Batchelor, Northern Territory - History

History

The first inhabitants and traditional owners of the land surrounding the town were the Warrai and Kungarakany indigenous groups.

A site near Rum Jungle was selected for one of two demonstration farms (the other was located at Daly River) established by the Commonwealth to investigate the economic potential of the Northern Territory following the administrative hand over from South Australia in 1911. The farm and an associated railway siding were named in 1912 after Lee Batchelor, the first minister responsible for the Northern Territory who died in office during the previous year. The farm operated until 1919, experimenting with different crops and livestock with varied results. The farm suffered from problems attracting and retaining experienced workers amid the strikes and industrial relations turmoil that led to the Darwin Rebellion. Among the crops successfully produced at the farm were melons, pumpkins and cabbages. From 1919, the farm was used both as a private cattle station and an Aboriginal compound.

A portion of the land formerly used for the demonstration farm was cleared during 1933 for use as a civilian aerodrome. This airfield would be substantially upgraded during World War II, becoming a major base for both Royal Australian Air Force and United States Army Air Forces in the defence of Australia. Units of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force also operated from Batchelor. To support the airbase, the railway siding formerly used by the demonstration farm was extended and a petrol unloading point installed.

Following the discovery of uranium at Rum Jungle by prospector Jack White in 1948, Consolidated Zinc Pty Ltd began mining and processing the uranium on behalf of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission. A subsidiary company named Territory Enterprises Pty Ltd was created to manage the project, and in co-operation with the Commonwealth government constructed much of the present day town from August 1952 onwards, creating housing and amenities for workers on the project. The original design had been based around a permanent population for some 600 persons, but during the years the mine was operating, this number was regularly exceeded.

Processing and extraction of uranium ore at the Rum Jungle mine had ceased by 1971, and the control of the township was handed back to the Northern Territory Administration. The administration would oversee the establishment of new industries beginning in 1974, with the training of Aboriginal teachers aides and classroom assistants for remote schools through the Aboriginal Teacher Education Centre annex of Kormilda College. In 1979, the Northern Territory Government sold many houses in Batchelor to existing residents and encouraged the development of private sector industries, including the Meneling Abattoirs and Woodcutters Mine to establish a permanent population base to ensure the ongoing viability of the town.