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also Catherine was no longer the sole Territory teacher as in January 1900 the South Australian authorities had
appointed Mabel Bell as Headmistress of the Pine Creek District at a salary of 120 Pounds per annum.
In 1901, when the next census was taken, Catherine and William and their son were all residing in Port Darwin,
with William’s occupation listed as gardener. However, William appears to have left the Territory in late April
of that year and there is no evidence that he ever returned, although he and Catherine remained married. Ronald
appears to have remained with Catherine in Port Darwin.
Over the next 10 years, she took an active part in both the educational and social activities of the community.
She was particularly known for her fund raising efforts for the Church of England bazaars of the community in
which she and Mrs Pott used to earn substantial sums for their Bran Pie and Fish Bond stall, most proceeds going
towards the building of a church, which was completed in 1902. Catherine was also known for her foundation and
continuing work on the committee of the Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Society as well as for her entries
in several of the exhibits.
One of her most constant companions appears to have been the widower W G Stretton, who had defended her
reputation so enthusiastically in 1900. One reported incident in 1903, when an inquest was held into the causes
of a fire at the retail premises of Edwin Luxton suggests that she and Stretton were often together. Luxton gave
evidence that they had come to his store at 8.30 p.m., just as he was closing and he had supplied Catherine with the
articles she required and had a whiskey with Stretton.
Another reported incident a few months later indicates that Catherine Pett was regarded as a thoughtful and
humanitarian person who often put others’ needs ahead of her own. The news item told the account of Catherine
often visiting an apparently lonely woman called Hannah Woods who had been ill for some time. When one day
Catherine discovered that Hannah had died in her sleep, the Northern Territory Times and Gazette singled out
Catherine as deserving ‘special mention for her constant kindness and unremitting attention.’
Catherine also continued arranging annual children’s picnics and worked with a group of women to organise
special Christmas street fetes each year, arranging for each child to be given a present by Santa. She was also
credited for organising a highly successful children’s fancy dress ball in honour of His Excellency the Governor
of South Australia, Sir George Le Hunte, when he visited the Territory in June 1905. In December of that year,
when she arranged the usual close of school presentation night, the newspaper described her as a ‘born organiser’
and referred to the beautifully decorated schoolroom and abundance of refreshments. In 1908, she was still being
referred to as ‘that kindly and energetic lady’ who inaugurated the Christmas parties for the children.
Finally, in December 1909 she took a six month holiday in Adelaide, where it was reported that she would
spend time studying ‘the more modern educational methods now in vogue in South Australian State schools.’
Travelling with her were her son Ronald, whom she planned to enrol in a southern school, and Dorothy Stretton.
During her absence, the government appointed Mrs H K Carruth to act in her position in Port Darwin.
Catherine returned in June 1910 on the steamer Guthrie accompanied by her old friend W G Stretton and
Dorothy Stretton. During her trip south she apparently decided to return to South Australia to work and in October
the townspeople gave her a farewell social at the Town Hall. An extract of the newspaper report of the event
indicates the esteem in which she was held: ‘During the years that have flown since its erection many bright and
happy gatherings have taken place in the Palmerston Town Hall in connection with one event and another, but we
do not remember to have witnessed any local function more enthusiastically or numerously attended that the
children’s dance social on Sunday evening last, organised as a farewell demonstration in honour of Mrs C Pett
prior to her departure for Adelaide after 22 years’ residence in the Territory in the responsible position of teacher
in charge of the Palmerston public school.’ It added that the crew and some passengers of Guthrie joined in the
celebrations and the commander of the gunboat Challenger placed the vessel’s ‘fine brass band’ at the disposal of
the committee for the evening. During the evening, Percy Kelsey made a speech and presented Catherine with a
purse of the quite substantial sum of 36 Sovereigns that had been collected from the residents within a few days
of Catherine’s departure.
A group of Chinese children, who were described as being ‘picturesquely garbed’ then presented her with a
farewell address and parting gift on behalf of the Chinese community. The paper reported that ‘Mrs Pett, who was
visibly affected, acknowledged the presentations in a few brief words in which whilst admitting that she had
doubtless often made mistakes, she claimed that she had always tried to do her duty. She had now resided here
for so many years that she regarded Port Darwin as her home and whilst grateful and proud for the farewell
demonstration organized in her honour, she was very sorry indeed at having to leave both the place and the
people.’
Catherine Pett went to Gawler in South Australia where she taught at the Sandy Creek School for another
15 years. When she died in January 1926, she left her estate, sworn in at 1 400 Pounds, to her son Ronald and her
wearing apparel, jewellery and 20 Pounds to her friend Dorothy Mabel Stretton. Her husband, who was apparently
still alive in South Australia, was not mentioned in the will.
Although she had been gone from the Territory for many years, the Northern Territory Times and Gazette and
Northern Standard reported her death in Darwin with ‘much regret’. One resident wrote a letter about the positive
influence she had on the community, recalling that during his first trip to Darwin he had found Catherine Pett ‘in
charge of the school with ninety pupils all well under control and without any assistance. Many of the former
scholars of the deceased lady are the successful businessmen of the Territory today.’
B James, No Man’s Land, 1989; Northern Territory Times and Gazette, 1888–1914; Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory, records;
Northern Territory Archives, correspondence to Minister Controlling the Northern Territory, 1888–1903.
BARBARA JAMES, Vol 2.