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‘Stories from the Asylum’ 28 & 29 November.

by Friends of Willow Court

10 am – 4pm

Entry by Gold Coin Donation

‘Stories from the Asylum’ marks the 20^th anniversary of closure of Willow Court that falls on 28^th November, 2020. The event seeks to acknowledge this milestone in the asylum’s 193 year history through talks by guest speakers, poetry, music, story boards, and podcasts (QR code only) recordings of former staff reflecting on their time at the hospital, and the Roses from the Heart bonnet tribute to the convict women who spent time at the New Norfolk asylum.

Saturday 28 November

10 – 11:30       Punishment and Health in convict Van Diemen’s Land  -  Hamish Maxwell-Stewart

11:30 – 12       Renovating Madness – Liz McQuilkin poetry readings

12 – 1 pm       Music – Derwent Valley Band Brass Quintet

1 – 1:30  pm   Renovating Madness – Liz McQuilkin poetry readings

2-3 pm            Sharing Some Insights into the Closure of Willow Court – Pete  Smith

Sunday 29^th November

10 – 12            Digital Future for Tasmanian History – Hamish Maxwell-Stewart

12-1 pm          Music Derwent Valley Band Saxophone Quartet

1 – 2 pm          Punishment and Health in convict Van Diemen’s Land  - Hamish  Maxwell-Stewart

2 – 3 pm          Reflections on Lachlan Park Hospital school – Margaret Reynolds – former teacher

3:30 – 4 pm     Music Derwent Valley Band Saxophone Quartet

Newly Digitised Items at Tasmanian Archives

Newly digitised updates from the Tasmanian Archives and State Library heritage collections are now available via their blog.  Items featured on the blog are also available to view via their Newly Digitised Items webpage, this will be trialled for the next 3-6 months to find out which format works best.

Tasmanian Archives welcome any feedback you might have, helping to preserve and provide access to these wonderful collections.

Digitisation Services
Government Archives & Preservation Collections | Libraries Tasmania

91 Murray Street | Hobart | Tasmania | 7000

Ph (03) 6165 5587 www.libraries.tas.gov.au

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Recent Updates

Convict Ships:

Ships - Broxbornebury 1814 - Transcript of the ship's muster list into NSW cross-matched against ships to VDL, and the Emu 1811. (by Rhonda Arthur 25/11/2020).

Ships - Mermaid 1828 - Transcript of Surgeons Journal (Transcribed by Colleen Arulappu 12/11/2020). On getting underway there were unfavourable winds with several severe frosts and snow storms. Constant attention was paid to cleanliness, ventilation and dryness between decks. The hanging stove was moved where it was needed most, especially the hospital located in the bow of the ship, and damp from leaks particularly in bad weather. Two cases of scurvy quickly recovered by taking lemon juice. Ninety-nine women and eighteen children landed generally in good health. Though one infant born mid-voyage became extremely emaciated and for want of proper nourishment was sent to the Colonial Hospital on arrival ‘the only chance of saving him’.

Born at Sea -  A new page researching the daunting prospect facing many convict women giving birth at sea. Researched and written by Rhonda Arthur  (26/10/2020).

Ships - Stately 1849 - Transcript of Surgeons Journal Sick List and Medical Notes (Transcribed by Colleen Arulappu 25/09/2020). 

Ships -Alexander 1816 - Ship's Muster List from the Alexander, 1816 into Sydney, cross-matched against the Kangaroo's Muster List into Hobart. (transcription by Rhonda Arthur 21/09/2020).

Ships - Sir Robert Seppings 1852 - Transcript of Surgeons Journal Medical Notes (transcribed by Colleen Arulappu 13/09/2020), and an updated General Remarks section (transcribed by Geoff Court with minor editing by Colleen Arulappu 13/09/2020).  The journal has an extensive list of names in the Sick List section There are over three hundred entries for the women on the voyage to Hobart and a small list of male patients who were on the vessel from Norfolk Island to Hobart. Very sad medically detailed entries for several children who died.

Convict Ship Punishments  - A new page describing punishment and discipline onboard the convict ships into Van Diemen's Land.

Other Updates:

Employees profile - Samuel and Catherine Johnston, Launceston Hiring Depot. (6/11/2020)

Petitions - Harriet Martin per Tory 1845 (transcription courtesy of Rhonda Arthur 22/09/2020)

Punishments - Relocation/Removal to the Interior, Macquarie Harbour (12/11/2020), Admonishment and Reprimand (29/10/2020); Returned to Government (15/10/2020); Hard Labour, Bread & Water (15/09/2020);