Northern Territory Dictionary of Biography

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VOLUME TWO

Preface

The Northern Territory Dictionary of Biography came from the belief of the well known Darwin historian Peter Spillett

that Northern Territory history, with its distinctive themes of ‘last frontier’, Australian colonialism and the direct impact of

war, warranted a much wider biographical record than could be provided in a national publication such as the Australian

Dictionary of Biography.

The first volume of the Dictionary was published in 1990. Edited by David Carment, Robyn Maynard and Alan

Powell, it spans the period from the early British and French sea explorers of the Northern Territory coast to until the end

of the Second World War. Its preface sets out the origins of the project and the various decisions that had shaped it.

This second volume covers the period from 1945 until the attainment of Northern Territory self-government but

also includes some subjects that could not appear in Volume One. Like the first volume, Volume Two aims to provide

a broad reflection of life in the Territory rather than focusing on eminent public figures. In some cases, this has meant

that subjects are included about whom relatively little is known. Nevertheless, we felt it was better to publish what we

could about them than unjustifiably leave them unrecorded. Authors come from the widest possible cross section of the

community and there is a considerable range of writing styles.

The principal interest of the volume is the Northern Territory. In all cases, the Territory experience of subjects,

however eminent they might have been elsewhere, is the focal point of entries.

Despite the fact that every care has been taken, it is inevitable in a project like this that there will be unfortunate

omissions, errors of fact and odd interpretations. For these the editors, not the authors, take full responsibility. Our

principal hope is that, notwithstanding any such defects, this volume, like the first, will record in an interesting manner

the lives of many persons associated with the Northern Territory who are worthy of remembrance for their good or evil

deeds, their influence, or, quite simply, their fascination as human beings.

DAVID CARMENT and BARBARA JAMES

Acknowledgements

This volume, like the first, is very much the result of combined effort. Members of the Editorial Committee, Baiba

Berzins, Greg Coleman, Jack Haydon, Michael Loos, Robyn Maynard, Eve Gibson, Barbara James and Helen Wilson

worked enormously hard and with real enthusiasm and expertise to bring the project to fruition. The Faculty of Arts

at the Northern Territory University provided logistical support and resources. Special thanks must be given to the

Northern Territory Minister for Education, Hon. Shane Stone, and the Territory Minister for Conservation, Hon. Mike

Reed, for providing, through their departments, generous financial assistance. The Northern Territory Archives Service

awarded the project a History Grant, which came at a crucial time and was much appreciated. John Ritchie and Chris

Cunneen of the Australian Dictionary of Biography at the Australian National University were always helpful and

allowed use of their records. The assistance of the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Adelaide deserves special

acknowledgement. Librarians, archivists and public servants throughout Australia, of whom there are far too many to

name individually, provided enormous assistance. Gratitude must also be expressed to the hard working staff of the

University Printing/Publishing Services and Helen Wilson for her proof reading. Last, but certainly not least, there are

the contributors. They are the real creators of this volume.

DAVID CARMENT

General Editor

VOLUME THREE

The Northern Territory University Press published the Northern Territory Dictionary of Biography’s first two volumes in

1990 and 1992. Their prefaces set out the origins of the project and the various decisions that shaped it.

This, the third volume, has as its focus people whose careers flourished from 1978 until 1990 but it also includes

many lives that belong to an earlier period. The book aims to provide a broad reflection of life in the Territory with

authors and subjects coming from a wide cross section of the community.

The volume is very much the result of combined effort. Members of the Editorial Committee gave it a strong

backing. Special thanks must go to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Hon. Shane Stone, for his invaluable and

sustained support. The Office of the Arts and Cultural Affairs in the Department of the Chief Minister and the Heritage

Conservation Branch in the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, both provided grants that allowed the

project to continue and be published. The Historical Society of the Northern Territory Incorporated ably providing

information on births, deaths and marriages. Librarians, archivists and public servants throughout Australia, of whom

there are far too many to name individually, provided enormous assistance. The Northern Territory University Press

agreed to publish the volume and thanks go to the Press committee members for their patience and support. Last, but

most important, there are the contributors. They are the real creators of this volume.

DAVID CARMENT and HELEN J WILSON