Open Day – Willow Court Tasmania

Stories from the Asylum

November 17, 2020 4 Comments

The Friends of Willow Court Special Committee are holding a two day event in and around the Barracks Building on 28 & 29 November to acknowledge the closure of the Willow Court side of the Royal Derwent Hospital. The event will be officially (invite only) opened by, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC and the schedule of Speakers include Professor Hamish Maxwell-Stewart (Convict Historian), Margaret Reynolds (ex teacher Lachlan Park Hospital), Pete Smith (ex staff member) and poet Liz McQuilkin. co author of Renovating Madness (Karen Knight and Liz McQuilkin 2018).

Music will be from the Derwent Valley Concert Band who will bring back the sounds of the concert bands that were based at the Hospital.

‘Stories from the Asylum’

***NEW UPDATED PROGRAM***

‘Stories from the Asylum’ marks the 20^thanniversary of the closure of Willow Court that falls on 28^thNovember, 2020. The event seeks to acknowledge this milestone in the asylum’s 193 year history through talks by guest speakers, poetry, music, storyboards, and podcasts (QR code only) recordings of former staff reflecting on their time at the hospital, and the Roses from the Heart bonnet tribute to the convict women who spent time at the New Norfolk asylum.

Saturday 28 November

10 – 11:30 Punishment and Health in convict Van Diemen’s Land – Hamish Maxwell- Stewart

11:30 – 12 Renovating Madness – Liz McQuilkin poetry readings

12 – 1 pm Music – Derwent Valley Band Brass Quintet

1 – 1:30 Renovating Madness – Liz McQuilkin poetry readings

2-3 pm Sharing Some Insights into the Closure of Willow Court – Pete Smith

Sunday 29^thNovember

10 – 12 Digital Future for Tasmanian History – Hamish Maxwell-Stewart

12-1 pm Music Derwent Valley Band Saxophone Quartet

1 – 2 pm Punishment and Health in convict Van Diemen’s Land – Hamish Maxwell- Stewart

2 – 3 pm Reflections on Lachlan Park Hospital school – Margaret Reynolds – former teacher

3:30 – 4 pm Music Derwent Valley Band Saxophone Quartet

Global, Local

Open day postponed due to unfinished building works

September 22, 2014 No Comments

The open day which was announced by the Willow Court Conservation Committee and the Derwent Valley Council and planning meetings have been underway has been postponed. The DVC has produced no advertising material despite asking people to prepare and present displays. This postponement is due to unfinished works on Bronte Ward. Another planning meeting is to be held Wednesday and I should know more details from that meeting. I will pass this on as soon as a new date is confirmed.

The Derwent Valley Council will be holding an “open the site” day of the Willow Court Heritage Precinct on 27th and 28 in September 2014.

The idea is to show the public what has been done to the historic location with conservation works over the last 18 months. Although the Council, have only just notified groups, there is a plan for:

Display of before and after photos by the Project Officer Mr. Brett Noble,

Display from the New Norfolk Historic Centre and

Input and displays from the Friends of Willow Court and the Friends of Frascati House.

More news when it comes to hand.

Global, Local

Open day, possible delay

September 2, 2014 No Comments

The last weekend in September is the intended open weekend, but due to some vandalism over the weekend this may be delayed. Apparently, ‘someone’ possibly climbed the fence, broke a window, stole cabling from conduit laid ready for the power that was to go on, then broke another window. Although vandalism is on a small scale at the moment, steps are in place for future prevention. We hope once caught that the Owner the DVC will prosecute for the destruction of this heritage property.

There will be meetings this week and next to plan for the event as scheduled in the hope that repairs will be complete

.

Global

Willow Court, New Norfolk, was the site of a wonderful event over the week-end

May 13, 2013 1 Comment

[nggallery id=13]

Derwent Valley Players, in conjunction with the Friends of Willow Court, presented two original plays, written by Sharon Hutchison and directed by Vivienne de Bressac. Sharon played Matron Coates, Lin Hopkins was Mrs. Smythe-Jones, the Vicar’s wife, and Denise Rushworth was Sarah, the Matron’s maid.

The South Wing of the Barracks was transformed into a small theatre and a beautiful Tea Room, complete with white linen table cloths, flowers on every table and beautiful crockery. High tea was served between the two plays, with patrons being offered cucumber sandwiches, asparagus rolls, both chocolate and lemon cake, and little chocolate nibbles, not to mention scones, presented in lovely flowered boxes, raspberry jam and cream, and a choice of tea or coffee!

There were two performances each day, with great audience attendance for all four shows. The patrons left the Barracks with many a “thank you”, “it was wonderful” “we didn’t expect the tea room to be so lovely”, “the scones were delicious” “you’ve done a lot of work” and generally an air of great appreciation for the overall experience. A wonderful time was had by all.

We would like to thank Ilene, at Pennyworth, for the loan of much of the crockery, platters etc, her friend Kaye, for the generous loan of the beautiful table linen and Aurora Disability for baking the scrumptious scones. And, of course, those few members of FOWC who were able to help (you know who you are)

Cheers, Vivienne

Local

Congratulations

January 29, 2013 No Comments

CERTIFICATES recognising the community service of a number of local residents were presented at the Derwent Valley Council’s Australia Day celebration on Saturday including Friends of Willow Courts own, Sharon Hutchison.

Sharon Hutchison: Long-term community service through Derwent Valley
Regional Arts, Derwent Valley Community Choir, Tyga FM, Derwent Valley Players
and the Friends of Willow Court

You may know her as “The Matron” or part of the Derwent Valley Community Choir, both performing at the last open day.

Follow The New Norfolk News click HERE

Global

Frescati Heritage Open Day

January 20, 2013 2 Comments

What a wonderful time listening to Margaret Richards, the daughter of Dr Brothers, Medical Superintendent this afternoon and looking through Frescati House during the Heritage open day. Margaret lived at Frascati from 1935-1946 with her family up until the age of 11 years. I hope that I will have some audio and picture loaded soon.

[nggallery id=12]

Local

Willow Court Open Day Report

January 11, 2013 No Comments

This was in the New Norfolk Gazette. By Damian Bester

Global

Here is our 2012 Report Card

December 26, 2012 No Comments

From the Team here at Willow Court Tasmanian Advocacy Group we hoped you had a safe and happy Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year.

Thank you for your ongoing support in seeing the Vision of Willow Court as a sensitive and respectful tourist attraction and museum that interprets the story, not only of the people that worked at the Centre, but those that called it “Home”.

Report Card 2012

Cheers

Mark Krause

Local

End of year celebrations

December 1, 2012 2 Comments

Last night the Friends of Willow Court celebrated the year that was and thanked all those that were involved in the working bees etc.

Rod and Scott relaxed with a beer or two and some stories at a spit roast hosted by Chris and Anne Salt.

It’s great to have a relaxed time with our hard working and dedicated team of people who love their Community and Willow Court.

Thanks Rod for the wonderful rendition of Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson’s poems, they added a unique Australian feel to the night and gave us an insight into Rod’s acting which we may see more of during the next open day?

Thanks Anne and Chris for a wonderful night and all the hard work!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all supporters of Willow Court from the team.

Ps. Elections and planning for January events are underway and we look forward to seeing lots of people.

Cheers

Mark

Global

“Open Days” tab now on the website

November 21, 2012 No Comments

A new tab has been added to the website containing images and footage of open days at Willow Court. Many volunteers work hard to present lots of activities and learning experiences that are senstitive and respectful to the past history of the site. Run by the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee, open days are recorded here to show the new history and the positive work that a community is working towards. Open Days Tab