Below is a piece by David Wareing in the CPSU 2009 – 2010: The Year in Review book. I was part of the latest reform in reagrds to Disability which took place in July 2010 where Service Coordination went over to Community Sector Organisations known as the Gateway. Disability Services Respite and Day Options will also follow suit.

 

To view the article abit more clearer click here: https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B7lliuKY8PQ-ZDIzOTBmMDItYTcyNy00NDBkLWJmMGYtOGRlMzUwZTU2MTNm&hl=en

 

 

These powerful pics were taken by Daisy Duke and uploaded onto our facebook page. Thanks for letting me display these pics Daisy !!

 

These photo’s are so awesome but very sad at the same time. I remembering sitting down on the Ward 4 Veranda on a beautiful sunny arvo having lunch only a few months ago, now its no more.

 

Do you have any fond memories of Ward 4, if so please leave a comment and share!

 

 

Ward 5 Ghost

 

Trevor Crowther Nurse 1988 – 2000.

Trevor stated that he was one of the last nurses to work on Wards C and D.

Trevor informed me that he mainly worked during the days and his Partner worked the night shifts. Trevor said that he lived within the RDH complex and would often walk up to Ward 5 at night to see how is partner was going or to give her some supper etc.

One day Trevor called into Ward 5 and was standing in the foyer section of the building along with 3 other people including a supervisor. They all stood and looked down the hallway on the West Wing, near the windows they noticed a white shimmer, or haze that had an upper torso/head and was following a staff member down the hallway.

Trevor stated that he decided to give it a go, so he also walked down the West Wing hallway although he could not see the ghost. The others that were standing up in the foyer once again saw the ghost appear like a haze and followed Trevor. Trevor said he didn’t see anything but he felt extremely cold and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.

Trevor said that this type of activity happened a fair bit after his experience until one day when he had a frightening experience.

Trevor stated that in the early hours of the morning approx 2am he got a phone call from his partner  names Staff member 1 (TAN) who was working on Ward 5. Staff member 1 stated that something was happening to a fellow staff member, Trevor heard a lot banging, crashing and screams over the phone so he stated that he would be on his way.

Trevor said when he arrived in Ward 5 he contacted the RDH Medical Services about the incident. Trevor stated he seen a Staff member (Staff member 2) on the ground in the Office shaking, white as a ghost and bashing his feet against the filing cabinet. Trevor said Staff member 2 was thrashing around and holding his throat. Trevor said Staff member 2 was yelling in a deep growly voice “Get it out of me Get it out of me” with a look of terror on his face the voice was not his voice but a voice which had a tone that I had never heard before. Trevor informed me that he recalled thinking to himself at the time whatever was doing this to Staff member 2 did not do it to him.

Trevor said the grabbed Staff member 2 by his shirt collar and took him outside in the fresh air to see if that would help, soon after this the RDH  Medical Services showed up which included Dr, Ambulance. The Night Shift Supervisor never attended.

Trevor said he spoke with Dr Pascha about the incident afterwards, Dr Pascha stated that he has admitted a lot of patients and seen a lot of incidents, fits, tantrums etc over his years at RDH and firmly believed that the signs and symptoms Staff member 2 was displaying could not have been faked.

A few days after the incident Trevor said that he spoke with Staff member 2 and he thanked him for staying with him throughout the incident and said he was terrified.

Trevor stated that after the incident a medium came into Ward 5 and claimed that there were 2 ghosts inside Ward 5, one being the Angry Ghost that attacked Staff member 2 and another.

Trevor said that someone from St Matthews Church in New Norfolk came into Ward 5 and did a cleansing which seemed to work.

 

Staff 1 (Female, Trained Auxiliary Nurse (TAN) )- Ward 5

Staff member 1 informed me that lots of things happened inside Ward 5. Staff member 1 said it was widely accepted that there were ghosts inside Ward 5, but they just accepted the fact and moved on based on their assumption the ghosts were harmless.

Below is a lost of some bizarre events that took place in Ward 5.

Staff member 1 said back in the old days there were slippers that had little bells on them and when people walked you could here the bells ringing. Staff member 1 said on the Ward at night you would hear someone scuffing there slippers, little bells ringing and a noise of something being dragged down the East Wing of Ward 5, when they checked they found no one.

Staff member 1 said that staff would fill up the urn at night, and by the next morning it was empty, with no signs or traces of where the water went.

Staff member 1 said several of her watches literally fell apart in Ward 5.

Once day in the Activity room Staff member 1 noticed an orb like substance however it was black and approximately the size of netball. The orb kinda of floated up high and was coming down from West wing. Staff member 1 said when she moved slowly the orbed also moved slowly. Staff member 1 stated when she moved quickly the orb like substance copied her again. Noticing that this was not normal staff person 1 ran and the orb came towards her very quickly and then all the sudden floated out the window.

Staff member 1 said that you would often smell toast being cooked late at night through the vents in the ceiling, but there was no one cooking at the time. Staff member 1 also said that they also heard music which sounded like church music or loud humming noises. Staff member 1 said she contacted Admin and they said it was just nearby houses with their music up loud. Staff member 1 said that this was not the case, but Admin would not listen.

