12°28′06″S 130°50′37″E / 12.46833°S 130.84361°E / -12.46833; 130.84361
74-483: Batchelor may refer to: Batchelor, Northern Territory , Australia, a town Batchelor, Louisiana , United States, an unincorporated community Batchelor (surname) , people with the surname See also [ edit ] Batchelors , a food brand Bachelor , an unmarried man Louis Bachelier (1870–1946), French mathematician Bachelor (disambiguation) The Bachelors (disambiguation) Topics referred to by
148-587: A respiratory infection at his home at South Yarra , Melbourne, and was cremated. Briefly imprisoned at Fannie Bay Gaol for his "no taxation without representation" campaign, Harold Nelson won the first Territory seat in the House of Representatives in 1922 and held the seat until 1934. Nelson spent his time in parliament campaigning for greater expenditure and self-government for the Northern Territory, with little success. Following his defeat at
222-619: A conspiracy was reportedly uncovered between the Government and Vestey's regarding the illegal takeover of a large pastoral property. Gilruth was alleged to have distributed significant bribes, and H. E. Carey —who was both Government Secretary and the Chief Clerk at the meatworks—was accused of collusion . It was widely thought that Vestey Brothers, with its experience in similar ventures elsewhere and access to substantial capital, would be able to develop large-scale cattle rearing in
296-476: A formidable body with little minority opposition. Gilruth had correctly envisaged that, for the foreseeable future, large-scale private enterprise in Darwin would be based on the mining, agriculture and cattle industries. The large British conglomerate, Vestey Brothers , proposed setting up a meat processing plant in Darwin and work commenced on this in 1914. An analysis of the negotiations suggested that neither
370-412: A library with internet access (available at a charge), which is open to the public on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, police station, post office and a public swimming pool. There are also community sports facilities including playing fields, a skate park and basketball courts. A large electricity substation owned by Power and Water Corporation is located at Batchelor and the town's power supply
444-589: A small medical clinic operated by the Northern Territory Government, offering a general practice service on weekdays. The clinic is staffed 24 hours for emergency care. The clinic offers specialist services by appointment by way of semi-regular visits as with many remote clinics in the Northern Territory. Batchelor Health Centre is typically staffed by a primary health care manager, two GPs, two to three remote area nurses and an Aboriginal health worker. Emergency medications are kept on site, but
518-562: A supermarket. There are a number of attractions in the town area for visitors travelling between Darwin and Litchfield Park including a museum, cultural centre, butterfly sanctuary and miniature replica of Karlstein Castle . The airfield also offers scenic flights and sky diving for visitors. In 2011, it was announced that the Windy Hills Australian Game Meat company has signed an agreement to re-open and operate
592-604: A time of rigid social structure , men of all classes united in the pursuit of a common aim behind Nelson. Ignoring growing discontent, Gilruth distanced himself from the people even further, by moving to take over the hotels. On 29 September 1915, an ordinance passed by the Federal Executive Council in Melbourne nationalised the supply of liquor in the northern part of the Territory. The legislation
666-482: A trip to Hermannsburg to investigate negative reports given by Walter Baldwin Spencer of Strehlow's Lutheran mission there. Spencer was critical of Strehlow's work, and wanted to convert the mission into a home for " half-castes " (that is, an Aboriginal reserve ). From the beginning, Gilruth's plans for economic development did not progress as planned. He did his best to promote mining and agriculture, including
740-553: A vacuum filled only by the emergent Australian Workers' Union (AWU) and by World War I. During that time, Gilruth came to matter less and less as the AWU gathered strength under the leadership of Harold Nelson . The Palmerston (Darwin) District Council was established by proclamation in 1874, with representatives elected on a ratepayer franchise. On 4 February 1915 the Minister for External Affairs , Hugh Mahon , decided to abolish
814-581: Is an entry point for travellers to Litchfield National Park which attracts approximately 280,000 visitors annually. Seven rangers of the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Service and the Litchfield National Park office are based in the town. The town is situated on one of two all—weather access roads to the park and a number of accommodation options are available as well as services including mechanical repairs and
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#1732772086184888-645: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Batchelor, Northern Territory Batchelor is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia . The town is the current seat and largest town of the Coomalie Shire local government area . It is located 98 kilometres (61 mi) south of the territory capital, Darwin . A number of residents commute to Darwin and its suburbs for work. The first inhabitants and traditional owners of
