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Shaun

Today I watched the film titled “Lachlan park – conditions in old buildings and demolition” for the first time, and as a result I can now say that a film has touched me on an emotional level. This films profound effect was not only due to the vast array of buildings which once stood upon the vast site, but also the impact of the way the patients were. They looked and interacted as mere shells of their former selves and looked like they had no hope of recovering from their various ailments.

The buildings: As a result of my previous studies this appears to be one of the only surviving films that have captured the majority of pre 1960s Willow Court buildings.
The comparison between the film and the now standing site is astounding, the location is seen as a scar on the land by the majority of people, and is a mere shadow of its former self.
Ward’s such as B, I, H, the Clock tower and the security guards house located near the pearly white gates lowered the demand on housing within the site. They have now been knocked down due to the Royal Derwent Hospital complex being built in the 1950s which eliminated there need in the community.
Most of the buildings that were knocked down in the 1960s would now be considered architectural feats of engineering and apart of our vast heritage. Sadly now we only have this footage to show future generations what a wonderful and grand site it once was in its former heyday, and still is.
Not only have many buildings been demolished but there was also a big segregating wall that was erected along the length of the avenue. In design alone this fence had a negative tone to it and could even be described as quite intimidating, it had steel crafted arrow heads on top and divided the site from the rest of the community. At the end of the Barracks the wall there contained two doors, which were able to be opened to allow cars in and out of the site, there was also a large bell which was located above the door arch.
This wall would have acted like a cover to shield the community from what actually took place in the site.

The patients: Until now my research of the patients which occupied Willow Court has not prepared me for what I’d see today whilst I viewed the footage.
All of the patients seemed lifeless, zombie like and mere shells of people, could this have been from the drugs they were subjected to, or because of the conditions they had to live through, or abuse they may have received?
They were made to sleep on steel beds with very thin mattresses, made to go to the toilet in metal buckets and eat food which you wouldn’t let most animals eat. Most were “stored” in a room with 4 to 5 other patients or in a dark cell which makes today’s prisons look like a luxury hotel. It is quite astonishing to think all of this occured only 40 years ago.
When viewing this you have to think to yourself, were they really trying to help these people?, Or were they just employed to keep these people off the streets and out of the public eye.

Conclusion: This film is a must watch for today’s generation, not only to respect what Willow Court was, but to see how far we have come in 40 years and never to receed into those conditions and circumstances once again.
If people can watch this piece of footage and come out of it with the amount of respect I have for the site and former patients, then Willow Court will be restored to its former glory and open for future generations to learn about our dark but not to be forgotten past.

Thank you
Aiden Sullivan

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

 

APIU recorded its busiest day by far since creating the website. We had 185 individual hits which well surpasses anything we have had in the past easily.

I would just like to thank everyone for their support and for choosing to view our website and the work we do, we couldn’t do it without our loyal fans.

Nick J

 

Hey

As you guys are aware Nick and Aiden were in Yesterdays Mercury and today’s Gazette along with a few mentions on various radio stations throughout the day.

 

 

 *** I have attached a scan copy of the articles, I do not own these articles they belong to the Mercury and Gazette repectvely***

Click below link for article

Gazette

May was a very quite month for APIU due to other projects taking up a lot of our time in particular the Willow Court Committee. Three members of APIU are on the Willow Court Committee Nick Jarvis, Aiden Sullivan and Glenn Hevey. A lot of our time was taken up with the recent Tasmanian Heritage Festivals- Willow Court Open Day 29-30 May 2010.

All three of us attended the event both days and undertook varied roles throughout the day.

It was pleasing to note that we had a quite a few comments left for ghost tours which were rally encouraging. 

APIU are currently following up with DVC to get approval to create a Willow Court Doco centred on paranormal and history which will be launched and aired at the Inaugural Spring Festival in October

More info as it comes to hand.

Nick J

Offical Merchandise Store for Fans of APIU. If there is something different you want made please let us know.

http://www.cafepress.com.au/APIU

Nick