New document released

A couple of months ago I received a beautiful copy of Troubled Asylum to be sold on behalf of a friend. I receive, what I would consider the best copy I have yet seen and inside found a four page document. The document is original and is clearly marked “Royal Derwent Hospital, New Norfolk, Tasmania” and is titled

“Historical Notes. Present Day Statistics, Objectives and Functions”.

It was written by the then Psychiatrist Superintendent

Dr R. V. Parton, dated, August 1978.

A copy of this four page document is stored in the Archives of Tasmania LINK, however there are differences of the creation date. It is believed that the copy of Trouble Asylum was given to the then local Anglican Minister of New Norfolk as a thank you for his ongoing support to the Author, Ralph W Gowlland. It is believed  that the four page document was owned and used by the author, Ralph Gowlland for his book.

Historical Notes, Present Day Statistics, Objectives and Functions

Dr Parton was the Psychiatrist Superintendent from 1976 (acting) 1977 and wrote the Forward to a Troubled Asylum a book containing the history of Willow Court from 1827 til 1981 when the book was first published. The soft cover second edition which contains extra information was published in 1996.

On another Troubled Asylum note, the last copy sold from “Just Tassie Books” in Campbell Town Tasmania was sold to David Walsh, owner of the Mona Museum and was reported to have been purchase for the Museum’s Library.

It is great to know that there is a copy available for the public to read besides those at the Tasmanian Library.

 

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Looking for a “Dirty Weekend” of PD?

Willow Court, Dirty Weekend Facebook Page

Getting ready for 2018 at Willow Court means a new Archaeology Dig. As part of that there is a professional development event for teachers who wish to get down and dirty onsite at a real archaeological site and event. Information is available on the two above links.

Attention teachers of History!

One season just wasn’t enough and the ‘Dirty Weekend’ of archaeology for teachers is on again for 2018!

Have you ever wanted to participate in a genuine archaeological excavation, but never thought you would have the opportunity?
For those who dream of getting their hands dirty, a joint project between Flinders University and the University of Tasmania will give you the opportunity to get in the trenches with real archaeologists and help uncover Australia’s material culture history.

The Dirty Weekend of Archaeology for teachers will be held at Willow Court, New Norfolk, Tasmania from 9th – 12th February 2018.

There are 8 places allocated for in-service teachers! Applications close Friday 15th December 2017. The first step is to fill in the Expression of Interest form at:

Expression of Interest Document

After completing this, a link to pay a $600 Professional Learning Fee (PLF) will be emailed to you so you can arrange electronic payment. This will secure your place on the team. Full payment of the PLF is due by Tuesday 19th December 2017. Once we have confirmed your place in the program and you have paid your fee it will not be refundable.

The PLF will cover:
• Preparatory video lectures and site orientation.
• Information booklet and suggestions for classroom activities.
• On-site instruction and supervision from archaeologists and team leaders.
• Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
• All excavation equipment.
• Certificate of Completion from the University of Tasmania as evidence of your participation in Professional Learning.

The Dirty Weekend of Archaeology at Willow Court is an amazing opportunity for teachers to learn practical archaeological skills, more about Australian history, and how to translate this learning into classroom activities to engage students.

Here is this year’s Southern Cross coverage of the open days that went with this event.

 

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APIU, DVC may approve tour of “Satan’s House”!

Last night the Derwent Valley Council (DVC) discussed a proposal for the (APIU) Australian Paranormal Investigation Unit (collection of friends) to conduct After Dark Tours (Paranormal Tours) of Frascati House. Previously the Group have referred to the house as Satan’s House in a podcast interview with Naked Zombie TV.

They also have told the interviewer about their experiences of “mild possession, unexplained scratches, evil presences, ghosts following people home”

While the group say they are not prone to over exaggeration or being disrespectful the above comments and naming of the place as “Satan’s House” would have to be questioned.

Frascati has a wonderful and long history starting with it’s construction in 1834, later it was the home of the many Medical Superintendents and then a Training Centre for some of the Residents.