962-488: Is home to a TAFE and higher education college, the Batchelor Institute , with a strong focus on delivering higher educational outcomes for indigenous students from around Australia. The institute has been located at its current location since 1982. At the 2011 census , 18% of Batchelor's workforce were employed in the tertiary education industry and a further 9.5% were employed in school education. The town
1036-552: Is sourced from the high voltage transmission lines that run through the area between Darwin and Katherine . The town is located close to significant water resources including two major dams and ground water aquifers which provided water for drinking and irrigation. Batchelor is the main waste management facility for the Coomalie Shire. Batchelor Institute's Indigenous Media Unit holds a licence for Radio Rum Jungle, broadcast on 97.3 FM . The station has been in operation from
1110-605: Is willing to leave Darwin by the steamer and remain away until a public commission is granted on his administration. This meeting will guarantee him safe conduct to the steamer.... Gilruth initially refused to address the crowd other than making a statement that he was answerable to the Minister and would not and did not recognise the citizens of Darwin as having any authority over him. The crowd outside became tense and impatient. The crowd demanded that Gilruth appear before them to vindicate himself. Surprisingly, Gilruth complied but he
1184-635: The Administrator of the Northern Territory , John Gilruth , and demanded his resignation. Their grievances were against the two main Northern Territory employers, Vestey’s Meatworks and the Commonwealth of Australia , and concerned political representation , unemployment , taxation and ongoing industrial disputes following the implementation of the White Australia policy . Gilruth and his family left Darwin soon afterwards under
1258-563: The Australian Atomic Energy Commission . A subsidiary company named Territory Enterprises Pty Ltd was created to manage the project, and in co-operation with the Commonwealth government constructed much of the present day town from August 1952 onwards, creating housing and amenities for workers on the project. The original design had been based around a permanent population for some 600 persons, but during
1332-512: The Commonwealth Parliament after Federation in 1901. On 1 January 1911, the transfer of the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth government deprived Territorians of all political representation and voting rights. The Commonwealth Constitution did not allow for Federal electorates to cross state borders. This enabled national governments to avoid a hypothetical impasse where a thousand Territory voters might some day hold
1406-691: The Tasmanian Supreme Court was appointed to chair a Royal Commission on Northern Territory Administration. The outcome of the Royal Commission was the Northern Territory Representation Act 1922 (Cwlth) which provided for one Northern Territory member of the House of Representatives ; the member had no voting rights, could not be chosen to be the Speaker or Chairman of Committees, and
1480-660: The White population. Not only did Asians compete successfully against Europeans for jobs that were scarce, but they also diversified into other profitable areas such as vegetable growing, cooking, tailoring and cleaning. Consequently, the retail trade was almost entirely in Chinese hands and their success was resented by Europeans. Given the option, most employers preferred to employ Chinese workers, not necessarily because they were cheaper to employ, but because they were more reliable. The problem faced by unskilled European labourers in
1554-541: The railway line from Port Darwin to Pine Creek in the late 1880s required the immigration of Chinese labour. In December 1888, the South Australian Chinese Immigration Act came into effect, effectively putting a stop to the immigration increase. Those Chinese workers already in Darwin had proved themselves reliable, hard-working and good citizens. After the decline of the gold rush , the Chinese population competed for jobs with
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#17327720861841628-416: The wet season from November to April. High humidity and overnight temperatures as well as large thunderstorms characterise this season. Streams and rivers in the area are prone to seasonal flooding and road closures are common during the wet season. During the dry season from May to October, the overnight temperatures are cooler and the days typically warm with little rainfall or cloud cover. Batchelor has
1702-489: The AWU conducted a secret ballot amongst its members, which overwhelmingly supported a general strike commencing 28 April. Although the Darwin strike was in itself insignificant, the threat of widespread national disruption if Chinese labour were used to keep the northern port operational, was significant. After weeks of strike action, the union reserves were empty of strike funds, the parent AWU in Townsville hostile to
1776-537: The AWU rapidly grew reaching approximately 700 by 1915. Most members were employed in key infrastructure areas including occupations at the wharf, on the railway line, truck owners, and in the construction of the Vesteys Meatworks at Bullocky Point. Their catchcry quickly became ' no taxation without representation '. Nelson's tactics were simple, he wanted to secure a strong membership base before using industrial muscle. The Chinese were not allowed to join
