NMIT Traditional Cache
This cache has been locked, but it is available for viewing.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This is a micro with log only. BYO pen.
Should be an easy find. Can drive right to GZ from the South off the Western HWY.
If you try to come from the North you will be on the wrong side of the gate.
A lot of people would have noticed this place when passing by.
Here is a little history.
Aradale Asylum was built in 1863 and opened in 1867, Aradale was closed in 1993.
As like most other buildings built in this era the design was European. Aradale was built for and housed the “insane”, being a term loosely used for anyone who suffered any form of malaise, depression, uncertainty of life and also very sadly, the mentally disabled or as was once known “retarded”.
Back in the 1800’s we must remember that there was no diagnosis for depression and also the now known illnesses of bi-polar, schizophrenia, borderline personality and so on. There were also no drugs to treat any type of mental illness and often the doctors and nurses would resort to very strange treatments which are now considered (and rightly so) barbaric.
With a 85% mortality rate Aradale was known as the place to go and die. Common treatments applied were the use of the now out-dated Lobotomy operation and also ECT (electro convulsive therapy). No doubt in the later years insulin induced coma therapy would have also been applied as has been reported in many psychiatric institutions within Victoria. These treatments are well reported to be nothing less than destructive.
Since the closure of Aradale, NMIT has taken over the ownership and currently use the land and a few smaller buildings for a lavendar farm, and the police use the land for training.
Guided tours now take place and can be booked at the visitor information center.
Tours will take in the chapel, dining room, hospital wards, morgue, kitchen, forensic unit, Ha Ha wall and landscaping features.
The project is a joint effort from the building owner Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE and volunteer group The Friends of J Ward.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybpngrq haqre n arj fvta