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Roads, however, were his real enthusiasm, and certainly they were needed, for the state of the Territory’s roads
was legendary. He oversaw the construction of 2 500 kilometres of new bitumen-sealed roads, including beef roads,
5 000 linear metres of bridges and upgrading of the Barkly and Stuart Highways. No desk-bound bureaucrat, his
tall (193 centimetres) well-built figure became familiar striding around construction sites throughout the Territory.
It was a matter of no small pride when, in 1979, the new causeway at Newcastle Waters, embodying 18.4 kilometres
of road and three bridges was named the George Redmond Crossing. Even earlier recognition of his services came
when, in 1970, he was made a Companion of the Imperial Service Order (ISO).
Cyclone Tracy, which devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974, presented Redmond with his ultimate
challenge. Neither he nor his department were unprepared, for a comprehensive cyclone disaster plan had existed
for some years, and parts of it had been reviewed shortly before Tracy. As a result, Redmond and his men were out
at first light on 25 December, and by nightfall main access streets had been cleared sufficiently to permit traffic,
while at the hospital emergency repairs had been made, water restored and two generators had been installed.
That day set the pattern for what was to be Redmond’s role: the rehabilitation of Darwin.
Over the next six months he co-ordinated and oversaw the more than 3 000 men, many from interstate,
who restored the city to some semblance of normality. Essential public buildings and more than 4 000 dwellings
were weather proofed, water and electrical services were restored to meet demand and all streets and most
allotments were cleared of debris. The fact that by 30 June 1975 some 30 000 people could be adequately, if not
always comfortably, housed, both at home and at work, was proof of his department’s success. The task was
not made easier, either personally or professionally, by the virtual exclusion of the Department of Housing and
Construction from the planning and operations undertaken by the Darwin Reconstruction Commission. In addition,
Redmond was responsible for the normal planning and construction of public works in the Territory at large.
For the whole of his sojourn in Darwin Redmond was deeply involved in town planning for the Territory as a
whole; from 1967 to 1977 he was Chairman of the Town Planning Board. He also served on the Planning Advisory
Committee of the Darwin Community College, and from June 1971 to December 1973 was a member of its Interim
Council. A keen golfer and even keener fisherman, he contributed much to both sports and was an active member
of Rotary.
In July 1977, he returned to Canberra as Director Operations in the Central office of the Department of
Construction, and on 29 September 1978, he retired, having reached age 65.
Northern Territory Archives Service, oral history interviews; personal information.
F H BAUER, Vol 3.REID, JOHN WARD (?–?), seaman, hotelkeeper and shady character of the Borroloola district, was known as
‘Blackjack’ to everyone other than the courts. Reid was involved in ‘blackbirding’ for Queensland sugar planters.
His schooner was named, aptly, Smuggler. After government authority confiscated the boat, Reid had another boat
built. This was christened Good Intent, which suggests that he may have had a sense of humour.
Reid first shipped goods into Borroloola in the Good Intent in 1884, without paying duty upon them.
Unfortunately, for Reid, Alfred Searcy, the customs inspector, arrived unexpectedly, and forced William Hay,
who purchased the ‘duty-free’ goods, to pay the duty. Searcy impounded the vessel and towed it back to Palmerston
also taking Reid and his wife Henrietta for sentencing.
A year later Reid and his wife were back in Borroloola operating the Royal Hotel. It seems that Reid had the
idea of supplying passing drovers and overlanders with liquor and general stores and thus making his fortune.
In October 1886 the Borroloola police station was moved into the Royal Hotel, until the completion of the new
police station in 1887. By November, Reid had sold the Royal. His later movements are unknown.
Blackjack and Henrietta are remembered today by Reids Rocks near the junction of the McArthur and
Carrington rivers.
J Whitaker, Borroloola, 1985.
JUDITH WHITAKER, Vol 1.REYNOLDS, THOMAS (1817–1875), grocer and politician, was born in England and brought up by an uncle
as a grocer. He immigrated to South Australia in 1840, opened a grocer’s shop and later was one of the first
jam-makers and establishers of sultana grapes and the dried fruit industry. He married a Miss Litchfield, sister of
Mr F B Litchfield, the stationmaster at Salisbury.
In 1854, Reynolds was elected Alderman of the Adelaide City Council and, shortly after, a member of the
Legislative Council. He was active in politics from then until 1873, occupying several senior posts including
Commissioner of Public Works, 1857–58; Premier and Treasurer, 1860–61; Treasurer for varying periods between
1861 and 1868; and Commissioner for Crown Lands (which included Northern Territory matters) in the Ayers
ministry, 1872–73.
In early 1873, Reynolds visited Java, Macassar and Singapore to explore the possibility of importing Chinese
coolies to work in the Territory’s mines. On the return journey, he spent 66 days in the Territory, making a thorough
investigation of the affairs of the colony. He authorised some bridgework on the road to the mines and completion
of a jetty at Port Darwin, settled many grievances and restored some order to government affairs. He found many
of the public service staff, including Bloomfield Douglas, the Government Resident, more interested in their
mines than their duties and could not ascertain the costs of anything from official records, or how the staff had
been employed. In a full report, he recommended that the entire control of the Territory be vested in one local
responsible head, that an experienced secretary be appointed, and that Douglas be replaced.