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Last Updated on February 17, 2025

Images: 0800-201 to 0800-250 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.

Many old photographs and stories of the history of Darwin

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Please share this story with your family and friends so that they can read about the Darwin stories, its history,  and what it has to offer tourists. 

Thank you very much, Don...

Darwin Gallery Index. Images 0800-201 to 0800-250

Expand to display an index to all Darwin images.

Every image below has a link to 50 photographs. Simply click on the image to choose that group of 50.

Images: 0800-001 to 0800-050 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-051 to 0800-100 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-101 to 0800-150 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-151 to 0800-200 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-201 to 0800-250 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-251 to 0800-300 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-301 to 0800-350 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-351 to 0800-400 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-401 to 0800-450 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-451 to 0800-500 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-501 to 0800-550 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-551 to 0800-600 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-601 to 0800-650 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-651 to 0800-700 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-701 to 0800-750 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
Images: 0800-751 to 0800-800 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
0800-801 to 0800-850 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
0800-851 to 0800-900 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
0800-901 to 0800-950 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
0800-951 to 0800-1000 Darwin Gallery of historical B&W photos converted to colour.
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The Stories:

0800-201 Curio Cottage Garage Cars Outside 1939.

Photographer: Buscall, J. C.
Collection: Buscall Collection ;

Description:
Curio Cottage Garage, erected by S. Palmer, completed 30 April 1939.

Don:
I believe that the Garage was situated around the corner from Curio Cottage in Peel Street, one door from Smith Street.

Posted 15-April-2022

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Before.

0800-201

0800-202 Unloading of a supply steamship 1897.

Image Source: https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34506485 Creator: Bleeser, Florenz A. K., 1871-1942

Description:
Unloading of a supply steamship in sand at low tide, Palmerston [i.e. Darwin], ca. 1897.

Andrew King:
This is Kitchener Bay with Stokes Hill to the right and Fort Hill behind the photographer. Town is to the left up the hill.

Posted 16-April-2022

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0800-202

0800-203 Cottage property of J. C. Buscall 1942.

Photographer: Buscall, J. C.
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/332793

Description:
Cottage property of J. C. Buscall on Lot 637, Mitchell Street, Darwin. Leased to J. W. Lyons until 10 May 1942.

Don:
Today this is the Mitchell Centre Shopping Mall.

Check the Darwin CBD 1942 Residence Map

Also check the bombing maps and hi-res 1944 images. Looks like Mitchell Street from Knuckey to Peel Street survived.

Posted 17-April-2022

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Before.

0800-203

0800-204 Dr J A Gilruth and daughter Jean.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/743876
Jean A. Austin Collection

Date Estimated 1910s.

John Anderson Gilruth (17 February 1871 to 4 March 1937) was a Scottish-Australian veterinary scientist and administrator. He is particularly noted for being Administrator of the Northern Territory from 1912 to 1918, when he was recalled after an angry mob demanded that he resign. This incident is known as the Darwin Rebellion.

Posted 18-April-2022

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0800-204

0800-205 Don and Nancy Royal - Wedding Darwin 1943.

Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. Photographs possibly taken for Pix magazine (Source: Library volunteer). https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/1xqG3XeY/gjEVDQ8zjNdQm

Wedding - Don Royal - Nancy Kerr at Darwin, The wedding was on the 15 September 1943. This marriage was the first civil wedding since the early blitz, and Darwin turned out en masse.

"Gosh, it's been like a wonderful dream," said one lanky A.I.F. lad in Northern Australia. "Mum'll never believe me. Billy tea with the Tivoli ballet away up here, when we haven't seen a white woman for more than a year."

Don:
Both Bride and Groom are members of the traveling Tivoli Show. Eddie Marcel gave the bride away. I have labelled the photos as 206-B, before the wedding, and 206-A, after the wedding,

Saint Mary's Church Smith Street. Now rebuilt Saint Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral.
Aerial photos and images show both the church at Lot 436 and the house at Lot 503 opposite, survived the war.