1850-771: The Aboriginal Teacher Education Centre annex of Kormilda College . In 1979, the Northern Territory Government sold many houses in Batchelor to existing residents and encouraged the development of private sector industries, including the Meneling Abattoirs and Woodcutters Mine to establish a permanent population base to ensure the ongoing viability of the town. The major employment industries in Batchelor are education , tourism and horticulture . The town
1924-727: The BIITE campus is Yera Children's service providing care for children aged 0–6 operated by One Tree Community services, a not-for-profit organisation. The primary access route between Darwin and Batchelor is via the Stuart Highway and Batchelor Road , the southern turn off for Litchfield National Park. Until its closure in 1976, the town was served by a station on the North Australia Railway . The current Adelaide-Darwin Railway alignment passes several kilometres to
1998-461: The Batchelor abattoirs to process cattle, buffalo and camel meats over an initial period of five years. The abattoirs previously contributed significantly to the local economy and jobs market, but have been closed in recent years due to unfavourable industry conditions. Mining company Compass Resources applied in 2005 to commence mining operations on the Browns Oxide project site adjacent to
2072-855: The Batchelor campus since 1987. Additionally, the Government owned Australian Broadcasting Corporation also has local transmitters for national services ABC Radio National (92.1 FM) and youth station Triple J (92.9 FM). Batchelor receives digital television services from Darwin broadcast by the Nine Network (9, GO! and Gem), Southern Cross (SC7, 7Two and 7Mate), Darwin Digital Television (10, OneHD and 11) as well as all ABC and SBS channels. Additionally, Imparja Television can be received by terrestrial analogue broadcasts. Subscription television services via satellite are also available through Austar . The Northern Territory News and Sunday Territorian published by News Limited are
2146-515: The Commonwealth. In the years following Commonwealth Administration, Territorians became increasingly unhappy with unrepresentative government from southern Australia. The Northern Territory's few economic pursuits— pearling , pastoralism , and mining —were all run down. Expected Commonwealth-led development dissipated as Federal funding was diverted towards Australia's participation in World War I . Consequently, conflict between labour unions and
2220-534: The Darwin Australian Workers' Union (AWU) came into existence in 1912. Gilruth was given a free hand to deal with the situation in Darwin and arrived in the midst of a long pay dispute involving wharf lumpers and shipping agents. AWU representatives met with Gilruth several times in 1912 and 1913, but little was resolved. When the government lowered the wages of survey field hands in April 1913,
2294-588: The Minister's announcement further alienated Gilruth from the townspeople. The Prime Minister was not as concerned as his colleagues were about the troubles in Darwin. He dismissed the matter, saying that it was "a healthy sign, showing that people are alive to their own interests". In the weeks that followed the announcement of the demise of the Palmerston District Council, support for the AWU organiser, Harold Nelson , rapidly grew. Although in
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2368-540: The Northern Territory administration began to grow. Dr John A. Gilruth arrived in Darwin in April 1912, after prime minister Andrew Fisher invited him to join a scientific mission to investigate the potential of the Northern Territory. He was later given the position of Administrator of the Northern Territory . Gilruth's appointment sparked his enthusiasm for economic development of the Northern Territory by means of "mining, crop-growing and pastoralism". In 1913 Gilruth gave Carl Strehlow his support after undertaking
2442-423: The Northern Territory was by far the most promising development in the history of the region. However, due to the labour shortage, workers were able to obtain higher wages through regular strikes . As a consequence, Vestey's could not make the meatworks profitable. Its temporary closure in 1917 significantly affected the already struggling Territory economy by putting hundreds of workers out of work. Additionally,
2516-700: The Northern Territory was that no-one cared about their situation. "Local employers did not want them, the South Australian Government was indifferent to them, and since they were not unionized, their comrades in southern Australia ignored them." On 9 January 1911, the Fisher Labor Government issued a Ministerial instruction to implement the White Australia policy . With the threat of Chinese competition reduced, European workers were able to bargain for higher rates of pay. Needing an organisation to represent workers' interests,
2590-585: The Northern Territory". Although the strike was called off in the first week of June, it shaped future industrial relations in the Northern Territory, as the "White Australia" policy and anti-Chinese feeling fuelled support for the Unions. Harold Nelson moved to Darwin from Pine Creek in 1913 with his wife and five children. He quickly became the driving force and organiser for the Australian Workers' Union (AWU). Under his leadership, membership to
2664-549: The Northern Territory, a pre-school is also located on the site. The school's student catchment covers the entire Coomalie Shire as well as parts of Litchfield Shire . As there is no public bus service in the town, special school bus services are provided to and from the Eva Valley , Acacia and Adelaide River areas. In 2010, Batchelor Area School was granted funding from the Australian Government to extend
