Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I had the pleasure last week of announcing a significant step for Tasmania's historical Willow Court, at New Norfolk, towards achieving the national recognition it deserves. I met with Derwent Valley Deputy Mayor Ben Shaw, the Friends of Willow Court and the Friends of Frascati to tell them the good news that Willow Court would be assessed by the Australian Heritage Council for possible inclusion on the National Heritage List. I want to particularly thank Tony Nicholson, from Friends of Willow Court, for his passionate contribution, Anne Salt, Mark Krause, Sharon Hutchison, Vivienne de Bressac, and, from the Friends of Frascati, Sandra Hetherington and Warwick Evers. Mayor Martyn Evans was unable to attend, as he was attending the funeral of local government identity Barry Jarvis, in Scottsdale that day. Willow Court pre-dates the iconic Port Arthur as one of Tasmania's oldest public buildings.

Tasmania has more heritage buildings than anywhere else in the country, but the huge restoration job at the Willow Court precinct is beyond the reach of the community and its council. The national heritage listing assessment, one of only a handful to be carried out nationally, will not only provide a comprehensive reference document, for the first time, on the historical and social significance of this first mental health institution in Australia, but it opens the way for future federal government funding.

I want to thank Greg Hunt for taking a particular interest in Willow Court over the years and congratulate the mayor and others in New Norfolk on their passion for what is significantly important to communities of New Norfolk. (Time expired)