1959 Map of Lachlan Park Hospital

Map New Norfolk 1959 click here 

This map was measured in “scale of chains” and drawn by E. W. N. Butcher in 1866. It was then changed in 1904, 1938 and 1948. If you zoom in you can read the then current land title holders names. The map shows the land that was acquired for the expansion of the ever increasing needs for hospital under the medical model of treatment. This massive growth was demanded throughout the hospitals history and later became one of the reasons, along with changing ideas, for the downfall of the medical model of treatment. The map also includes the township of New Norfolk and sections of the town on the opposite side of the Derwent River. The site still remains unusual in this location close to a township, as most Asylums were located away from populated areas and therefore the two histories are and will remain closely linked.

http://blog.landregistry.gov.uk/a-scale-of-chains-measurement-and-surveying/

 

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New access rules and costs to be discussed at the next council meeting

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The owners of the Willow Court have recently had a number of workshops to develop some parameters when people and groups wish to access the heritage site. The last workshop was attended by two members of the Friends of Willow Court, Councillors Julie Triffett and Barry Lathey and the General Manager of the Derwent Valley Council.

Educational and Historical groups did not attend and were not invited.

During this time they have considered and will propose a number of things at the next DVC meeting for approval:

Application of site use, (which includes insurance either from the DVC or separate, groups name and type of event. It isn’t clear about use of toilet facilities in the leased section of the site.)

Opening the gate fee

Cost per person for entry 

Safety audits

Security arrangements

Bond

Any tours will have to have their scripts approved by the Council.

Access to the remaining part of the site when the Agrarian Kitchen take up their leased section will be closed off by a number of clear panels, it is proposed.

This will be put to the next DVC meeting.

Even though there hasn’t been a process of “Expressions Of Interest” a number of groups have been given access to the site outside of any process. 

The proposed “night tour” entertainment group has not had any script approved according to the General Manager and the EOI process will be up to Council to discuss and develop.

It was also noted from recent public comments that there was more public access to the site in 2014 than what is being proposed by Council or on offer today.

 

 

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John Langford

This 2016 interview with John Langford AM explores John’s experiences working at Lachlan Park Hospital/Royal Derwent Hospital located in New Norfolk Tasmania from 1962 through the seventies when he set up community based support organisations in the psycho-social model, a philosophy that he had studied in the United Kingdom to support those people with mental health issues that didn’t require incarceration.

A trained Psychiatric Social Worker, John, at the age of 80 years took the time off his full time job to speak with me. He recently opened an accommodation centre in Mackay Queensland to assist people in crisis and has been awarded the highest honour you can get from Rotary Australia the ‘Paul Harris Award’.

This now matched his 2014 member of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours list. It was a delight to meet and talk with this gentleman who has dedicated his life’s work to people with mental health issues, intellectual disabilities and those in crisis.

He starts with telling about the shock he received when he first started and was given a tour, this is not dis-similar to the comments I have received by many ex-staff when they first started. He then discussed the community based structures and training at the hospital that came out from the leadership of Eric Cunningham Dax. He was instrumental in a number of organisations including PRA, Community Hostels, Caroline House and Mara House.

John was one of a number of people who were in positions at the hospital that were able to make a real difference and it was only mentioned to me recently that we need to gather that history, so this is, one person and how they have and are still contributing to the ongoing care and support of people living with mental health issues and\or intellectual disabilities.

The interview goes for just over 23 minutes. Adjust to high Definition.

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