Rather than me re-write this story, I have decided to summarize it, and give you the links, so you can read it for yourselves. It sounds like these traveling entertainers carried out a very similar job as Bob Hope and his list of celebrities did, that toured the US front line troops during WWII, as well as many other wars.

Andrew King researched and then chased all of these links about this story. You are a gem Andrew.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article170397803
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46938051
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231608371
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article265022276
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167642857
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55869919

Posted 22-April-2022

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Before.

0800-205-A

Before.

0800-205-B

0800-206 Don Picture Theatre 1925.

LANT, M. Goodale Collection, PH0345/0126.
Library & Archives NT

Darwin has had many movie venues actually for more than 100 years. In a town where entertainment was scarce the movies were an option for everyone.

One of these was The Don Picture Theatre. The Don cinema was located corner of Cavenagh
and Bennett Street on what became the Gordon’s Don Hotel and what is now the ABC.

It was built by George Wedd in 1912. It was an open air theatre.

If you saw Baz Lurhmann’s movie Australia The Don was depicted beautifully. However the movie Australia was set in 1942, and we know that the Don was not in operation by that date.  
One of the last newspaper ads that mentioned what was on at the Don, was dated March 1932. The Don Theatre closed and the Don Hotel was built on the site opening around the late 1930’s.

Don:
Drusilla with a Million is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by F. Harmon Weight and written by Lois Zellner. It is based on the 1916 novel Drusilla With a Million by Elizabeth Cooper. The film stars Mary Carr, Priscilla Bonner, Kenneth Harlan, Henry A.

Posted 21-April-2022

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0800-206

0800-207 Harold Nelson, AWU Union organiser 1919.

Source credit: National Library of Australia.
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-158047306/view

Black and white image (c. 1919) of Harold Nelson, who negotiated a number of pay rises for workers by threatening, or taking, strike action at the Darwin Rebellion.

Harold George Nelson member for the Northern Territory, New South Wales, ca. 1920s.

Described as a "medium-sized nuggety man" and a fiery orator, Nelson was an effective campaigner, as can be seen by his successful campaign to significantly raise the wages of Darwin meatworkers in 1917. He also led protests against the Northern Territory Administrator Dr John A. Gilruth, which officially originated in November 1918 when Gilruth refused requests from barmaids for time off to celebrate the end of World War I (although tensions had been simmering between Gilruth and the union movement for some time). On 17 December 1918, in what has since been called the Darwin Rebellion, Nelson led a protest march to Liberty Square, in front of Government House, to demand Gilruth's removal as Administrator. Continued protests eventually led to the removal of Dr Gilruth from the Administrator position in February 1919, followed by the departure of other senior officials soon after.

Posted 23-April-2022

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0800-207

0800-208 Darwin Aerial Photo 1948.

Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington.

Darwin Aerial Photo 1948

Andrew King:
The photo was taken as part of a series by Whites Aviation on 20 Aug 1948.
Whites had won a contract to take aerial imagery in the NT. These were taken
back to New Zealand and put in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington.

Posted 24-April-2022

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0800-208

0800-209 A girl with a hat sitting on a cane chair. 1920.

Robert Monteith  Photographer:
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/629311
Copyright owner: Library & Archives NT
Darwin City

Don:
This same girl features in many of Robert Monteith's Photographs.

Posted 25-April-2022

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Before.

0800-209

0800-210 Billiard Room Cable Station 1920.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/312703 M. Goodale Collection ;

Description:
The billiard room at the Cable Station, the Esplanade Darwin.

Don:
Big full-size table. None of this mucking about like today! The sort of table I learned to play on. A string with the chalk hanging on it at the end of the table. The snooker triangle hanging over the electrical paraphernalia on the wall.

Posted 26-April-2022

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0800-210

0800-211 A. E. Jolly & Co. Darwin Circa mid 1940s.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/727687
Gunn Collection

Description:
The general store of Alfred Edward Jolly, Darwin

Alfred arrived in Australia in 1877 with 17 shillings in his pocket but by 1883 he was able to start the firm of Jolly and Luxton in Bennett Street, Darwin. In 1893 Alfred took the business over and renamed it A.E. Jolly and Sons. A.E Jolly’s general store was famous in Darwin from before the turn of the Century until the 1940s with the company advertising weekly in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette throughout the period 1911-1939.

