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mobilise support for an enquiry into the Lindy Chamberlain conviction. After the closure of the Advertiser and
Star, Bowditch contributed feature articles to the Northern Territory News on Territory personalities. He retired
from journalism in 1988.
During a journalistic career spanning over 30 years Bowditch’s ability as a writer won him two coveted
Walkley awards for excellence. However, the awards were an incidental bonus to a legacy of reform to which
few editors or journalists could aspire. Bowditch mellowed from the larrikin who once landed in the rose bushes
outside the home of Darwin Mayor John (‘Tiger’) Lyons following an altercation over a local garbage workers’
strike. He eventually retired and completed a book on the Territory. One of his four children became a successful
journalist.
Advertiser, Darwin; Centralian Advocate; Northern Territory News; Star, Darwin; interviews.
RHONDA JOLLY, Vol 2.BOWIE, SYDNEY JAMES (SYD) (1914– ), tailor’s assistant, butcher’s assistant, soldier and policeman, was
born on 21 June 1914, of English parents. His father James Bowie died in Lithgow, New South Wales when his
son was about four years old. His mother, May Maud Bowie (nee Mason), then aged about 38 years, left her
dressmaking/clothing shop in Lithgow, New South Wales, and took young Sydney to Longreach in Queensland,
where she had a sister living. The Bowies lived in a room behind another shop in Longreach, until it was razed by
fire in about 1921. Mrs Bowie began employment with a department store in the town, where she continued until
about 1939.
The young Syd loved sports during his school days, and was reputed to be very good at gymnastics, cricket and
football. He left primary school in about 1929 and began working in a tailor shop, then for a butcher, cutting and
carting ice around Longreach. His expert horsemanship began at this time, as he helped the butcher round up and
yard the cattle for slaughtering. He also excelled in the breaking in of horses during this period, and this became
an asset during his years on ‘bush stations’ in the Territory.
His need for a secure job prompted him to join the militia with the local lads. With the threat of war the group
had decided to be on the first contingent overseas, should the need arise. While Syd was in one of the militia camps
in Townsville he received a favourable reply to his application to join the Northern Territory police. He made the
choice to leave the military and try the life in the Territory.
A good drink of water, (recommended by the doctor), brought the fit, young, wiry youth up to weight and
he was accepted into the Northern Territory Police Force. A flying boat brought Syd Bowie to Darwin on
12 September 1939. He did not have any preconceived ideas of what the town would be like; luckily he thought it
was terrific. He loved it—and was to stay for over 30 years.
His introduction to the Northern Territory Police Force, (which consisted of about 40 men at that time), was
to be handed a pile of legislation, be sworn in, and then sent down to the local Chinese tailor to be measured for a
uniform. There was no official training period, ‘out with a senior member (anyone who had more service than you)’
and it was ‘by the seat of the pants training, on the job’.
He married Lucy Ellen Beard in Darwin on 26 July 1940, and they had three children (Colin James,
born 20 April 1941, Elaine Ellen born 30 July 1943 and Brian David born 3 April 1947).
Constable Bowie worked around the Darwin station until about February 1941 when he served on relieving
duty at the Parap station, on the corner of the Stuart Highway and Parap Road in Darwin, for about three months.
In February 1942 when the Japanese bombed Darwin, he was back in the Darwin station and instructed to drive
the Administrator’s wife, Mrs Abbott, with her luggage, down to Alice Springs. He was refused permission to
return to Darwin, so stayed in Alice Springs until mid-year and then transferred to Newcastle Waters and later the
Rankine River.
It was while Bowie was stationed at Rankine River, in 1943, that he and Clive Graham, later to become
Commissioner, from Anthony’s Lagoon, ventured on what was later named ‘the Nicholson Patrol’. This patrol for
cattle duffers took about 11 weeks and they covered over a thousand kilometres around the Gulf Country finally
taking two prisoners to Alice Springs for trial.
With his thirst for knowledge Syd studied and progressed through the ranks. He was promoted to Sergeant in
October 1947, First Class Sergeant in April 1954, Inspector in September 1956 and Inspector (Administrative) in
April 1959.
During his Police service he worked hard for better conditions for members of the force. He became involved
with other constables in forming a Police Association in 1942, and some 15 years later, in 1967, the Officers
Association. He was also partly instrumental in the formation and support of the Police and Citizens Youth Club.
His expertise in gymnastics came to the fore with the coaching of the Darwin youngsters.
During the 1950’s Bowie drafted Standing Orders and Circulars as guidelines for new (and old) constables.
It was about 1959 when the first recruit training courses of about eight weeks commenced. Although he preferred
the outdoor work of the Police Force, Bowie became efficient in the paperwork side.
From the time of his promotion to commissioned rank in 1956 he became involved in the planning and installation
of the radio network throughout the Territory. It eventually became operative in 1959/1961, connecting Darwin
with Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. Connections to ‘bush stations’ followed later. Communications
continued to improve and in about 1966 the Territory was connected by telexes throughout the Territory as well
as interstate.
In 1962 he became a Chief Inspector when Clive Graham was promoted to Deputy Commissioner from
Superintendent. (The Administrator held the rank of Commissioner of Police until 1964 when Clive Graham became