Friends Of Willow Court Chairwoman, Anne Salt yesterday received four books from Russell Penman the Ex CEO and Director of Nursing of the Willow Court Centre 1990-96. The books dated back to when the institutions was called “Mental Diseases Hospital, New Norfolk” and date from 1921. These (some extremely) rare publications with inscriptions from Lachlan Park and Mental Diseases Hospital, New Norfolk will now be place in the archive of documents and artifacts which are managed by the Derwent Valley Council and is currently under the supervision of Associate Professor Heather Burke at Flinders University in South Australia.
A volunteer at Red Cross who knew current CEO of Red Cross, Mr Penman and his work history and ongoing interest in the site brought the donated books to his attention. He then contacted us through the Willow Court History Group to have them placed into the archive collection.
The books are:
Elementary Hygiene for nurses 10th edition published in 1953 and with the name Helen Rainbird 1963 written in the front cover. It is stamped “Medical Library Lachlan Park Hospital”
Lectures for Nurses 4th edition 1944 with the name of a nurse in the front that I can’t make out – along with Lachlan Park Hospital
Medicine for Moderns published in 1953. It also appears to have been in the medical library
Lectures for Attendants and Nurses – Mental Diseases Hospital, New Norfolk printed by the government printer and dated 1921. On the plain red front cover is written “to be returned to the Chief Attendant”
The Willow Court History Group are urging anyone who has artifacts, photos or documents that they wish to return, either on loan or as a permanent gift to please contact a member of the Friends of Willow Court so these precious items can be kept in public ownership for everyone’s benefit.
Please use the CONTACT PAGE if you need to contact someone.