2738-461: The Territory without significant government intervention. Cattle was the one commodity that Northern Australia produced in large numbers. It was thought that Gilruth and the Federal government fully supported Vestey's plans. From the time of the meatworks establishment in 1914 until its permanent closure six years later in 1920, Vestey's had lost a great deal of money. The Darwin venture existed in
2812-509: The Territory, including the manager of the State Liquor Department , because of Gilruth's policies. However, the mistake that helped finish Gilruth's career in the Territory, was trivial. As Darwinites prepared to celebrate the end of the war , the women employed in the state hotels asked for a few hours off on Saturday, 14 November to join in the celebrations. The hotel boarders agreed to dine elsewhere and everybody presumed
2886-585: The airport. In October 2014, the airfield was used in filming an episode of BBC series Top Gear . Interstate and international flights are available at Darwin International Airport , about a one-hour drive from the town. The offices of the Coomalie Community Government Council are located on the outskirts of the town, and as such many local and territory government services are accessible. The town has
2960-410: The appointment by Gilruth of a 'supervisor of hotels', at a high salary. As a result of the takeover, the price of beer and whisky rapidly increased. It was reported that the price of beer jumped by 30 percent. Gilruth had also ordered the closure of the public bar in the popular Victoria Hotel and consequently, the hotel was losing profits. In 1918, several station owners and businessmen abandoned
3034-414: The balance of power in an evenly divided Commonwealth Parliament. Of the 4.5 million European Australians living on the continent, only 1,729 lived in the Northern Territory, along with about 1,300 Chinese and an unknown number of indigenous Australians . Following the transfer, the Northern Territory was run by an administrator appointed by the Commonwealth executive, a public servant answerable to
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3108-487: The council, thus depriving Territorians of their slight vestige of democratic government. He gave as his reasons that "the District Council had blocked the government at every move". The new council would be replaced by two representatives of the government and two elected by the ratepayers, with Carey as Chairman . In effect, this gave Gilruth increased powers. The abolition of the Palmerston District Council
3182-522: The defence of Australia. Units of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force also operated from Batchelor. To support the airbase, the railway siding formerly used by the demonstration farm was extended and a petrol unloading point installed. Following the discovery of uranium at Rum Jungle by prospector Jack White in 1948, Consolidated Zinc Pty Ltd began mining and processing the uranium on behalf of
3256-639: The development of a meatworks in Darwin by the English firm, Vesteys . However, these attempts proved disappointing, and by 1913, the Gilruth administration was already becoming unpopular. With the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the Commonwealth Government lost interest in development of the Northern Territory as federal funds were diverted towards the war. As a consequence,
3330-540: The east of the town but no station facilities are provided. Interstate coach services pick up/set down point is at the junction of Batchelor Road and the Stuart Highway. Additionally, tour busses travelling to Litchfield park will often visit the town as a refreshment stop. Batchelor Airfield has a sealed runway suitable for light aircraft and is occasionally used for medical evacuation flights. Several aviation companies offer scenic flights and charter services at
3404-425: The farm were melons, pumpkins and cabbages. From 1919, the farm was used both as a private cattle station and an Aboriginal compound. A portion of the land formerly used for the demonstration farm was cleared during 1933 for use as a civilian aerodrome. This airfield would be substantially upgraded during World War II , becoming a major base for both Royal Australian Air Force and United States Army Air Forces in
3478-473: The first minister responsible for the Northern Territory who died in office during the previous year. The farm operated until 1919, experimenting with different crops and livestock with varied results. The farm suffered from problems attracting and retaining experienced workers amid the strikes and industrial relations turmoil that led to the Darwin Rebellion . Among the crops successfully produced at
3552-419: The former Rum Jungle mine, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Batchelor. While approval was granted for this project in 2006, the company was placed in voluntary administration in 2009. The future of the project is now in doubt. Batchelor experiences a tropical savanna climate ( Köppen : Aw ) with distinct wet and dry seasons. The annual rainfall is 1,487.8 millimetres (58.57 in), primarily falling during
3626-523: The government nor Vestey Brothers were fully confident of the success of the venture they were about to undertake. It also showed that Gilruth, as the middleman, was thoroughly influential in its outcome. It was largely through his efforts that Vestey Brothers finally consented to building a meatworks in Darwin. Vestey's meatworks began operation in 1917 on Bullocky Point (current site of the Darwin High School ) in Darwin. Vestey's entry into