“This request comes about as a result of the APIU recognising that Frascati House plays an important role in the history of the Willow Court precinct.
The APIU has indicated that they have had a discussion with a member of Friends of Frascati and at the time of writing was intending to attend a committee meeting of that group to discuss the After Dark Tours.

The APIU has advised that if the Council approves its request the use of Frascati House will not be advertised in its promotional material, rather it will be referred to as a ‘secret location’.

This will assist in preventing unwanted attempts to access the building prior to the tours. Further to this the APIU will ensure that the area will be patrolled during the tour operations to ensure that the site is kept secure.
All profits made from the tour will be donated to the Council for use in restoration activities on the site.

Should the APIU wish to conduct additional tours on any part of the Willow Court site a further report will be presented to the Council.”

Item 10.7 DVC agenda

 

 

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Lachlan Park Hospital circa 1960.

httpvh://youtu.be/Wk2CURa9SJA

Lachlan Park Hospital circa 1950-60.

This footage shows the Barracks from the rear enclosed yard which was demolished in the early 1960’s, H Ward and I Ward which were both female Wards, the old clock tower and accommodation rooms on the west side of the hospital including the old metal fold up bed which came from Port Arthur. Black & White silent footage.

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Friends groups after same thing

A passion, willing to put in loads of volunteer work, learn new skills, travel, gain certificates, fund raise and bend the ear of the Local, State and Federal Politicians.

If this sounds like the thing you wish to do after a full working live, then you are in good company.

The Friends of Willow Court Annual General Meeting was held Wednesday night last week and Guest Speaker, Dallas Baker OAM from the Friends of Deal Island told us about the restoration works that they are doing and showed many pictures of the impressive works so far. Dallas has also served as caretaker on the island four time totalling 12 months of full time occupation of the light house and homestead areas.

The connection between Friends of Deal Island and the Friends of Willow Court is Mark Woodley the heritage plasterer who gave tours at Willow Court during a Heritage Month activity in 2016.

Mark has reported that one of the old homesteads on Deal Island is the best house in Tasmania, due to the fact that there was never any late alterations of plumbing or electricity, so the structure remained as it was first built.

It was clear that Heritage is very much an over looked and under funded area, but also an area that is in high demand through tourism.

Dallas informed us about the great history of the area, the need for the light house after the shipwrecks. The lighthouse is one of the highest and during fog is too high for ships to see. It has suffered the same fate as many light houses with the advanced navigational equipment available to ships today and sits as a reminder of the harder and dangerous times of sailing.

What is clear is that there are Friends Groups throughout Tasmania all full of active citizens working hard to preserve our heritage. Also in attendance was Ian Lacey who was the Tidy Towns representative. The two groups have recently announced a joint partnership with the conservation of the Willow Court perimeter wall. The job was stopped in 2015 due to the lack of funding but the joint partners have received  a small grant to purchase some scaffolding to continue the job.

Below is the Chair person’s report for the 2016-17 year from the Friends of Willow Court.

