Demolished  Wards

Some of this information is a little sketchy as I have been sifting through documents trying to piece together when these buildings were constructed and demolished. If anyone can confirm dates or any other info please let me know.

It’s a shame that we lost these absolutely beautiful buildings and its history; we can never let something like this ever happen again at Willow Court.

Most of these Wards were demolished during the major reform of the 1960’s

  

 

 

The Cunningham-Dax report- an outside opinion.

In the report presented to parliament in 1963 suggested:

• Rear Court yard of the Barracks should be demolished immediately

• K1 Ward tower be demolished and perhaps part of K2, nut further consideration should be given to this part of K2, as it could be economically restored for 20 patients.

• I ward should be demolished as soon as the females security wards in the east hospital are built.

• A Ward should be demolished when the wings of C ward are built.

• B Ward should be demolished when sufficient accommodation exists to take the patients to other wards.

  

 DEMOLISHED Willow Court Wards

 

The Fallen Willow tree

I believe the famous Willow Tree was cut down in October 1963 (year is an approximate).

An article in the Mercury May 17th 1969 states the Tree was removed due to Rot.Mrs Anne Terry & Mrs J Craw tended a young willow grown from root stock of the orginal tree planted by Lady Franklin. Several of these will be grown in Willow Court.

R.W. Gowland- Troubled Asylum (1981, p.178) states It was a sad time in Willow Court late in October this year, when the axe fell on the famous old Willow Tree. It was recorded that historically minded citizens were on hand to strike a few cuttings for future generations.

* The Below photo belong to the Historical Information Centre New Norfolk.

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Rear Quadrange of the Barracks

The rear section of the Barracks that mirrored the exsisting front section was demolished in the 1960′s.

* The Below photo  was taken from the book Troubled Asylum by R.W Gowland, 1981

 

 

K1 K2 and Clock Tower

In 1883 a Royal Commission recommended the construction of K1 K2 and the tower. It was constructed between 1887 and 1901 in two stages K1 and K2 due to lack of funding. It was demolished during the major reform of the 1960’s

R.W. Gowland- Troubled Asylum (1981, p.182&183) states that Southern Cartage and Excavations moved into do the demolition works. Truckloads of bricks and timber were given to anyone who wanted them. A large amount was dumped on the present site of the New Norfolk Caravan Park. The Clock tower proved hard to knock down requiring two blasts.

Former nurse Mrs Grace Curtain writes (1965) it housed approximately 130 patients and 8 staff.

The Solid Tower would have defied any attack from the Norman invasion, the size of the stone blocks giving rise to the same mental conjecture as the pyramids. Stairs were feet thick, the tread grooves with nearly a hundred years of use- the archways and vaulted ceilings must surely have been the dream of a medieval architect. Acoustics left nothing to be desired, the faintness stirring in the dead of night could be hard from any pint in the building.

Clock itself originally came from Port Arthur and was wound every Monday, it was never correct in time.

The old tower watched during the war years as trenches were dug in the hospital grounds where staff and patients were put the Air Raid Precautions.

* The Below photo belong to the Historical Information Centre New Norfolk.

 

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H Ward

Old women’s hospital completed and Occupied in 1841. Demolished in the Early 1960′s. H Ward was located where Lyprenny is today. H Ward  backed on to Humphrey St and Charlotte St Interesctions.

* The Below photo  was taken from the book Troubled Asylum by R.W Gowland, 1981

 

 

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B Ward

Male Patients constructed in 1893, it accommodated 107 patients. Demolished in the Early 1960′s. B Ward was backed onto Humphrey st & near the Grey St Intersection. In todays terms B Ward would have been in the large Ward C airing yard facing I.T Building & Alonnah. 

* The Below photo was taken from the book Troubled Asylum by R.W Gowland, 1981

 

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A Ward

In 1936 Ward A was occupied by mentally Ill and mental defectives. The Ward had 4 bed double bedrooms and single rooms. The Gentleman’s Cottage- approx 47 patients and 6 staff.

 Demolished in the late 60′s. A Ward was for the better class of male patients who paid board.  It was located on the existsing site of  workshop near Lachlan Ward .

* The Below photo belong to the Historical Information Centre New Norfolk.

 

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The Old Boiler House, Laundry, Kitchen and Store

Info to be added.

 

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Matron’s Quaters

Demolished in the late 60′s

 Franklin House 1937- 3 March 2012

Ward F victim of arson just before midnight of the 3/3/12. The Wards was left to burn thruout the night and demolition began the very next day.

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Reference

 Gowland, RW, Troubled Asylum, 1st edn, 1981, Australia

* The Below photo’s belong to the Historical Information Centre New Norfolk.

 

 

 

 

 

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DEMOLISHED Royal Derwent Hospital Wards

These Wards are all scheduled for demolition by North Hobart Constructions.  In order of Demolition.

  

 

Ward 7 1959 - May/June 2009

DEMOLISHED- Ward 7 was built in 1965 as a secure ward for mentally ill patients who pose a risk to harming themselves or others. A lot of the patients were classified as psychotic. Ward 7 was entered on the National Heritage list because of its unique Ha-Ha Wall.

In mid 2000 North Hobart Constructions purchased the majority of Wards at Royal Derwent Hospital. The developer appealed against the Heritage listing and unfortunately won the appeal. Within the next few weeks Demolition started on Ward 7 and its Ha-Ha wall. Ward 7 was completely demolished in June 2009.

 

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Ward 8 1959 - July 2010

DEMOLISHED- Ward 8 was a Mixed sex ward for patiiemts aged about 30 – 60, usually chronic burnt-out schizophrenics.  Usually locked after 7.00pm

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Ward 9 1959 - Dec 2010

Destroyed by FIRE then DEMOLISHED shortly after- Ward 9 was for Females only, for many years had a mixture of psychotic and mentally retarded patients, usually locked after 7.00pm

 

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Ward 4 1959 – Aug 2010

DEMOLISHED- For many years 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 7.00pm

 

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Ward 6 1965 - Feb 2011

DEMOLISHED- This video was taken on the 10/2/11 @ 12:30pm, It shows the current demolotion of Ward 6 Royal Derwent Hospital. Ward 6 was a rehab ward for mixed sexes, mostly chronic schizophrenics that were reasonably independent. Ward 6 was locked after 7.00pm.

  

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WARD 5 1959 - April 2011

DEMOLISHED- Although this ward had the interior gutted for about a decade it was finally demoshed in April this year. Ward 5 was infamous for the Male Hating Ghost. Ward 5 was a Psycho geriatric ward for elderly females who were more ambulant than Ward 2 patients. Ward usually always locked.

 

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WARD 2 1959 – June 2011

Destroyed by Fire then DEMOLISHED- This ward had been in the process of being demolished for a few months before it was set on fire at approx Midnight on the 7/6/11. The Ward was demolised shortly after. Ward 2 was a Psycho geriatric ward for elderly women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WARD 11 – July 2011

Ward 11 was badly damaged by fire on the 26 June 2011 and was subsquently demolished only a few days later. Ward 11

 

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WARD 3- Late July 2011

Ward 3 was demolished fairly quietly in late July 2011. Ward 3

Changed a bit over the years but was used for females for many years, mainly 20 – 40 year olds, mixture of psych and mild mental retardation patients. Usually locked after 7.00pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WARD 1- 16 November 2011

  Ward 1 succumbed to fire just after midnight on the 16/11/11. Demolition worked commenced that day. Ward 1 was a psycho- geriatric ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

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