3700-493: The land surrounding the town are the Warrai and Kungarakany peoples. In the 2016 census , Batchelor recorded a population of 507 people, with 36% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. The area of Batchelor, then known by its broader locality Rum Jungle , was first surveyed in 1869 as a part of Hundred of Goyder (Northern Territory) and was first purchased by WO Clyde and likely used to grow tobacco until it
3774-690: The library facilities as part of the Building the Education Revolution program. As of 2016, there were 119 students enrolled at the school. The principal is Robyn Thorpe. The main campus of the Batchelor Institute is located within the town and provides tertiary and vocational education and training with a focus on outcomes for indigenous students. Other tertiary education options are available through Charles Darwin University with campuses located in Darwin and Palmerston . Located on
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#17327720861843848-528: The main newspapers circulated in Batchelor. Darwin Rebellion The Darwin rebellion of 17 December 1918 was the culmination of unrest in the Australian Workers' Union which had existed between 1911 and early 1919. Led by Harold Nelson , over 1,000 demonstrators marched on Government House at Liberty Square in Darwin , Northern Territory , Australia where they burnt an effigy of
3922-402: The matter was closed. However, Gilruth subsequently refused to concede leave for the women, who took the time off anyway. When they returned to work the next day, they found themselves locked out by order of the administrator. It was also reported that Gilruth refused permission for a ship to unload 700 cases of beer for the town's Christmas supplies. On Saturday afternoon, 7 December, there
3996-405: The meatworks project progressed. Nelson met with Gilruth in the second week of November 1914. Although there is no record of the first confrontation between the men, subsequent records indicate the meeting concluded in a significant victory for the AWU. At that time, carpenters united to join the AWU (and not their parent Carpenters and Joiners union). By late 1916, the AWU in Darwin had grown into
4070-491: The meatworks. Over 1,000 men walked to Government House demanding " no taxation without representation ", behind a car carrying an effigy of Gilruth tied to a stake. A deputation presented a motion to Gilruth that stated in part: We, the citizens of Darwin here assembled ask that the Administrator address us regarding his administration of the Territory of the last five years. Failing to comply, that he be asked if he
4144-532: The national press until the following Thursday afternoon. The news was received with great interest. The national press reacted by blaming a Soviet establishment in Darwin, total anarchy , an uncaring federal government and Gilruth himself. The rebellion was described as the nearest thing to a revolution since the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat in 1854. In November 1919, the Hon. Norman Kirkwood Ewing of
4218-611: The nearest pharmacy is located in the outer suburbs of Darwin, some distance to the north. Batchelor Airfield has lighting available for night landings facilitating emergency evacuations, and an ambulance is also based in the town. There is one public school in Batchelor, the Batchelor Area School established in 1953. The school caters for students from Transition to Year 9, with students in Years 10-12 travelling to Darwin to complete their schooling. As with many schools in
4292-588: The price of beer (at the expense of the Australian taxpayer) the mob would have departed peacefully. However, though this would have been 'diplomatic,' to purchase peace at this price would have been condemned by the Minister and the Treasury". The government was alarmed, and within a week of the incident the lightly armed gunboat HMAS Una arrived to protect the administrator. She anchored beneath Government House Cliff on Christmas Eve. Another public meeting
4366-614: The protection of HMAS Encounter , while the Vestey company permanently closed its Darwin operations in 1920. The event was described as the nearest thing to a revolution in Australia since the Eureka Stockade rebellion at Ballarat in 1854. From 1863 until 1911, Northern Territory residents were entitled to vote in both South Australian and from 1901, Commonwealth elections. This status had also enabled Territorians to qualify as South Australian voters in elections for both Houses of
4440-483: The residence. On 20 February 1919, Gilruth left Darwin by his own accord and boarded HMAS Encounter , a cruiser with eleven 6-inch guns and nine 12-pounder guns, still the administrator, but now prepared to function from Melbourne . His departure effectively ended what was to become commonly known as the "Darwin Rebellion". Wartime censorship prevented news of the storming of Government House in Darwin reaching
4514-454: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Batchelor . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Batchelor&oldid=1248625935 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Place name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