Don:
Knuckey near Smith Street. (Lot 422) The date is estimated as the mid-1940s. The front of the store was updated in later years with a new fascia and verandah roof.

Posted 27-April-2022

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0800-211

0800-212 Bennett Street Darwin 1917.

Photographer: Bradshaw, Walter Herbert
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/591252 Collection:

Description: Groups of people walking down Bennett Street just passed Gordon Don
stadium. Man riding a bike. There is a couple walk onto the corner of Cavenagh  and Bennett Street.

Donor's Grandfather, Walter Herbert Bradshaw, sent album back to his parents in Sydney in September 1917. He moved to NT mid 1910s and left after 1920. He was married in Darwin in 1919 and worked at Vesteys for some of the time. Letter accompanying donor form gives additional family history.

Don:
You can see the Don stadium, and movie house billboards on the right hand edge of this photo, which is where the ABC Building is today.

Posted 28-April-2022

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0800-212

0800-213 Wireless Station. The Gardens Darwin. 1914-18.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/733440 Copyright owner: Library & Archives NT https://hdl.handle.net/10070/733439
Collection: Percy Brown Collection PictureNT

Wireless Station. The Gardens Darwin. 1914-18
 
Description:
The operating room at the Wireless Station. "Germany could be heard on the instrument with clock-faces behind the log book on the table"

Posted 29-April-2022

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0800-213

0800-214 At the Victoria Hotel, Darwin. 1922.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/749019 Copyright owner: Library & Archives NT  Collection: S. S. Godfrey Collection

Description:
At the Victoria (the Vic.) Hotel in Smith Street;  
Back row L-R: Young, Godfrey, Mary Seale, McKenzie. Front row L-R: Dr Richardson, Greg

Posted 30-April-2022

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0800-214

0800-215 Looking down Bennett towards Smith street Darwin - 1915.

Image Source: Jill Kinang

Looking down Bennett street, A.E. Jolly & CO far right 1915

Posted 1-May-2022

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0800-215

0800-216 Jolly's store Darwin. Destroyed 1942.

Image Source: Andrew King

Not a great photograph, but of great Historical Significance for Darwin.

Jolly's store, on the corner of Smith and Bennett Streets, was destroyed in the air raid of 16 June 1942. It was rebuilt after the war near the corner of Knuckey and Smith Street. It appears Mrs O'Sullivan's boarding house at Lot 422 was used to relocate Jolly's store.

Don:
Looking directly through the ruins of Jolly's bombed out store, you can see the Bank of N.S.W. To the extreme left is the Commercial Bank Of Australia, and in the middle of the two banks is Cashman's Newsagency.


Andrew King. 17-Feb-2025
The photo was from "Darwin Fortress" by Robert Rayner
Meanwhile as if to build on the success from the previous day, the Japanese returned to Darwin on 16 June just before lunch. Again with 27 Bombers and a fighter escort, they made the same approach run as before and it was very effective. Bombs dropped on a run across the town destroyed several buildings including the Bank of New South Wales. The No. 10 Tank at the Oil Fuel Installation received a direct hit from a 300 KG bomb, igniting oil in the Nos.10 and 11 tanks which caused severe damage to the Anti Aircraft Light Machine Gun Troop of the 14 Anti Aircraft Battery. No equipment other than spare parts were lost.
Darwin Fortress (1995) Robert Rayney (pg 331)

Posted 2-May-2022

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0800-216

0800-217 Amy Johnson and Amelia Earhart. Two Famous Darwin Visitors 1930s.

Image courtesy of The Amy Johnson Estate.

Amy Johnson (left) and Amelia Earhart in New York, 2 August 1933.  

