http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/inst_care/report/c04.htm

4.89 A number of submissions reported people being placed in mental homes for what was apparently a form of punishment for misbehaviour such as running away, refusing to work or perform chores or arguing with Sisters or staff. The use of drugs to pacify children for what may now be considered high spirited or adolescent behaviour was also common and is referred to in the previous section. The use of such institutions for adolescent children is unjustifiable and the impact that it had upon them incalculable.

At the age of 12, I was taken to theLachlan Park Asylum…

I used to look after the little kids in this place. I’ll never forget the ones with encephalitis – there were about 6 or 7 of them – with their swollen heads just lying in their cots waiting to die. There were also 5 girls in there who were just vegetables, 3 were sisters…Once I remember the nurses putting hot water bottles on them without covers on them and they got bad burns. There were also 25 little Downs Syndrome children who would be taken out of their beds each morning and strapped onto potty chairs where they stayed all day until they were bathed in the afternoon and put back to bed. They weren’t allowed to walk or run around…

As the children’s ward was not locked, I decided to escape one day, but I didn’t know how to get out. I remember it being freezing cold and the nurses found me before I could get out. They took me back to the children’s ward and gave me a tablet, which I spat out. Later they came back and told me to get dressed, and they then took me to another ward where I could hear lots of screaming. This was where they kept the ‘real crazies’. They put me in a cell with a small peephole in the door. I was so scared I couldn’t sleep. (Sub 182)

This letter from LEN W. LANGAN was in last weeks Derwent Valley Gazette.

This article is taken from New Norfolk News

I perosnally agree with most of the articles comments but not about the demolition. Royal Derwent has been demolished but what good did that do for the site????

Willow Court – A jewel within a jewel
                            
“ONE expresses a northern dweller’s view of New Norfolk as a many faceted sparkling gemstone set in our island state. It is redolent with the charm of our history. Sadly the institutional bodies responsible for the preservation of our historic built heritage have never taken it seriously enough to preserve or promote it as a major tourist attraction. Still less have they fought for the funding necessary to save its iconic jewels for our nation.  

The National Trust of Tasmania once visited New Norfolk, nodded appreciatively and as usual did nothing to assist the local community whatsoever. The Heritage Council made a point of stirring up clouds of artificial dust objecting to red awnings in Hobart but has virtually ignored one of our most “significant” architectural treasures. Yes, one points to “Willow Court” – a glorious Georgian building that actually pre-dates Port Arthur – now sadly enclosed in a wired-up inaccessible compound, its sad neglected state bringing a lump to one’s throat.

One observes that it is easier to stir up clouds of pointless dust about the restoration of a city building from the comfort of an office a few yards down the road, giving the impression that something is being done, rather than actually doing something important to preserve our heritage. When you collect piles of dust on outdated policy manuals a puff of wind will cloud every issue, extend publicity, and satisfy the community at large than someone is looking after the important issues. “

To read the full article please click on the following link: http://www.newsnn.net/2012/02/readers-letter-willow-court.html#comment-form

Royal Derwent.com, APIU and anyone interested in Paranormal at Willow Court will be under the spotlight at the next meeting.

I received this in my inbox this morning from the secretary of the Willow Court & Barracks Working Group WC&BWG.

“All councillors are invited to attend the WC&BWG meeting on 9 February at 7pm.  Attending the meeting will be two teachers in Disability at Polytechnic who will talk about their interest in Willow Courtand the importance of it to Disability students, their concerns with the information on the WC paranormal website on Disability students”

I have a lot of thoughts about this which I won’t get into cause I will be here all day. I just hope that they have done their research about who we are, how we operate in regard to Willow Court in general and the paranormal.

Received this comment on my website by Scott Marshall

“Hi Nick,
At last April’s open day I just happened to be driving past and went and had a look at C Block. What an amazing place and history… I organised through the Working Group to be able to visit privately and took a heap of photos.
Finally I’ve processed just some of them and uploaded to Flickr. Feel free to link to the photos / Flickr.
Am also keen to visit any of the other buildings, anyone else keen?”

Thanks Scott

Here is Scott’s links to his Flickr Album:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/52423468@N04/

Her passions are design, local materials and skill development to produce a long lasting, storytelling and unique piece to wear.

Nataša Milenović trained in Germany as a goldsmith and gained further work experience in Australia. Shortly after her migration to Tasmania she established her own independent jewellery business in 2002.

The Studio situated in the historic Willow Court in New Norfolk and fresh inspiration from the Tasmanian Bush where she resides, is helping her to produce earthy elegance.

 http://natasamilenovic.com/

This was posted on the Willow Court Facebook Group by Matty Graham .

“I found this photo on gumtree the fire truck was Royal derwents very own fire truck it was still in perfect condition when the hospital closed down, its just as sad to see it in this condition as the rest of the RDH/WCC!”

http://hobart.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-heavy-farming-agriculture-equipment-1950-Bedford-Firetruck-W0QQAdIdZ338533814

Pitty this old Girl wasn’t in commission during the last 5 or 6 fires in RDH- Nick

1950 Bedford Fire Truck

I have for sale a classic 1950 Bedford Firetruck. It still has the original pump, tank and engine but is in need of some TLC. Please feel free to call for more details. Would make a great project for the right person.

EMILY BULLOCK is a Hobart-based writer. Her creative non-fiction studies the affective poetics of place.

I came across this little treasure not long ago and was immediately blown away. The way in which Emily writes about Willow Court & Royal Derwent is simply amazing.

