Penitentiary old guard up in arms over historic site ‘sackings’

An exodus of long-serving volunteers from the Hobart Convict Penitentiary has prompted concerns about the site’s future.

Former volunteers, from left, Adrian Jack, Joan Hansson, Linda Lea and Paul Taylor outside the historic Hobart Convict Penitentiary. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

AN exodus of long-serving volunteers from the Hobart Convict Penitentiary has prompted concerns about the site’s future.

Guided day tours are no longer being offered at the penitentiary, which is one of Tasmania’s most significant convict heritage sites.

The National Trust says it is instead focused on the immersive film experience Pandemonium, which launched in 2016, as part of an ongoing “extensive transformation project”.

The Mercury has spoken to nine former penitentiary volunteers, some of whom had been at the site for decades, who said they were unceremoniously sacked via email.

The volunteers said they felt they had been let go because they had been raising concerns about maintenance of the historic buildings and about the site’s future direction.

The National Trust disputes volunteers were sacked, saying they were offered the chance to continue volunteering.

The old exercise yard at the Hobart Convict Penitentiary. Picture LEIGH WINBURN

Group spokesman Adrian Jack said the bulk of the penitentiary’s volunteers had left over the past four years.

Eleven volunteers left following an email dated October 11, which said guided tours were ceasing as of the following day.

The email from National Trust Tasmania managing director Matthew Smithies made no mention of other volunteer roles being available.

Volunteer of 20 years Joan Hansson said she was “very sad and disappointed” to no longer be involved with the site.

One volunteer said the building was “falling down” due to lack of maintenance.

Another volunteer said: “We are not angry because we were put off — it’s a valuable building for Tasmanian history.”

Many of the volunteers said while the Pandemonium film was excellent, they were concerned it came at the expense of the day tours for tourists, locals and school groups.

Mr Smithies said there was never any intention for the guided day tours to continue after October 2018, under a review of site interpretation.

“The National Trust Board and management have transformed the visitor experience at the Penitentiary Chapel on a revised model which is delivering a world-class product,” he said.

“All volunteers were given the opportunity to be involved and included in the revised model.”

With regard to concerns around maintenance, Mr Smithies said the National Trust had in place an annual maintenance plan.

“The National Trust contracts a range of highly skilled experts to provide advice on the nature of these works and takes into consideration the time frame for works to be reasonably carried out by to ensure the historical integrity of the site,” he said.

Just over 13,000 people visited the penitentiary in 2017-18.

“Given the significance of the site and its location, the National Trust Board and management and a range of industry specialists are of the view that the visitation levels have the potential to increase,” Mr Smithies said.