Willow Court tour of closed Barracks section

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Brett Noble, the Conservation Committee’s Senior Project Manager, today showed me through the previously closed and sealed sections of the north and west wings of the Barracks. I was able to willow court with brett noble 002gleam a little of the breadth and depth of restoring the Barracks today while looking through these sections, while in good condition each of these rooms and wings need extensive works. Suring up floors and replacing some boards through to whole floor replacement in some areas will be needed. The electrical system will need to be completely replaced, some switching equipment has asbestos still contained as part if it’s construction while most of the barracks has external exposed electrical cabling which will either be redirected through the roof space or under the floor.

willow court with brett noble 020Brett was able to show me some significant areas and interesting spaces that will enrich any tourist activities once explained and interpreted sensitively. The writing of numbers in a section was something I have past many times but failed to see. Brett has had someone investigate this number writing to see if there is any patterning. While this sort of thing is not common for all people who have had some mental health issues during their life, it and other types of patterning can be found in many institutions around the world.

The rooms retained some of their original features and this was exciting, the fireplaces and doors and locks are maintained well. The windows are different in these wings as opposed to the south wing, possibly delineating between worker space and patient space.

I was able to have a conversation about the Burra Charter (Learn more) and how this would apply to the restoration at Willow Court, Brett was very good at explaining that the Charter is a starting point to creating the discussion for future works and not a prescriptive rule to stand by. This is why the conservation committee have to look at the possible future use of the site because this will influence  what and how much work needs to go into a space and how much change needs to or doesn’t need to happen. This is going to be an important part of the works and without a plan of use, money could be wasted.

Preliminary works have started in the south wing with the investigation stage underway. Brett was able to point out some original features which will be carefully maintained and restored. We also discussed the surfacing of the landscaping and that some of the original road and brick paving in front of the Barracks will remain because it is a suitable sub structure to support the coloured gravel pathways that will lead tourist to the Barracks and will have good drainage abilities already in place.

willow court with brett noble 003One interesting point that was made is the word “Barracks”, while most of us think about a solders garrison, the context that it is used at Willow Court is a range of small rooms with exits into the veranda and open courtyard, so a lot of the doorways that lead from one room to another are later additions.

The current fence that used to be around the old Administration building has now been removed and the admin building actually is looking good, well done Mario. The new placement of the temporary fence is going to be the location for the new solid fence and boundary between the two complexes.

We moved into Bronte Ward to have a walk through and it was wonderful to see all the windows in place and really making a difference to the building. I like the idea of having wheelchair access to all the buildings. This is a very important feature considering the history of the site. I liked the idea of removing the newer toilets at the back of the ward and restoring the veranda along the south and west sides which will now face beautifully into the garden with this beautiful tree as a centre piece. 002

 

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“Seared in their minds” Mercury Article 18th August 2013

img419img425 More from the Mercury about an apology to the previous Patients of Royal Derwent Hospital/Willow Court Training Centre. Two people are featured in this article, one an ex-patient and the other an ex-staff member. Both people wrote to the Mercury a couple of weeks ago with diverse and opposed opinions and experiences. Article from Margaret Reynolds in today’s Mercury

LYON_ALP_Adams The apology…”in principle I would support it”

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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.

 

LYON_ALP_Adams  (R -L) Dick Adams (Labor), Pip Brinklow (Greens) and Eric Hutchinson (Liberal)LYON_GRN_BrinklowLYON_LIB_Hutchinson

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.
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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.

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Derwent Valley Council; crisis talks over apology

apology

The Derwent Valley Council’s Mayor spends time talking about an apology to the past resident of Willow Court with the Minister for Health and Human Services and the Premier according to the latest August Information Bulletin. So what do they think about this?

 

Lara Giddings“We were all shocked and saddened as we went through the process of revealing the tragic treatment and circumstances of vulnerable children in State Care in Tasmania’s past.

“It is widely accepted that institutional care such as that experienced at Willow Court is no longer appropriate for people with disabilities.

“All parties now recognise that the primary care and support for people with disabilities should be provided in the community,” Ms Giddings said.

Lara Giddings, MP. 29 October 2008

 

Cassy_OConnor“As a parliament, and on behalf of the people of Tasmania, we can work together to right a terrible wrong. We can apologise to the children and teenagers who were systematically abused and neglected, their human rights grossly breached, at Willow Court. We can and should also apologise in the Parliament to the families of those Tasmanians who have suffered a painful, lingering guilt as a result of an appalling dispassionate government policy. They have a right to acknowledgment, to be heard and to be compensated. I believe these are necessary steps towards a more just, socially inclusive Tasmania. I look forward to working with members to achieve these outcomes.”

Cassy O’CONNOR MP.  22 July 2008

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Brett Noble; Restoration Report

1Brett 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.

 

cropped-S5000223.jpgThe 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.

 

 

 

002The 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.

 

 

 

cropped-S5000230.jpgBronte:  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 heritage day 036Frascati 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.

 

 

 

Web-831Carlton 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.

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DVC Mayor and GM respond to questions about Willow Court

UpdateThe 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. 
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Another letter to the Editor

Anne Salt Mercury letterAnother 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.

Sites of Conscience Website

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