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#17327720861844588-511: The unions and by late 1914, mainly through Nelson's swift and ruthless actions, Chinese workers had been excluded from all labouring work, except that of a domestic nature. Many Chinese had been employed at the wharf and as a result the AWU demanded and got higher wages for white workers. In 1914 and early 1915, through a campaign of boycotts and strikes, Nelson forced Vestey Brothers to raise wages for their construction workers and meatworks employees in Darwin. Further industrial affairs continued as
4662-480: The weight of public frustration fell upon Gilruth, whose own character and actions helped to bring about that result. He was described as "headstrong and domineering". and his blunt, dynamic style of leadership was seen as being arrogant, insensitive, and "not fitted to rule a democratic people". He went to Darwin predisposed "to treat the Chinese with reserve, the Aboriginals with heavy-handed paternalism and
4736-487: The white trade unionists with suspicion". Gilruth constantly clashed with trade unionists, employers, workers, and even his own officers. With Gilruth hindered by the Commonwealth Government, "which neither gave him the powers he needed to rule effectively nor evolved consistent policies for the region", a confrontation between his administration and the townspeople was inevitable. The construction of
4810-444: The whole event, the Federal government indifferent and a number of strikers back at work, it was evident that strike action was lost. In late May, AWU representatives met with Gilruth to negotiate their terms of surrender; the unionists were prepared to return to work as long as the strikers were re-instated to their former positions. Not content with his devastating victory, Gilruth refused, "wanting to eliminate all traces of unionism in
4884-581: The years the mine was operating, this number was regularly exceeded. Processing and extraction of uranium ore at the Rum Jungle mine had ceased by 1971, and the control of the township was handed back to the Northern Territory Administration. The administration would oversee the establishment of new industries beginning in 1974, with the training of Aboriginal teachers aides and classroom assistants for remote schools through
4958-652: Was a meeting at Darwin Oval, attended by several hundred people, about ever-increasing alcohol prices and the re-opening of the Victoria Hotel public bar. On 16 December, Nelson met with the Police Inspector and asked for permission to stage a peaceful protest march from Parap to Government House. The Police Inspector gave permission on the condition there would be no violence. On the afternoon of 17 December 1918, stop-work meetings were held in Darwin and at
5032-442: Was a political error, but at first neither the Minister nor Gilruth saw it. The council's importance, however, lay in the fact that it was "the only symbol of representative government and democracy in the Northern Territory", and was made up of a small but influential middle class of Darwin, such as shipping agents, mine owners, landlords and ranking public servants. These were the people whose support Gilruth needed, but instead
5106-411: Was defiant, inviting the crowd to gaze upon him and stating if recalled by the Minister he would leave, but under no other circumstances would he leave his post. As the crowd swelled, part of the picket fence around Government House collapsed and union leader Harold Nelson reportedly called out "over the fence boys". The crowd advanced across the garden into Government House. For a few moments, Gilruth
5180-463: Was held in January 1919, and a telegram sent from the meeting to the acting prime minister which read: We, the citizens of the Northern Territory, beseechingly implore you to recall the Administrator, Dr. Gilruth, in the interests of life and property, as his autocratic administration is fast reaching a grave crisis. In the weeks that followed, Gilruth and his family were virtual prisoners within
5254-667: Was not counted for quorum or majority determination purposes in the House. Gilruth never returned to the Northern Territory. In the 1920s, he advanced his career with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Melbourne. In 1933, he was elected to the presidency and in 1936 to honorary membership of the Australian Veterinary Association . Gilruth retired in 1935 and on 4 March 1937, he died of
5328-436: Was ostensibly aimed at Chinese ' sly-groggers ' often accused of selling low quality liquor, but in effect was designed to curb consumption of alcohol in northern Australia and provide some revenue to the Federal budget. Known as the 'government-takeover', penalties were steep and costs of administration and auditing the hotels rose rapidly. There were also some adverse side-effects with the closure of several popular hotels and
5402-495: Was roughly handled and abused as he attempted to flee into the residence. Windows were broken and the wire netting removed from the tennis court. Eventually, the crowd dispersed, but not before they carried Gilruth's effigy to the front gate of Government House, soaked it in kerosene and set it alight. In a subsequent letter to the Prime Minister , Gilruth stated that "he was perfectly aware that had he promised to reduce
5476-432: Was selected by the government. In 1911 the area was selected as one of two demonstration farms (the other was located at Daly River ) established by the Commonwealth to investigate the economic potential of the Northern Territory following the administrative hand over from South Australia ; this was known as Batchelor Demonstration Farm . The farm and an associated railway siding were named in 1912 after Lee Batchelor ,
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