I contacted her about the piece and she informed me it was part of her PhD thesis on Tasmanian Gothic.  Emily said she would send me the rest of the chapter which I’m really keen to read.

Emily also noted that she would like to write a book about the asylum.

To read the article please click on the following link: http://www.islandmag.com/upfiles/im/cont/island_126/emily_bullock_essay.pdf

Below is one of my favourite parts of the article, which I think reflects the way that I feel about the site.

“And so I return to what is left of this place, now derelict. I have been compelled to return to ‘New Norfolk’ again and again; it is possessing and I am possessed. Once infected by the place, it never leaves you, just as you can never entirely leave it.”

“Evidently, it is not just me who is compelled to return to New Norfolk time and time again; an entire culture of trespass explores this space of ruination. The floor is littered with detritus from recent Goth camp outs and other ‘juvenile delinquents’ who stage nightly rituals here.”

Last night I went into Ward F to check out the recent graffiti that was done there last Saturday and uploaded on you tube. I was shocked to see that almost all the front window frames of Ward F and some of Ward G have been removed.

http://www.youtube.com/user/dudecrushdude#p/u/0/2qaGflWiUFI

When I walked into Ward F It was like someone has started to demolish the interior. The square Tram in Ward F is partially gone and the wall in front of the Tram has been pulled completely down. This does not seem like the act of kids, the work seemed pretty clean and semi professional to me. I mean how kids remove metal window frames and knock down a plaster wall that has metal framing.

The recent grafiiti isn’t that bad compared to what has been happening in there recently. Thats why the Graffiti video looked so light because all the front windows are gone and walls have been knocked down. Usually that Ward is pitch black even during the day.

Have I missed something, or is someone starting to demolish Ward F and G????  

Is someone making it even easier for kids to get in there and cause some sort of irreparable damaged so it can be knocked down?

Why can’t those big red gates surrounding the Oval wards be locked?? All it would take is some chain and a lock.

Why are we paying loads of money for a security guard at night when all the damage is happening during the day, seems like a lot of wasted money. I think if we are gonna spend money of security it has to be there around the clock or not at all.

Hmmm something just isn’t right.

I drove past Ward 12 today and noticed that the developer has boarded/meshed off any easy access into Ward 12. This new measure comes after the recent fire in ward 1, and the Mayor seeking an investigation into the recent fire.

Last week I actually went in there thinking this might be the last time I see it before it too falls victim to arson.

This was posted my facebook group today.  I can’t lie I really like the video, the editing was great, the graffiti was pretty talented and obviously love the location and watching anything in relation toWillow Court.  

A bit of a catch 22 situation for me.

I can’t approve of people vandalisingWillow Court, I have never done anything to harm/destroy/disfigure the site any anyway.  I guess if we are trying to save Willow Court stuff like this can’t happen, I know its only paint and I’m sure they weren’t lighting fires, or knocking holes in the walls etc but its still something we have to pour money into to remove. It also concerns me that others might follow their example but not take so much care and do more harm than just paint.

In relation to last weeks fire in Ward 1 and all the previous fires in RDH, Good on you Martyn for stating that this is unacceptable and for raising this matter with Police!!!!!

 To read more please follow this link: http://www.newsnn.net/2011/11/mayor-to-seek-fire-probe.html

PRESS RELEASE

Art Comp at Willow Court Precinct

The Willow Court and Barracks Precinct at New Norfolk will be open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday 26 November for an art competition by local artists. Works on display will be available for sale. Judging results for the community popular award should be announced at 1.30 pm, and the Judges prize thereafter.

The opening of the precinct, which has National Trust significance, will give the public the opportunity to gain an insight into this clouded and enigmatic part ofAustralia’s early history and the work now required to restore this sadly degraded heritage site.

The original Barracks building, which was predated by a military barracks, was constructed in 1830 -31, and does predatePort Arthur. It was built to house up to 60 invalid convicts and 10 others. The site has been the subject of significant neglect and vandalism since the closure of theRoyalDerwentHospitaland the handing of the facility to the local council. The Derwent Valley Council recently established a special committee of council to advise and assist in the conservation and development of the site.

During its life as a mental institution art and music were both considered as positive therapies for patients. Further development on this site is expected to later include music concerts and a permanent home for the Derwent Valley Regional Arts.

Please come along and enjoy the day, and vote for your favourite art work!

The Artworks will be on display  in the Administration Building.

For queries: contact Richard Lang, 62 614 612

Here is a video from ABC NEWS regarding the fire in Ward 1 on the 16/11/11. Some of these comments really annoy me.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-16/fire-breaks-out-at-historic-hospital-site/3676092

I have been saying it for quite a while, but here is the first photo of what appears to be a ventilation shaft from the Mysterious Tunnel taken by SAM ROSEWARNE in Todays Mercury Newspaper http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/11/17/277681_opinion.html

In today’s Mercury Newspaper and online there is a great article about the uncovering of a ventilation shaft from a possible Tunnel that runs under Burnett St from Willow Court to the Bush Inn.

The article has some information from people who seen the shaft first had on the day it was dug up, also some good comments from local historians and private owners.

This is very exciting times and news amidst some sad news we had yesterday in regards to the fire and demolition of Ward 1.

I strongly support some form of archaeological investigation and the sooner the better. This could be another tourism gold mine for New Norfolk a town that has so much tourism potential it’s crazy.  Let’s hope something is done!!!!

I put my hand up for any Investigations of the tunnel LOL

After years of not knowing the developer name other that “the Russian Guy” todays article in The Mercury has finally give us a name Roostram Sadri.

To read the rather Interesting article please click here: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/11/17/277481_tasmania-news.html