On 24 May 1930 Amy Johnson became the first aviatrix to conquer the London to Darwin solo flight. She died in 1941 when her plane crashed in the Thames Estuary. Her body was never recovered and her death has since remained a
mystery.

Amelia was America’s ‘first lady of the air’ the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. 29 June 1937: Leg 28.  Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan flew the Lockheed Electra from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, to Lae, Territory
of New Guinea, where they were last seen. She disappeared in mysterious circumstances while flying over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island.

Don:
The image and outfits were so impressive, that I decided to follow up on the image, to find out that they were very good friends, and many family photos had been taken of them together. Sadly, they both died in mysterious circumstances doing what they loved.


I believe the text at the bottom of this image reads: "Hello The Good Old Days".

Posted 3-May-2022

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0800-217

0800-218 Darwin wharf and docked Naval ships. 1930.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/786755
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/786756
Collection: Charles Micet Collection
Copyright owner: Library & Archives NT

Description:
Darwin Wharf RAN ships one possibly HMS Waterhen (D22/I22) a W class destroyer
that served in the Royal Navy (RN) from 1918 until 1933, and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1933 until her loss in 1941

Posted 11-May-2022

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0800-218

0800-219 Sue Wah Chin's family Darwin. 1955.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/318674

Description:
Mrs Sue Wah Chin, in the cane chair surrounded by children and grand children. Fannie Bay.
114 East Point Road, Fannie Bay, NT

Posted 12-May-2022

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0800-219

0800-220 Goyder's camp Darwin. View is from Fort Hill 1870.

Photographer: Samuel White Sweet
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/739849
Collection: Roger Nott Collection
Copyright owner: Library & Archives NT

Description:
Goyders camp. View is from Fort Hill

Posted 13-May-2022

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0800-220

0800-221 Star Theatre Darwin. World Premiere Jedda. 1955.

Photo Source Pinterest: Jill Kinang

On 3 January 1955 the Star Picture Theatre became part of Australian film history when it screened the world premiere of Jedda. Directed by Charles Chauvel

Posted 14-May-2022

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0800-221

0800-222 Goyder's Camp Port Darwin. 1870. 

From the State Library of SA. For another view, see B 4652. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/find/B+4652

Goyder's Camp Darwin. 1870.

Description:
Goyder's Camp in the Northern Territory in 1870.


Additional info on source and description provided by Greg Coonan.

Summary Port Darwin (1868-1870). This view is of the main camp at Port Darwin showing tents, buildings and in the centre, the stables. 

Posted 15-May-2022

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0800-222

0800-223 A man and three women. Darwin Beach 1920.

Copyright owner: Library & Archives NT
Robert Monteith Photographer:
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/629268
Robert Monteith Collection Darwin City

Don:
This same girl on the left, features in many of Robert Monteith's Photographs.


Posted 16-May-2022

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0800-223

0800-224 The Government camp Palmerston - Darwin 1878.

https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+5039

In a clearing in the foreground is the Government camp which is a mixed collection of buildings in various states of repair. Some are of corrugated iron, earlier ones of timber. The Government residence on the hill on the left has a flagstaff and appears to be having building work done. There are other well built houses or public buildings in the distance. [On back of
photograph] 'Palmerston / The Government camp / 1878 / Govt. residence on hill at left' (Another hand) 'For note see B 4652'.

Cheryl:
See the washing on the line?

Posted 17-May-2022

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0800-224

0800-225 HMS Moonta Ship brought the 1869 survey to Port Darwin.

Photo and description: Andrew King

Photo and description: Andrew King
HMS Moonta which brought the 1869 survey party under George Goyder to Port Darwin

Greg Coonan:
The Moonta was named after the town of Moonta in South Australia.

Costa Karaolias:
Moonta House Mitchell Street Darwin was named after this ship.

Posted 18-May-2022

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0800-225

0800-226 Estelle Ship at Port Darwin, 1878.

https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+5041 Approximately 1878

A clump of banana palms are seen in the foreground of this view of Port Darwin, looking out to sea. Vegetation has partially obscured buildings around the wharf area where a single ship is moored, the three-masted barquentine 'Estelle'. [On back of photograph] 'Port Darwin / August 1878 / showing the 'Estelle'' (Another
hand) 'For note see B 4652'.