Friends of Willow Court
Chairpersons Report
Annual General Meeting
13 September 2017
It is with pleasure that I present this, the fifth report for the Friends of Willow Court special committee of the Derwent Valley Council.
Activities undertaken by the committee over the last 12 months include the following:
* Reviewed and accepted the revised Terms of Reference
* Three committee members participated in the Willow Court Access Working Group to
determine a cost structure and terms of access to the council owned part of Willow
Court
* Held a BBQ at Woolworths to raise funds for Willow Court and to promote the work of
the committee to the public
* Liaised with Assoc Prof Heather Burke on working together to host the open day in
February
* Liaised with the DVC on conducting history walks during the open day at Willow Court in February
* Liaised with DVC to waive access fees to WC Barracks precinct for the open day tours
and Heritage Month Fiddle Excursion
* Visited Willow Court on two occasions to conduct onsite historical research of the
buildings and related social history to assist in the development of walking tour
information guides
* Conducted history walks during the open day that attracted 300-400 people to the site
* Co hosted the open day High Tea with Derwent Valley Players. This event was a huge
success with many compliment on both the play and the sumptuous high tea
* Hosted a BBQ for Associate Professor Heather Burke and her archaeology students
* Liaise with historian Peter MacFie to develop the Heritage Month Fiddle Excursion
* Hosted the Fiddle Excursion in May, which was an outstanding success and a real credit
to the committee, with many compliments from participants on the excellent
organisation of the event, and the wonderful exposure of a unique part of the Derwent
Valley’s history.
* Represented FoWC at the Built Heritage seminar at Parliament House. The seminar was
an outcome of the Legislative Council Built Heritage Report which identified that more
input in specific areas was needed.
* Met with representatives of Tasmania’s Most Haunted to discuss concerns with their
proposed project in the Willow Court Barracks precinct
* Successfully applied for a DVC Community Grant for the purchase of scaffolding that will
enable FoWC and Derwent Valley Tidy Towns to progress the lime washing of the Willow
Court perimeter wall that was started in 2015
* Unsuccessfully applied for a grant from the DVC Works budget to fund safety equipment
needed for the WC wall lime washing project
* Two committee members participated in the Oral History workshop to develop technical
skills and understanding of the procedures involved in recording oral histories. It is the
committees intention to continue to record histories to preserve the living history of
Willow Court for future generations

In closing I would like to take this opportunity to thank committee members for their ongoing support and enthusiasm for the projects we have undertaken this year.
I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful support provided by DVC staff to assist FoWC with the organization of the open day and Fiddle Excursion.
Thank you also to Councilor Pearce for his support of the committee throughout the last year.
Again, while we are a small committee we can be proud of what we have achieved for Willow Court in the past year.
Thank you
Anne Salt
Chairperson
2016/17

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Linc Tasmania search family history

I have many requests from people who are searching for Patient file of their family member. There are complications when searching, one of those is to know what the Hospital was called during the time your family member was a Patient, because the institution had many names during it’s 174 year history.

At this stage we can’t offer a search facility or assistance because of the groups limitations. People can always post on the Facebook Group to see if there is anyone who would know your family member.

Its also great to see the Tasmanian Government recommending the Willow Court Tasmania History Group’s website as a credible place for information about the hospital and it’s history.

Search Family History

Patient Record Books

Female Convict Research Centre

Helpful Link

Find and Connect

Below is one of a number of replies I received from this article and is the often untold message from families. Thank you Lauren for allowing me to share this.

“Hi Mark,

you directed me to the Linc a few weeks ago, I was looking for my mum’s long lost brother who died as a boy at New Norfolk, all we knew was his name and a very rough timeline of when he was born and admitted to RDH. Our trip to Linc recovered the details of his condition, admittance, birth and death dates, who admitted him…and best of all, we found his unmarked grave at Malbina Cemetery.”

Thanks Mark!

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Friends to continue preservation

Image result for Deal island lighthouse

The Friends of Willow Court announced in partnership with the Derwent Valley Tidy Towns group, that work to preserve the outer perimeter wall at Willow Court will continue.

Thanks to some funding from the owners, the Derwent Valley Council the limewash and restoration will continue. The works to preserve the wall stopped in December 2015, two months after restoration work on the whole site ground to a stopped in November of the same year. No funding has been forthcoming for the site through either State of Federal Governments and almost appears to be off the agenda again.

The AGM of the Friends of Willow Court will also be held tomorrow night and Guest Speaker, Dallas Baker OAM will present his experience as a conservation volunteer at Deal Island.

 

Friends of Willow Court
Annual General Meeting
13 September 2017
7pm
Derwent Valley Community House
Guest Speaker Dallas Baker OAM
Dallas will talk about his experience as a volunteer on the maintenance of the Deal Island convict built (1848) lighthouse.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend the meeting.
The Friends of Willow Court together with DV Tidy Towns will commence a project this year to continue lime washing of the entire Willow Court perimeter wall after receiving a DVC Community Grant to purchase scaffolding for the project. Anyone interested in this project can contact Friends of Willow Court via friendsofwillowcourt@gmail.com

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