, however the amount is undisclosed. With the sale of the oval there will be some additional funding. As we do not support the sale of any further land or building it will be up to all levels of government to contribute to the restoration and management costs of the site. The Greens strongly urge all three levels of government to meet to agree on a ten year funding plan. The longer term plan must be to develop enough commercial activity to pay the ongoing maintenance costs of the site.
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Support an apology. The Greens support and have been working towards a formal apology for those former patients who were not treated as well as they should have been against the standards of the day. We are cognisant of the feelings of former staff who assert that, to their knowledge, all patients were cared for in an appropriate manner, and feel that an apology is an accusation that their work in caring for residents was somehow inadequate. It needs to be acknowledged that the majority of staff operated to the highest ethical standards at all times and that an apology is not a slight on them. Our position is that an apology should occur as soon as possible, so that as many former patients as possible can be made aware of it.
Pip Brinklow,
The Greens House of Representatives candidate for Lyons
I would like to thank Dick Adams and Pip Brinklow for taking the time to reply, I did get a reply from Erick Hutchinson who wanted to phone me, I still look forward to that call and hope I can relay Erick’s answers to the group soon.
Brett Noble; Restoration Report
Brett Noble the Senior Project Manager for the Willow Court Conservation Special Committee last Tuesday night gave the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee a briefing about progress of the restoration of the site. The work started last Monday on the Barracks, but not that you would be able to tell yet. The first stage is a full inspection of the whole job to gain a clear understanding of the buildings concerned and what is new and what is older and needs restoration.
After this process, application is made to Heritage Tasmania for approval to proceed with the works. Some works will start sooner as these are considered as normal maintenance. The windows will soon be uncovered and restored while the larger works will proceed when approval is granted and that is expected in November.
Brett’s attention to the heritage detail came through as the briefing continued and he showed a passion for the site, even for its smallest artefacts. One thing that was made clear is that despite the age of the buildings they will have wheelchair access.
The amount of money that will be spent on these buildings and the works is in the order of 1.5 million dollars. While there has to be flexibility in the process here and it would have to be emphasise that the plans are still fluid and will be further developed through documenting what needs to be done and also through receiving comment from the public through the planning approval process.
The completion date could be in March 2014 but this is something that is defiantly flexible.
The Barracks: He reported that the northern side of the Barracks was in good condition inside, some work on the roof is needed. The middle section of the Barracks has no floor and will lend itself to an archaeological dig which will be a tourist drawcard. The south rooms of the Barracks will also be a multi-purpose space with any larger artefacts being on wheels and movable.
The Grounds: The grounds will be landscaped starting with the entry way which will draw the eye towards the restored Barracks building. The use of lush green lawns and coloured rock pathways will be used to emphasise areas and take the visitor to different locations. The front of the Barracks (forecourt) can be used for the dramas and market events like we have already seen on open days in this area.
Bronte: Bronte will be a multipurpose use building with space in the large rear area to have class room activities etc. and the middle space will have a kitchenette fitted, the toilets in the middle of the old ward will be demolished and the veranda re-instated. The plant room will have minimal restoration and will have a Perspex door fixed so people will be able to view the large industrial pipe works and equipment used to distribute the old steam heating system.
Frascati House: This property will be mothballed until funds are available to do the appropriate works although the boundaries will be defined with a stratum title. The fence around the building will be moved to allow the Friends of Frascati to continue with restoration of the gardens. A study of the flora surrounding the house will determine what age and historical significance the plants are.
Carlton and Alonnah Wards: These wards are set to have a separate access road south of the Bronte ward and the buildings will be opened to businesses to occupy and help give the remaining area some much needed funds. While this was a disappointment to the Friends of Willow Court, there is an understanding of the amount of money and buildings all in need of some restoration. Discussion took place around how to restore this area in another form so that visitors could find out about it when visiting the site.
DVC Mayor and GM respond to questions about Willow Court
The Mayor clarifies the ownership of the Willow Court Tunnel in answering Cr Bester’s questions in April’s Council meeting of the Derwent Valley Council.
The Mayor advised that he was of the view that as the tunnel is on private land Council would have minimal controls on its usage, but if it was utilised to access the tunnel in Crown or Council Land the situation may be different.
Cr. Bester who is a strong supporter of the joint production of the Paranormal Film shot at Willow Court is keen on knowing the result of the outcome with the state’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and the Mayor answers as follows.
The Mayor advised that he would ask the General Manager to forward a copy of the correspondence to all councillors.