Posted 19-May-2022

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0800-226

0800-227 The House that Jack Built. Darwin 1914.

Photo Source and Description: Kerry Mark

House built by John Cobb Buscall at Darwin Dec 1914. Contract price £637 THe kitchen block at the back detached. Concrete piers. Ridge ventilators. No chimneys. The Verandah is 12ft wide.

He built this at age 31. He had designed and built a lot in Darwin before his accident. I can't work out how he was a trader, builder, designer, ALP rep, father, husband and friend to many as well as be the drunkard the gossip tells me he was. Was tall poppy syndrome around in those days.

Bryan Baker:
Bennett Street? The 2nd house on left in this image is a possible match. Hip roof, same fence and ventilators and the power pole is the same too. Only the adjacent fence doesn’t join. https://hdl.handle.net/10070/696264

Andrew King:
Maybe it was this one. Right date 1914 'Items of interest.', Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873 - 1927), 17 December, p. 13. , viewed 20 May 2022,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3281804

A nice type of house, and one that is eminently suitable to Darwin and! Northern Territory climatic conditions generally is the one built by Mr. D. C. Watts, under the supervision of Mr. James C. Buscall, for Mr. James Bell, in Bennett-street, and now (occupied by Mr. F. I. H Finniss. With ample verandah accounts modation." and every possible provision for complete ventilation, it is the kind of residence which should commend' itself to the seeker after comfort. It is neatly and substan cheaply built, and most of the joinery work was done locally, proving as it does what can be done in Darwin without sending south.

Don:
The population of Darwin in 1911 was 1082. Assume 4 people per house equals about 250 houses. If it was anything like my grandparent's day, the number could have been closer to 8 per house, which would make it 125 houses in greater Darwin. Looking at Sean Casey's map of Darwin up to Daly Street in 1942, I doubt if there were 200 houses then. So how many new houses would be built in 1914? With the info available, I figure this stands a very strong chance of being the Finnis House at Lot 542 Bennett Street Darwin. 


Posted 20-May-2022

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0800-227

0800-228 Government House under construction 1878 Palmerston-Darwin.

Photo Source and Description: Andrew King

Government House under construction in 1878 photo taken from Fort Hill.

Posted 21-May-2022

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0800-228

0800-229 Izod Motors, Cavenagh St, Darwin 1947-48.

Title: Izod Motors Cavenagh
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/748208
Collection: Izod Collection.
Notes: Northern Territory Library was given this donation as a scanned copy of the original image.

Description:
From left to right, Ernie Izod, Leo Izod, and George (mechanic) with a crane and ute. The photo was taken sometime in the 1940s.

Marcia Davis
Eric and Leo Izod in front of the first Izod Motors, Cavenagh St, Darwin . 1947-48. They had the only crane in town. Eric at front and Leo leaning at back of crane . Eric came to Darwin 1945. This was Callaghan's Lolly water factory before the War. Eric had to clear it, go to Army auctions to set up a garage, find a house for the family to arrive 1946. This garage was situated next to Darwin's primary school.

Jeffrey Fong:
This has been mentioned before in Old Darwin. This is the site of our family's Darwin Aerated Waters soft drink factory which was run/acquired by the Defence Force during WW2 to supply soft drinks for the Defence Force.

Eric Izod was only here on our property just after the war 47/48? until he obtained Izod Motors on the corner of Cavenagh and Knuckey Streets next door. My dad came back and helped run the factory with his family after serving with the Defence Force in Melbourne. Our family's house was on the corner of Wood and Knuckey Sts and the factory adjoined it at the back.


Jeffrey Fong:
Good shot. The long building to the left was Thomas Brown's (wholesalers?) where my dad did their books before WW2. That one you have outlined was the main factory which was extended towards Knuckey St. Our old house, squarish building to the right. Izod's built where that cleared block is below Thomas Brown's.

