Global – Page 43 – Willow Court Tasmania

Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner Steps In

February 21, 2013 6 Comments

Australia’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

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Tasmanian Bushfire Fundraiser

February 1, 2013 No Comments

Long Table Dinner

Under the Stars

Willow Court Barracks

The Avenue New Norfolk

6.30 pm – midnight 23 February 2013

Two course dinner $35 pp

Refreshments available at the bar (cash only – no BYO)

Silent Auction

Entertainment

Derwent Valley Concert Band & Bluey Latham

Pre-purchased tickets essential by 21 February

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Frescati House Plan

February 1, 2013 No Comments

This was the House Plan that was on display on the Sunday Heritage Day. It shows past structures and rooms combined. Looking at the current shot (right) taken from the fire escape of “E” Ward this has been a substantial reduction in the structure. The areal shot (left) confirms the plans. All the out buildings have now gone. Margaret’s Richards, Dr Brothers daughters conversation is now loaded on the “audio tab” Click HERE.

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Lots of articles to read

January 28, 2013 No Comments

I really like the stories from the people who were connected to Royal Derwent/Willow Court. The living history of these people shows us a glimpse of life within and outside of the institution. Alan Bester went on to be part of a totally new concept in Dementia care in Tasmania. I remember during my training visiting this site and being told that it was a “best practice model” in care provision in Australia. Read more about Allan’s story click HERE or have a look at the “documents” section of this website to find articles listed below;

Remember the children (NDS Public Document)

Evaluation of the Ward 7 Patients

The New Norfolk Hospital for the Insane by Susan Piddock

It was 50 years ago but Allan Bester vividly recalls the sound of the sirens that would shred the night-time silence of his home at New Norfolk

A role model for rural communities

ROYAL DERWENT HOSPITAL

Willow Court Asylum Precinct Register of the National Estate

DRAFT Events Calendar for Willow Court

PANDDA Autumn Newsletter 2012

Skills Institute Newsletter 2012

AGG Newsletter 2010

Cassy O’Conner MP Inaugural Speech 22 July 2008

Willow Court Final Interpretation Plan 2006

Willow Court Historic Landscape Audit Report 2004

Marketing Plan 2006

The Barracks Willow Court Short History

Business Plan & Development Plan Prepared by Malcolm MacDonald & Associates 2011

Wage case for Nursing Staff 1985

Union Letter 1988

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Frescati Heritage Open Day

January 20, 2013 2 Comments

What a wonderful time listening to Margaret Richards, the daughter of Dr Brothers, Medical Superintendent this afternoon and looking through Frescati House during the Heritage open day. Margaret lived at Frascati from 1935-1946 with her family up until the age of 11 years. I hope that I will have some audio and picture loaded soon.

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More volunteers

January 19, 2013 No Comments

Welcome 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 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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Frascati House Heritage Day. (Don’t forget to RSVP)

January 15, 2013 No Comments

Please don’t forget to RSVP to be involved.

Ring Sandra on 62612631

This is a Friends of Frascati event.

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Willow Court Documentary (first public release)

January 11, 2013 No Comments

From 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

December 26, 2012 No Comments

From 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

December 23, 2012 No Comments

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 14^th of February.