SPEECH BY
HER HONOUR THE HONOURABLE SALLY THOMAS AC
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
ON THE OCCASION OF THE
Reception in appreciation of National Trust volunteers
Government House
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Ladies and gentlemen it is with great pleasure that Duncan and I
welcome you to Government House this evening.
I begin by acknowledging the Larrakia people, traditional owners
of the land on which this historic house stands.
As proud Patron of the National Trust of Australia – Northern
Territory I am delighted to have this opportunity to show my
appreciation for the National Trust volunteers. You are a
wonderful group of people who give generously of your time to
preserve and maintain the heritage of the Northern Territory.
It is very fitting that today we are sharing this reception at the
historic Government House. Not only is Government House a
symbol of the foundation of the Northern Territory, but the
Drawing Room is also the oldest known European-style structure
in Darwin.
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It was very much appreciated to again have the assistance of
National Trust volunteers at last month’s Government House
Open Day. Each room of this house has a tale to tell, and it is the
National Trust volunteers that help share these stories with
visitors to Government House, year after year. There is so much
history to impart, from the Queen’s Bedroom where Her Majesty
the Queen stayed in 1982, to the Prince of Wales Room named
after the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of
Wales in 1988 and the beautifully furnished Dining Room that
has hosted a number of dignitaries over the years.
In addition to this, so many visitors on Open Day appreciated the
tea and scones that your volunteers served on the Terrace
throughout the afternoon. I thank you for your efforts in making
Open Day a success.
In speaking of this year’s Open Day I take a moment to reflect on
two of our valued National Trust volunteers who have
unfortunately passed away since last year. Jean Vickery and
Christine Nathanael were both dedicated Government House
Open Day volunteers.
Jean Vickery was a long term Territorian who passed away at the
age of 90. She spent her life post World War II in Darwin, so
witnessed many changes to the city. Jean worked tirelessly to
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conserve the heritage of the Northern Territory and enjoyed being
part of Open Days. I’m told she didn’t miss many. Jean was
known for her enthusiasm and infectious, bubbly personality.
Christine Nathanael was a regular National Trust volunteer for
over 20 years. She was always found in the Dining Room on
Open Day and loved Government House. Christine was a wealth
of knowledge, in particular about the Dining Room and the
Queen’s Bedroom. Her talent as a quilter was on display on four
of the five quilts hanging on the Eastern Verandah at this year’s
Open Day. Christine was known for her quiet and knowledgeable
manner.
Jean and Christine will both be missed very much.
Since its establishment in 1976, the National Trust has been
active in the community, working hard to manage a number of
historic properties across the Northern Territory and to maintain
archives and reference materials relating to our heritage. National
Trust’s efforts to raise public awareness of history and to lobby
the government about heritage issues are commendable.
There are so many places of historic interest across the Northern
Territory that it would be impossible to manage without the
generosity of volunteers. You do so much for our unique
Northern Territory heritage–– sharing it with the community and
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preserving it for future generations by performing a number of
valuable roles. You volunteer your time to research, set up
displays, assist in the upkeep of many historic properties, guide
heritage walks, help with fundraising and much more.
I feel I must mention two wonderful trips I was privileged to
participate in. They were the “Humpty Doo Rice Trail” during
Heritage Week and, just recently on the 9th of September, the
boat trip to Talc Head to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the
arrival of the Beagle in Darwin Harbour.
I thank you all for your continual efforts and know the history of
the Northern Territory is very safe in your hands.
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