Posted 22-May-2022

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0800-229

0800-230 Joy and Alec Drysdale Darwin 1949.

Image Source: Joyce Davis

L-R  
Pat Burrows, Joy Drysdale with baby Colin John & May Beard, Didi Grandillis.

Back:
Alec Drysdale, Teddy Brown.

Posted 23-May-2022

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0800-230

0800-231 Masonic Lodge Mitchell Street Darwin 1894.

Source: https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/208429707

Summary:
The first Masonic Lodge meeting in Darwin was in May 1896 at the Victoria Hotel, Smith St. In a brief history in a booklet produced for the Dedication of the Masonic Temple, Stokes Street, Darwin for the Darwin Masonic Hall Trust Incorporated on Friday 20th July 1962 it states: "Regular meetings were held in the lounge of the Victoria Hotel until late in 1900 or early 1901 when, according to 'The Masonic Guide of South Australia for 1901-02', the meeting place was shown as the 'Masonic Hall' Port Darwin."

It also says: "On the 28th September 1896 the freehold of portion of the land on Section 643 had been transferred from a Mr. Simpson Newland to Charles Edward Herbert, Solicitor, George McKeddie, Storekeeper, and Paul Foelsche, Inspector of Police as the Trustees of The Port Darwin Lodge, No. 41. Around 1901 a Masonic Temple was built by Chinese builders on this land which is situated at the South Eastern end of Mitchell Street next to what is now the Hotel Darwin. This original Temple consisted of the Lodge room and a festive hall with a porch
or entrance and was built of timber with the exterior walls and roof of corrugated iron and the interior walls and ceiling of small corrugated iron.

Around 1939-1940 a large Hall was added to the front of the Temple building to be used for the Festive Board and social functions generally. The original lodge room and festive hall was then combined to make a large lodge room."
[Information provided by Len Greenwood].

Location Lot 643 Mitchell Street.

1944 RAAF aerial view.

Don:
I believe this is the same building with the 1939-40 large hall added to the front of the existing building, making it into a large lodge room, that survived the Darwin bombings.

Posted 24-May-2022

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0800-231

0800-232 John Lyon's Cottage Darwin 1925.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/733371 Peter Spillett Collection

Description:
John Lyon's Cottage, formerly BAT supervisor's residence.

Lyons Cottage is the only remaining example of colonial bungalow style architecture in Darwin. Located on The Esplanade overlooking Darwin Harbour, the simple cottage is built from locally quarried porcellanite stone, timber from Asia and slate roof tiles from England, was constructed in 1925 for the Eastern Extension Australasian and China Telegraph Company, successor to the British Australia Telegraph (BAT) Company. The cottage was home for a number of years to lawyer and politician John ‘Tiger’ Lyons and his family. Lyons Cottage has survived war and cyclone damage and is valued by the public for its architectural, historic and social significance.

The Esplanade and Knuckey Street Darwin.


Joyce Davis 18-Dec-2024
It was always referred to as BAT house.

Posted 25-May-2022

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0800-232

0800-233 Cavenagh Street and Bennett Street Darwin 1920s.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/325736
Collection: Bill Littlejohn Collection

Description:
Cavenagh Street with Bennett Street crossing over, featuring Don Picture Theatre, Tree of Knowledge and horse drawn carriage.

Posted 26-May-2022

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0800-233

0800-234 Government House Palmerston - Darwin 1879.

Photo source and Description: Andrew King.

On the 17th May 1879 the new Residence was reported completed, being described and christened by the Northern Territory Times & Gazette as follows:

The House of Seven Gables, known as the Residence is now finished, and though it may not be considered a model of architectural skill, it may claim to be a comfortable house and well suited to the climate.

Posted 27-May-2022

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0800-235 Bond store Darwin Railway Yards Approx. 1918.

Photographer: Brown, Percy
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/731133

https://territorystories.nt.gov.au/10070/749138

Description:
Bond store, Darwin, situated in the railway yards. Several rows of railway trucks are parked on rails. No. 189 is visible on one truck, No. 53 on another. Behind the second shed is the train water tank.

