New opening time proposed

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The Derwent Valley Council have proposed new (revised) dates for the opening of the Heritage Precinct of Willow Court. After being informed about possible dates and then having them changed a number of times, it is great to see that the end of the current conservation works and the proposed times look like this may be it.

“It was generally agreed that an open day for the community to tour the Willow Court site be held in September 2014.”

“It was generally agreed that the official opening of the site be held in October 2014.” 

 

 

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Specialist to investigate tunnel in February 2015

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Mayor Martyn Evans announces that there will be an investigation into the tunnel that runs between Willow Court and the Derwent River. The investigation will be conducted by Associate Professor Heather Burke who teaches a range of archaeology subjects at Flinders University in South Australia. Her expertise and teaching includes Australian Historical Archaeology and Heritage Management Planning.

 

Assoc Professor Heather Burke: Heather is an historical archaeologist with research interests in the archaeology of standing structures, social memory and the creation of cultural landscapes, as well as the public interpretation and presentation of heritage sites. She graduated with a PhD from UNE in 1996, and has worked on historical and indigenous archaeological sites throughout New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Her PhD looked at the construction of social identity through style in architecture and the uses of the past in the present. Heather is currently a series editor for the Global Cultural Heritage Manuals series published by Springer, New York and editor of the national, peer reviewed journal.

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Current reading

Currently reading Dr G. M Cragge’s History of Lachlan Park and hoping that we will have permission to share this writing with all that are interested in Willow Court’s history soon.

FOREWORD
The form and concept of this paper present all outstanding illustration of the evolution of our thinking and our methods of treatment of the mentally ill. With its strong basis of historical interest I find that it also underlines rather graphically the measure of progress which has been made in the application of psychiatric methods and practice in Tasmanian during  a relatively brief period, since the time when humanity simply was floundering in ignorance and misconceptions about the care of those admitted to mental institutions or similar places.

M. G Everett, Q.C MHA Minister for Health Hobart 1966

cover history of lachlan park

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Progress on Bronte

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Bronte Ward has had some significant works done, with the old toilet block removed and some start made on the full restoration of the old veranda as it was in the original building. (above). There is some roof work still needed, but the general concept is now a bit clearer. Below is the photo with the toilet block still in place.
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Large sign of things to come?

A large sign of things to come and a gem from the past, this stored sign is one of the artifacts ready for display in a new museum at the Barracks of Willow Court. While the community wait for the Derwent Valley Council to announce opening dates and activities, more artifacts keep coming in, or out of storage in readiness for a display of the history of the Hospital. The site was named the Royal Derwent Hospital after it’s Lachlan Park tag in 1968.willow court with brett noble 007

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Private tour for Premier Will Hodgeman

New Norfolk News article

Last Friday the current Derwent Valley Council Mayor, Martyn Evans gave a personal tour of the council-owned section of the Willow Court historic site to the Premier Will Hodgeman. According to this article he also is seeking ongoing funding for the recently expired contact arrangements with the Senior Project Officer, Mr Brett Noble.

 

There still hasn’t been any announcement of opening dates and activities by the owner the Derwent Valley Council. Concern has been raised about the Council’s lack of expertise in running such a significant historic site such as Willow Court, especially considering the past 14 years of neglect and that the current budget is almost exhausted. The Council’s Manager recently announced that the site might be opened, then boarded up, due to a lack of funding. One could only foresee the ongoing vandalism that that would create.

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