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.”
8 Comments
Well done Mark on keeping the public informed on such developments that are proposed for this historically priceless and extremely vulnerable property.
Allowing access to the site while it is so vulnerable would be irresponsible of the owners.
Report without Fear or Favour. Thanks Anne
What an experience that would be, if theres any chance of going with you please that is one place I would love to explore👻👻👻👻👻
The APIU are devaluing the historical heritage of Willow Court and, more widely, New Norfolk by engaging in blatant and fanciful pseudoscience and live action role play (“LARPing”) of thriller movies. They are not, in any way shape or form, investigators. They are acting out fantasies. The Port Arthur Historical Site Management Authority have walked a fine line (just) by leveraging ghost stories and so-called paranormal investigations to value add to the historical experience and stakeholder engagement, but what APIU are doing falls short of that mark. Thanks to the strong following of so-called ghost hunters in tabloid and social media Willow Court is at risk of being associated with this stupidity rather than the importance of its history. I strongly urge Willow Court History Group to keep defending Willow Court’s history and the respect and memory of all those who were part of its heritage. APIU claim to do that, but they also make extraordinary, unscientific and unproven claims of the paranormal that deeply disrespects the memory of those who once lived at Willow Court.
I completely agree with you, Andrew. Willow Court is far too important a site of historical value, not to mention the stories of tragedy, pain, loss but also caring, love and education that the site represents. To belittle it and all those who were part of it’s history in this grubby way is reprehensible.
As for Frascatti House, it was a home for many families and I’m sure no more haunted than my home.
I sincerely hope that DVC don’t allow this sensationalism to continue.
This poorly produced and repetitive music without dialogue pseudo-doco is just rubbish. Jarvo and his cohorts Adrian would have done a lot better if they had actually cleaned up some of the litter, graffiti and vandalism in this important Historic Site rather than glorifying it ! APIU are cheap low-rent wankers and are wasting everyone’s time yet again. Go away ! We need serious and mature interpretation of Willow Court that presents an honest professional perspective. Times were tough and mistakes were made, same as in the penal system of that time. I hold an open mind to the paranormal and am a known “sensitive” with a substantial history. Cheap exploitation of this place for money and quick bucks will backfire badly. Please stay away from $$ $ driven occult activities for your own sake. Cash driven occult activities for your entertainment are very dangerous. Don’t play with things you do not understand. The paranormal is a gift for helping others, living or deceased. You have been given the best possible advice. Derwent Valley Council should not allow any more “Magick”, “Thorspel”, or “Lady Strange” black-evil in this place. It diminishes everyone and sucks away positive energy from us all.
I am absolutely disgusted by the name Satan’s House . I speak for my deceased friend Margaret Richards who lived in Frascati for 11 years . Her father was the Docter in charge of the facility for that time . Dr Charles Brothers. He was amuch loved and respected man with a genuine care for and ability to improve the lives of those with mental illness .
The Brothers family lived very happily in Frascati , no stories of any ghosts were ever imagined and Margaret had an enlarged photo of the house on her wall up until she died ,as it held such beautiful memories for her . She would be horrified to hear of such tours going through her chilhood home. I know Dr Brothers grandchildren would be dismayed at the name and of the treatment of Frascati in that manner.
We fully agree that it is disrespectful and now this group is in partnership with the New Norfolk Distillery Group who have been approved to start their business proposal within Willow Court.I can’t see this getting any better. Thankfully the Arts community will take a lease hold of Frascati House and we may see some dignity and respect returned to the history of this place.
Cheers
Mark Krause