Staff member 1 said there was a female patient on Ward 5 that had to have her bed perfect without wrinkles. Staff member 1 said if the bed had one wrinkle in it should would throw a tantrum and would not go back into her room or sleep until someone fixed it for her. Once night Staff member 1 stated that she heard this particular patient have a conversation to herself, Staff member 1 did really think much of it until next morning when she went to make the beds of the Ward and noticed that this patients bed was all mucked up with the mattress half on the floor. Staff member 1 new this was out of character for the patient and then remembered that she speaking to herself last night and wondered if she was interacting with the ghost?

Staff member 1 stated one day she was walking a blind patient back to her room when all of the sudden she couldn’t walk any further almost like she ran into an invisible brick wall. Staff member 1 said the blind patient continued walking and was not obstructed. Staff member 1 said out loud to let her past so she could support the blind patient and all of a sudden she could move again.

Staff member 1 said many more little incidents occurred on this ward and many of new staff were freaked out by it, but Staff member 1 stated that she used to calm the staff down and told them not to worry about it and to move on.

However one day her perception of the Ghost changed quite dramatically.

Staff member 1 said it was approximately 1am and herself and another staff member Staff member 2 were about to do the rounds. They walked down the West Wing and all of a sudden Staff member 2 pushed Staff member 1 against the wall. Staff member 1 just said “hey don’t do that”, and kept walking it happened again and again and Staff member 1 said to Staff member 2 “you are going to hurt me soon please stop”. Staff member 2 stated that something was making him push her.

Anyhow they finished the rounds and went back into the Nurses Office and again Staff member 2 pushed Staff member 1 against the filing cabinet. Staff member 2 said “it feels like something is inside me”.

Staff member 1 then noticed what she thinks was a white film behind Staff member 2 and all of a sudden Staff member 2 dropped to the floor and started thrashing around and holding his throat.

After the frightening incident many of the staff would not work on Ward 5.

Admin were informed of the incident and stated that if anyone spoke about the ghost and what happened they would be get the sack. Staff member 1 stated one day Admin contacted her and wanted to discuss the incident.

Several months later Staff member 1 met up with an old staff member who used to work on ward 5 when the paranormal activity was occurring. Staff member 1 asked the staff member what he saw and why he didn’t want to work back on Ward 5, the staff member was very reluctant to talk about it but said he saw a white figure.

Staff member 1 stated eventually Ward 5 closed not long after the incident and the patients were transferred. Staff member 1 said she really enjoyed working on 5 and one day walked over the exterior of ward 5 near the fruit tree when all of a sudden the window swung open. Staff member 1 said that was her last experience with the ward 5 ghost.

Staff member 1 said that she would like to go back to Ward 5 later this year or early next year.

 

At last nights DVC Meeting our Doco proposal for C Ward and Alonnah was approved by the majority of Councillors. The next step is to meet with the DVC to go over a few conditions etc.

Below is Aiden Sullivan’s write up of last nights meeting:

Last night I attended the Derwent valley council meeting where our request to conduct a paranormal investigation was on the agenda.

Our request was a big talking point of the night and I was amazed at the support I received from council members, barring a few of course.

First to stand was James who talked about the paranormal being more accepted in the wider community and that it does have a big following, Including himself who has been into the paranormal as a child.

He told people of our experiences and also gave us the big thumbs up with us going through the council for approval unlike some other teams.

Craig was next to take the stand, He commended us for coming through the council for permission and believed that it was a great idea as it is a talking point in the community. He said he completely supported us in this request we have put forward.

Damien now took the stand to say it had been a weird request but also a great one, He knows the great work we do for the site and knows we would try our hardest to create the best doco we could. He also put forward that we had indeed request C ward and Allonah and not just one of the buildings.

He then stated that the council should lead by example as we have come through the right paths for gaining access to the site and had not taken the path of another team that put a video on you tube that they thought contained the voice of an ex mayor.

Jim was the next in the ranks to give his opinion, He stated that paranormal was a part of everyday life whether we like it or not ( I personal felt that the wording he put together for that sentence was perfect and I could not sum up the world of the paranormal any better myself.) and that we should not be blocked in doing this doco. He also moved an amendment to get the “qualifications” scrubbed off the list of criteria, as he knows that there isn’t any courses available. He then asked me if we needed any licenses to use the equipment we use, I stated no and continued to tell them that we adapt every day equipment for the use in paranormal. Jim also moved an amendment to change the title to C ward and Allonah wards to give us access to both.

The mayor agreed and seen no trouble in giving us access to both.

Barry was next to speak, He stated that he did not believe in the paranormal so he could not support it. (Which is fair, everybody is entitled to their beliefs.)