Posted 28-May-2022

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0800-236 J. Johnson Darwin Coastal Radio Station 1920s.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/733687
Percy Brown Collection

Description:
Warrant Telegraphist J. J. Johnson (Officer in Charge, Darwin Coastal Radio Station) posing with his wife and three children

Posted 29-May-2022

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0800-237 Radio Operators 1918. Darwin.

Copyright owner: Library & Archives NT
Collection: Percy Brown Collection
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/733733 PictureNT

Description:
Radio Operators. Darwin Coastal Radio Station, at the Monastery Mess.

Back L-R:
Philp. J., Way. Alan, Corley. Joe, Robey. A, Mr Beurteux, Ludlow. C, Kerlin. R., Chinese Cook.

Front L-R:
Stewart. K, Brown. Percy. Father Fanning. Allinson. L. Reynolds. G.

Seated in front 'Frog' the head waiter.

Call sign: VID      
Opened: 25 September 1913.     Closed: 1931.
Location: In Frog Hollow near the junction of Wireless Hill Road, McMinn Street and Daly Street. Transferred to: Parap in 1950.

Google Street View:
Strangely location to me is somewhat vague. If anyone has a more specific location, it would be nice.

Posted 31-May-2022

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0800-238 Darwin Railway yards approx.1940s.

Photographer: Harry, Stanley B
Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/742288

Description:
Aerial view of the Railway Workshops and buildings in Bennett Street. Shops in Cavenagh Street are visible and Gordon's Don Hotel. Darwin Railway Yards.
 
Posted 1-June-2022

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0800-239 Panoramic View Darwin Railway Yards 1930s.

From left to right the Source citations are:
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/311358
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/310259
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/314089
M. Goodale Collection
We assume he lined up each photo so well you’d assume he was also thinking of a panorama. It must have been a good view from the top of the water tank!

This is a combination of the work of four people and comprises three images.

The middle image has a 2nd citation Ph0345-0100 but is dated 1940s which is not correct as the walls of the oil tanks were darkened before 1934 (that’s the year the Bond store burnt down and replaced by one with a different roof profile).

Final Image Credits:
Bryan Baker found and merged the three images together, then inspired me.

Charles Hanna did the major colourisation.
Mick Gulovsen handled some minor historical-colour corrections.
Don McKenzie managed, enhanced, and completed to a high resolution standard.

Posted 30-May-2022

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0800-240 Venus family. Darwin 1900.

https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+41096
Part of Darwin Collection

Venus family, Auntie Lill, Gran, Uncle Will, Uncle Harold, Dad (Darwin Venus), Uncle Dave.

Posted 2-June-2022

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0800-241 1942 Darwin Railway Station.

Photo Source: Robert Williamson's Family Collection.

Bryan Baker:
I think the timber structure is the old bell tower moved when the building was expanded with a veranda on this side. You can see the join in the roof which was the old roof edge.

Posted 3-June-2022


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0800-242 Darwin - Fannie Bay and Parap, 1978.

Northern Territory Government Photographer, Fannie Bay and Parap, 1978, LANT, PH0093/0140.

William Harburn
Fannie Bay Jail - Centre right. Fannie Bay Shops - just below the Jail. Great photo.

Posted 4-June-2022


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0800-243 Knuckey and Mitchell Darwin 1954.

Image Source: Graham Poeling-Oer

Knuckey st again from Robertas Library/Tamarind Park.

Posted 5-June-2022


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0800-244 Royal Darwin Show 1956.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/327210
Gerrard Collection Darwin Showgrounds

Description:
Royal Darwin Show. Two men with wild animals near the Hastings Deering Stand

Posted 6-June-2022


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0800-245 Vestey family. Palmerston - Darwin. 1911.

https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+41109
Subject: Vestey (Family)

Vestey family in front of home-Darwin, Lill, Gran, grandfather. 1911

Posted 6-June-2022


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0800-246 Japanese War Trials Darwin 1946.

