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In 1938 Christina was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) along with Matron Elsie Jones,
another Territory pioneer. In announcing her award, the Northern Standard described Christina as the ‘hostess of
the Territory’, adding that ‘her hospitality while proprietress of the Vic is known not only throughout Australia but
is highly spoken of by travellers from all over the world who have visited Darwin.’
The Administrator of the Northern Territory, C L A Abbott, added some insight into Christina’s character
when he described her in his book Australia’s Frontier Province as ‘ruling the Victoria Hotel with a rod of iron
and insisted that ‘gentlemen must wear coats’ in the dining room. No coat no dinner. Amongst other buildings,
Mrs Gordon owned the picture theatre that stood opposite her hotel. When she leased the theatre she insisted upon
a clause in the lease that the lessee must have an interval extending from 9.45 to 9.54 p.m. The hotel bar closed
at 10 p.m. Mrs Gordon is a most charitable and public spirited woman and in 1938 to the delight of everyone,
including herself, was awarded the Order of the British Empire.’
In common with all other civilians, Christina was compulsorily evacuated from Darwin during the Second
World War, an evacuation to which she strongly objected. She flew out from Darwin on 14 January 1942. As soon
as civilians were permitted to return, Christina was back in Darwin, and again took over the Victoria Hotel.
But various factors, including shortages of staff, materials and labour forced her to dispose of the business. Severe
illness compelled her to return to Queensland, where the remainder of her life was spent. She always gladly
welcomed visitors from Darwin and was always glad of an opportunity to talk over old days and old ways with
her old friends.
Christina Gordon died at Crump Street, Holland Park, Brisbane, in October 1952, aged 89.
When author Ernestine Hill paid her tribute in The Territory she highlighted the fact that Christina, like so
many Territory pioneers, would have died without her full story ever properly recorded: ‘Of thousands who have
known and loved Mrs Christina Gordon in her many years as proprietress of the Victoria Hotel in Darwin—
and many famous names were written in her visitors’ book—few heard the stories she might tell of a heroine’s life
on Australia’s trails of gold. Regal, gentle and kind, as she listened to all the adventure stories from air, land and
sea, she never told her own. She crossed the continent more than once in a buggy, with her young sons on her knee.
Through later life she was the friend of all Darwin, and, after the war, returned to the ruined seaport with the first
of its faithful, readyto begin again at the age of eighty years. We shall ever remember her Mona Lisa smile.’
C L A Abbott, Australia’s Frontier Province, 1950; E Hill, The Territory, 1951; B James, No Man’s Land, 1989; Darwin’s Hotel Victoria,
1991.
BARBARA JAMES, Vol 2.
GORE, ALFRED DEWHIRST (c1845–1901), storekeeper and journalist, was born in England about 1845, eldest
son of Alfred Gore. He came to Adelaide with his parents in 1863. He was educated at the Adelaide Educational
Institute, later worked at the Bank of South Australia and was posted to Crawler. He then went to Wentworth in the
Riverina district, working for Mr Gunn, one of whose daughters he later married.
In 1872 gold was discovered in the Northern Territory. Alfred Gore (Sr) went into partnership with the
Honourable Thomas Reynolds, a member of the South Australian Parliament. They opened a store in Palmerston.
Alfred Gore (Jr) sailed for the Northern Territory, arriving at the Roper River in the cutter Lucy in March or
April 1872, with the first portion of the new company’s stock. He soon continued to Port Darwin, followed by
his father in the schooner Linn Fern, bringing the bulk of the stock, as well as a ‘wooden church’. He apparently
established the Congregational Church in Port Darwin, which was for some years the only church in the town.
Alfred Sr spent four years in the Northern Territory. The company did a flourishing business for a time, but ‘fever’
was rampant, all the firm’s employees became prostrated with it and no one was in a condition to conduct the
business. The Gores and the Reynolds then apparently had a disagreement, the business was closed, and father and
son left for Adelaide.
Gore later returned to the Northern Territory, trying his hand at many things including journalism. He wrote
letters and articles for the Northern Territory Times and Gazette and was obviously an energetic and enterprising
writer. He travelled over the Northern Territory finding material for his stories, visiting Borroloola and the
McArthur River, and the Barkly Tableland at least. His powers of description were fresh and dramatic, and showed
instances of humour and poetry. As well as describing events, he gave detailed particulars of places and natural
features. He suggested means and ways of improving mail and steamship services, but gave credit where it was
due—for instance: ‘There is a very good vegetable garden cultivated by a Chinaman, who supplies the town and
district with a variety of vegetables and fruit’. Also: ‘There is a good accommodation at Campbell’s Hotel, and
Mr and Mrs Campbell do all they can to make their patrons and friends comfortable’. On the other hand he was
not afraid of criticism where it was needed: ‘Government authorities being endowed with less energy than would
serve to remove a molehill... ’
Gore described the Barkly Tableland and its lack of water. He commented on the ‘half hearted attempt at
artesian well boring’ and predicted that the area would not be used to its fullest extent until water was pumped.
He mentioned troubles with the ‘alligators’ in the McArthur River, and attempts to bait them. Gore had mineral
leases on Barney Creek, near the deposits presently being leased by Mount Isa Mines on the McArthur River.
Gore mentions his brother, Charles Edward Gore, who captained a small lugger from Darwin to Borroloola at
this time in some of his articles. It is probable that the journalist travelled on his brother’s boat to the McArthur
River, even at his brother’s suggestion.
Gore was said to be ‘gifted by Nature somewhat beyond the average, both mentally and physically.’ He was a
noted athlete, at one time being one of the ‘fastest sprinters in Australia’. He could be a ‘most pleasant and amusing
companion—having a vast store of varied information and anecdote, which a fine memory, a fluent tongue, and a