A working bee by the Friends of Willow Court Committee, yesterday applied a second coat of special heritage approved paint and a first coat of a sandstone coloured finish to the concrete wall below the fence at the town entrance to Willow Court. Planned works to finish the job were delayed because of ill health to the heritage restoration expert, Mr Rod Quarrel, but yesterday he supervised a small number of the Friends of Willow Court to continue this vital works in keeping the Derwent Valley’s heritage in a condition to be enjoyed for future generations. Many members of the public came to see the works, share their stories and thank the volunteers. The first visit was Councillor James Graham who stopped to talk to Ann Salt, Chair woman of the Friends of Willow Court committee and a candidate for the next Council elections to be held next month. The friends of Willow Court are seeking new members at the moment to assist in the up coming open days and events that are planned for the partly preserved heritage site. Another coat and days work is planned for the near future to complete the task. The missing gate will soon be replaced after recent repairs. The lost fence up rights bars have been replaced and fixed in place by a local blacksmith, employed by the Derwent Valley Council and are indistinguishable from the original bars. The large cast iron upright pillars absorbed the paint finish and when wet took on a gloss finish, but will settle to a faded black when fully dry. Special thanks go to the workers, Chris Salt, Ann Salt and Mark Krause, but the job wouldn’t have proceeded without the good health and dedication of Mr Rod Quarrel.
The case of the missing gate
Yesterday it was noticed that one of the gates to the avenue was missing and questions were asked to find where it had gone. After a short investigation it was found out that they had been removed for repair after being vandalised. This weekend the Friends of Willow Court will again be working on the front fence and remaining gate under the supervision of Rod Quarrall. Rod has been ill and the job was delayed, but we are glad to see him again this weekend. Stop by and say hello if you are in the area, Rod, like the Friends of Willow Court donates every minute of his time with this project and the conservation of Willow Court as it reaches the end of its first stage.
Two large trees that were recorded in the Botanical Report have also been removed, one because it was rotten and posed a danger and will be replaced with the same species,
the other one because it was in appropriately planted in the first place. The stumps will be removed.
Royal Derwent Hospital Siren (New podcast)
When the siren went off at RDH Tasmania at the asylum, the local community knew what to do, children and adults ran indoors and waited until the siren sounded again to indicate the all clear. What was this about? The siren indicated that a patient had escaped the hospital and different sounds meant different levels of alert and danger. How did visitors and the children feel about this? This conversation between New Norfolk Councillor James Graham, Anne Salt and Mark Krause discusses some of the stories about the alarm. Recorded during the restoration of the front gates in 2012.
“I think children’s reactions depended on if they had parents who worked in the hospital. As kids 10-12 years old, if the siren went off a group of us got on our bikes and went to see what ward the action was going on at. We were taught not to be scared of the people there just because they had physical or mental health issues…” Lyell Wilson
“The Lachlan Park Hospital will sound a siren when a patient is considered dangerous escapes” The medical administrator of the hospital (Dr J.R.C. Weatherly) said yesterday the alarm would be three ten-second blasts at five-second intervals. If the patient were recaptured within five hours of the alarm being given. an “all clear”, one thirty second blast would be sounded. De Weatherly said the siren would be tested each Friday at noon. The test would be a single 15-second blast. (Troubled Asylum)
Here is our 2012 Report Card
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”.
Cheers
Mark Krause
End of year celebrations
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
It is done!
At long last the fence and old gates are finished. Rod and Scott along with all the various volunteers deserve a beer and a pat on the back. What a transformation!
Just imagine this transformation to the Barracks and Willow Court site? It’s possible within our time but takes a community that is willing and able.
Volunteers are needed, if you have a passion for history to be respectfully and sensitively restored and told, why not put your name down at the next open day on the 18th November.
Open day details HERE
See the full evolution HERE
Photos from the two weekend’s working bee.
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The last 10 photos are from this weekends working bee to finish off the fence and gates and WOW they look fantastic with a coat of pitch and kero. Well done Guys and Girls.
Willow Court Shopping Village Gates
The Gates that Haydn & Penny Pearce bought from England are being installed today. Leading off The Avenue into the privately owned Willow Court Shopping Village this will give the public two access points to the many new businesses in the shopping village.
Trades people are working today to straighten the gates and install them onto the newly placed posts, despite cold, wet and forecast snow down to the 700m level conditions, it is hoped that they will be installed before the open day at the Barracks on the 18th November 2012.
The second working bee to restore the original Willow Court Gates will happen this weekend, weather permitting.
Committee Nomination Forms (Friends of Willow Court)
Want to get involved in the sensitive and respectful restoration of Willow Court? Here is your opportunity, download and print the nomination form and return to the General Manager Stephen Mackey DVC via this email address; executiveassistant@dvc.tas.gov.au
Even if you just want to volunteer at the working bees, you will need to be on this committee as a non executive committee member to obtain the insurance cover that is offered by DVC. Those interested in being on the executive or committee should forward their nomination no later than Friday 2 November 2012.
Need to talk about it? mark@willowcourttasmania.org
New audio interview with former resident Geoffrey, who helped out with restoration of the Willow Court gates
6th October 2012 Working Bee at the gates of Willow Court Tasmania, former Resident, Geoffrey came to visit and helped us out with some safety tips and told me about some of his life inside Willow Court and outside. How apt to have a former resident visiting us to offer his advice at the first restoration working bee at the entrance to his former home. *LANGUAGE WARNING*