Australian War Memorial:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C291494
https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search?query=darwin+war+trial&collection=true
A total of 95 photos.

Darwin, NT. 1946-03-03. Defending counsel in front and prisoners at rear show intense concentration when listening to evidence during the Japanese War Criminal Trials. Left to right: front: Captain S. Goto, assistant defence counsel, of HQ 48th Japanese Division; Navy Lieutenant K. Takeda, assistant defence counsel, of HQ 6th Japanese Naval Guard; Captain Y. Matsushima, interpreter, of HQ 48th Japanese Division; VX93462 Captain W. G. Cole, defending counsel of Oakleigh, Vic.

The war crimes trials initially took place at Larrakeyah Barracks, however due to local sentiment, they were moved off shore.

Posted 8-June-2022


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0800-247 The Wesleyan Church, Port Darwin 1888.

Citation address: https://hdl.handle.net/10070/739020
William C. J. Tracey Collection

The Wesleyan Church and manse in Knuckey Street, Port Darwin.

Posted 9-June-2022


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0800-248 Smith and Bennett streets Darwin late 1930s.

Image Source: N/A

Jolly's verandah on the left.

Posted 10-June-2022

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0800-249 Granny Mansfield Darwin 1933.

Image Source and Description: Kerry Mark.

Granny Mansfield with birthday cake. Darwin 1933.

From my ancestors photos. I am fascinated with this picture for some reason.  There are so many intricacies in it that says "old Darwin". I would also love her family to see it as she was a well known old Darwinite There are so many
intricacies in this picture.

Northern Standard (Darwin N.T.), Thursday 25 March 1937 - Page 12 DEATH OF GRAN
MANSFIELD

The death took place at the Darwin Hospital on Tuesday afternoon last of Mrs. Susannah Mansfield, the Northern Territory's oldest woman, at the great age of 93 years, the cause of death being bronchitis and senility. The late Mrs. Mansfield, or "Gran" as she was known to all her friends, arrived in the Northern Territory over 40 years ago with her husband, who died at Brocks Creek in 1914.

She was crippled from an accident when 75 years of age, but remained mentally alert and cheery. Her father fought at the Battle of Waterloo under the Duke of Wellington, and later went to Oatlands, Tasmania, where Susannah was born.

Later the family moved to Victoria in the early days of the gold mining rushes in that state. She was a child of 11 years when the Government troops launched their surprise attack on the Eureka Stockade and could recount how the miners armed with pikes stook up to the rifle fire of the attackers, although 20 of their number fell mortally wounded. She remembers Lola Montez. She was among the welcomers to Sir Charles Hotham on his arrival at the goldfields. she remembered Wills the explorer. Her eyesight remained quite good to the end, and she was always fond of reading.

Her only son fought in the Great War and is a resident of England. Her only daughter, Mrs. Byers, was killed tragically in a driving accident some years ago. There are four surviving grandchildren two of whom are in the Territory,
W.R. Byers, (Darwin), Stanley David (Sid) Byers
(Auvergne Station).

The funeral took place on Wednesday, the Rev. L.N. Kentish performing the graveside rites. Wreaths were received from the following:- Mrs. and Mrs. Allwright and family; Sid and Will, Vic; Eddie and Goodman family; Rube and Vic;
Cull and Lill; Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Cashman; M.e. Yamamoto, Carey and Co. Staff and W. Fuller; A.E. Jolly and Co.; Victoria Hotel; M. and C. Osborne, Mrs. Litchfield and family; Lillian Lovegrove, Eileen Gribbon and Myrtle Fawcett; C.
and L. Clark.

Posted 11-June-2022

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0800-250 Road at the foot of Fort Hill Darwin, leading to Jetty. 1877.

https://territorystories.nt.gov.au/10070/459227
Foelsche Photograph Album

Posted 12-June-2022

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Please share this story with your family and friends so that they can read about the Darwin stories, its history,  and what it has to offer tourists. 

Thank you very much, Don...

Last Updated on February 17, 2025

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