The General Manager of the Derwent Council answers a question about being flexible in the re-zoning arrangements to accommodate the buildings proponents of the oval precinct.
The General Manager advised that the simple answer was yes. Also changes to the zoning and also to the Conservation Management plan were done to achieve more flexibility in regard to being able to consider a commercial development on site.
Another letter to the Editor
Another letter has appeared in the Mercury from an ex-staff member and Chairwoman of the Friend’s or Willow Court today. Speaking on her own behalf Anne has brought up some interesting points about the site and it’s history, policy and an apology. She also speaks candidly about the joint Council and APIU film that was created and shares concern about it’s appropriateness in the current light.
Willow Court Advocacy Group has also had a stance against the Paranormal film. While many of us are happy that this hobby and past time be pursed, we prefer that it’s not done at the expense of people living with disabilities who called Willow Court\Lachlan Park home.
The suggestion to join the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience is still a very good alternative to what’s happening right now. It would recognise the past struggles and assist to lay an ethical framework around the telling of Willow Court’s history. That will inform people today so that the human right will not be forgotten for our future. Well done Anne.
Restoration Gauge
Well, restoration has started so we thought we would measure the restoration and prompt restorers and decision makers about the Social History that also needs to be restored and protected. While it is fantastic to have the physical history started we all need to be aware that the social history also needs just as much effort as the physical.
What do we mean by social history? A view of historical events seen in terms of social trends.
Over the 173 years of operation Willow Court and all the other names this institution was known by, has a wealth of social history that needs to be told, shared and archived.
We can gather all this history and store it for future generations to understand our history in this context.
Books, audio recordings, photos and film are all mediums that can record these wonderful stories. If you have been told stories from past generations, that is important to share as part of our history.
After a conversation with a New Norfolk resident and business owner earlier this year I recorded a podcast. He told me that he had never worked at Willow Court or Royal Derwent Hospital but what he described to me was a totally integrated community that had a special perspective of the life and times of the Workforce and Patients that called Willow Court home. Ken’s Story and link to the podcast
Please if you are asked to tell your story, check the credentials of the person you are communicating too, ask:
Where is this going to be stored?
Where is this going to be used?
Who is going to listen to this?
Will the recorder of this information be respectful to the sensitive nature of the Social History?
This article can be used as a basis for your decision to communicate your story. Willow Court Living Memory Report
Happy Birthday to us
We are 1 (one) year old today!
We started on the 25th July 2012 with this website which offered a balanced view of Willow Court, Royal Derwent Hospital and the restoration process. We want to include the people history of the heritage site in a respectful and sensitive manner.
We have attracted over 123,000 hits on this website and have two facebook groups with 300 plus members who are interested in Willow Court and it’s people history.
We went live in early August 2012 with a small amount of content and now we have a range of films, audio reports and interviews, a number of people who have contributed photos and lot of articles and links.
A bit of TLC to the Oval Precinct
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*Four new pictures 23/7/13*
A bit of tender love and care shown to the wards on the oval precinct have clearly shown benefits. Now in private hands the Wards all were in a state of disrepair and poorly managed by the previous owner, the Derwent Valley Council. It is hoped as part of the sale of these wonderful buildings that contain such memories there has been an archaeological dig to find any precious artifact such as those found in J Ward last month (Old Story). It would be considered due diligence when dealing with the sale of historic properties that such a dig is undertaken externally and internally but I haven’t heard of the Council following common practice in this matter. I have never seen the Derwent House sign look like that!
You can take the audio tour through these wards with Anne McKinstray here
New Photos by Paul Wellings
I have been talking to Paul Wellings and looking at his photo collection on his Flickr account and he has given me permission to share these with you. Paul has a great eye for composure and has captured the Oval Wards, Chapel and Admission Ward in a dark and surreal time.
New revamped education tab
We have revamped the education tab now for easier student and teacher access, lesson plans, handouts. student resources and films all add to the education that Willow Court and it’s history can provide to people who are studying in the community services, medical and allied health industries.
This is the past informing the future through the present, allowing student to understand the methods and standards of care Tasmanian’s demanded for People living with a disabilities and/or Mental Heath issues, who called Willow Court home.
Along with lots of open source resources this website can assist in informing students of the 173 years of history with audio and video tours, articles, maps and photos throughout time. We can also arrange guided tour with qualified Educators and visiting Guest Speakers. All tour guides have a long history of the site and it’s social and physical history.
Education at Willow Court, media release
(Willow Court Heritage Precinct is currently closed during restoration) Restoration Page