Next was Judy, she commended us for coming through the council and not to take the matter into our own hands. Although she said she is sitting on the fence as it is a sensitive subject and that there might still be family’s in the community. (Judy is right, this is a touchy subject with people who lost family members within willow court. A.P.I.U are 100% respectful of this and try to be as careful as they can on investigation, Our doco will be aired by the council and if anything is confronting we will be willing to track down the family’s and ask for permission. If not we will leave it out.)

Narelle agreed and stated that she was also sitting on the fence about this.

(I’m willing to sit down with the council to find ways of working this out, whether it be asking for family permission or cutting out confronting parts.)

James

Jim

Damien

Craig

voted for us

Barry voted against

Judy and Narelle didn’t vote.

This is written in my words and doesn’t not reflect what each person said word for word.

Thank you

Aiden Sullivan

Co-founder/ Lead investigator

 

Todays 18/8/10  Article in the Mercury about the DVC tough conditions for our Doco Proposal.

As most people would be aware we would like to do a doco/paranormal investigation of the Barracks Precinct Wards of Willow Court.  Our proposal is going before the Council meeting on the 19/8/10.

Finger Crossed !!!!!

To read our proposal on the DVC agenda please Click the below link.

https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=16dVuOr8Rl-JnedcQoArCvbw5ZQZ7czkCdiNQfVZXLx4&hl=en

 

New RDH paranormal account, to view more please visit the paranormal section on the menu.

 

RDH Staff Houses

Mathew Tennant worked at the Royal Derwent/Willow Court as a cleaner from 1994 until the closure and also lived in a staff house at 2 Lower Rd for 4 years in which time myself and two of my mates experienced 3 separate paranormal events also some strange happenings in the house.

 

 Account 1

Mathew said that night the house felt weird like something was there. Mathew said they were watching TV about 9pm when his friend that was on the couch suddenly jumped up and ran across the room, shaking. Mathew said that his flat mate stated that he heard something whisper in his ear but couldn’t make out what it was.

 

 Account 2

Mathew stated he was sleeping on the couch at about 2am, Matthew said he woke normally, then all of a sudden he heard a voice say “Watch him”. Mathew stated that it sounded as if the ghost was speaking to another ghost at the time.

 

Account 3

Mathew said about 12 months after the other incidents he was asleep in bed one night and woke up paralysed. Mathew said he couldn’t move a muscle. Mathew stated that shouted out “get the Fuck off” and all of a sudden he was able to move.

 

Misc

Mathew said he used to keep a room locked in the house because it was full of expensive music equipment. Mathew said on occasions he would go in there and found the door unlocked, or cupboard door and drawers opened. Mathew said because of the equipment in this room he always made sure the door was locked and drawer’s shut.

Matthew lights used to turn on over night by themselves.

Mathew stated that a self proclaimed psychic came into the house after hearing Mathews experiences and stated that there was something inside the house.

 

Royal Derwent’s Nurses Home

Mathew stated one day himself and a colleague were cleaning the second and third floors of the Nurse home. Mathew stated he took the third floor whilst his Colleague the second floor.

Whilst working up there Mathew heard the lift come up and stop at his level. Mathew stated he heard the doors open and heard what sounded like someone pushing a cleaner’s trolley into the kitchen area. Mathew stated he sang out to his College to see if it was her. Mathew heard no response, he sang out a few more time until he hard

his college down stairs via the stairwell.

 Mathew heard reports of something on the Top Level of the Nurses Home. And he stated at night you would notice the elevator moving.

 

It was reported today at 7:30am by Aiden Sullivan that work had begun on demolishing Ward 4 which was used for alcoholics but changed to a mixed rehab ward for some of the better, more independent patients 20 – 50 year old. Usually locked after 7pm

It appears that the developer is knocking down 1 ward a month at the current rate. With only approx 6 Wards plus the chapel left at this rate there maybe some hope that part of the former RDH will be still standing in 2011.

Ward 4 demolition pics uploaded shortly.

 

Nick

 

I recall getting an enquiry about ECT in RDH and WCC, I did a bit of research at the library and come up with some brief information about its first uses in WCC.

To view please hover over the WCC & RDH Info button and ECT with be in the drop down menu.

 

 

I have updated the Real Life Stories to include 2 more stories from RDH and WCC. To view the updated post hover over the WCC & RDH info button then on the drop down menu click on Real Life Stories.

Nick

 

 

I have updated the Willow Court Ward Descriptions to include some early history of Willow Court. To find the info please hover over the  WCC & RDH info button and the press Willow Court Ward Descirption for the update piece.

Nick

 

This floorplan is the virtually identical for Wards 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11.

• Wards 3 and 4 are identical and are a bit different to the below Floorplan. 

• Wards 7 and 10 are identical and are bit different to the below Floorplan  .

 

Today our Willow Court Facebook group hit over 500 members!!

I’m really pleased with the amount if support we have gained from the community it shows that their is a lot of interest in the Historic Site and people care about it enough to join.

Knowing Facebook we will probably lose a few members here and there and drop below 500 again, but I’m still happy that we passed the barrier at least once.

To view our Facebook group and possibly join if you haven’t please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132071260450&ref=search#!