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Emungalan Cemetery
Permanent Declaration
Place
Emungalan Cemetery contains only four known graves. Three of these are marked with a simple wooden stake; however no information is given as to which graves belong to whom. A photo dating from c.1970s shows that there were once four wooden grave markers.

A metal sign provides the names and approximate date of death of the people buried there. A metal piping fence surrounds the graves and covers an area approximately 12.9 x 4.2 metres. The fence was erected in 1994 by local resident Wally Christie and members of the Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade.

The Graves Belong To:

Michael Kennedy
Kennedy was 55 years old at the time of his death on 4 th April 1919. He is recorded as having been 5'8¿ tall, of medium build with a sallow complexion, grey eyes, and hair turning grey. He died as a result of falling from a horse, drunk, between Two Mile Creek and Emungalan on the 1 st April 1919. He was not killed instantly, and despite ¿every assistance from the Public¿, died three days later.

Jerry (or Gerry) Buckley
Buckley, who was approximately 45 years old when he died, is recorded as having been 5'10' tall, slender build, sharp features, ordinary nose, grey eyes, black hair turning grey, and moustache turning grey. He died of natural causes on 26 th November 1924.

Miss Madge Thorne (or Thor or Thau)
Miss Thorne (or Thor) ran the Guest House at Hight Level Camp on the railway line at Emungalan. She had been experiencing bad health and in 1922 she fell quite ill. Miss Thorne made the decision to take the next train to Darwin for medical attention, however she died before the train arrived at Emungalan. Miss Thorne was found dead in her bed and is said to have died peacefully. She was aged approximately 40 years old at the time of her death.

Chinese Baby
The only information relating to the baby is that it died in 1920, aged 2 weeks. There is no indication as to the baby's identity; however there is some suggestion that the baby's parents owned a store in Emungalan. There is no available information regarding the cause of death. An unverifiable note in the Emungalan Cemetery file at the Northern Territory Genealogical Society office suggests that the baby is buried in the upper left hand grave.
The Emungalan Cemetery is of heritage significance to the Territory as the resting-place for four people who died in or near the town of Emungalan between 1919 and 1924. Between 1917 and 1926, Emungalan was an important district centre and the terminus for the Northern Territory Railway and, despite its short life, played a fundamental role in the development of the Territory.

The cemetery is also of heritage significance as one of only two physical reminders of the existence of this temporary town. The simplicity of the cemetery reflects the rudimentary nature of a frontier town, and is a reminder of the harsh and basic conditions that epitomised the lifestyle of many Territorians during the early days of the Territory's development.
22/10/2001
09/04/2002
Comment sought
08/08/2003
27/08/2003
HAC2001/0348
Historic
Further Reading
Katherine Historical Society, 1998 The Three Towns of Katherine , Katherine

Katherine Historical Society, 1998 Graves Under The Stars 1900's , Katherine

Katherine Historical Society, 1999 Emungalan The Place of Stone 1917-1926 , Katherine

NTRS 1060/P1 1 Mortuary Book 1887-1941
NTRS 1060/P1 1 Mortuary Book 1887-1941
NTRS 1060/P1 1 Mortuary Book 1887-1941

Times and Gazette Tuesday 2nd May 1922
Photo
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewEmungalanCemetery 04012016_LR1.JPGIdentification signage along the bike path to the east of the cemetery site26/JUL/21
ViewEmungalanCemetery 04012016_LR2.JPGCemetery site defined by a concrete kerb and steel fence. A shade shelter is provided outside the cemetery to the west26/JUL/21
ViewEmungalanCemetery 04012016_LR3.JPGShelter at the site. The cemetery is on the right26/JUL/21
ViewEmungalanCemetery 04012016_LR4.JPGInterpretative signage at the site26/JUL/21
1 - 4
Scan
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewInstrument.pdf - 11/FEB/09
1 - 1
Further Information
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewEmungalan Cemetery.pdfBackground Historical Information30/MAR/11
1 - 1
Approximate Location
   
LAIS KeyStreet NumberStreet NameSuburbLocation CodeLot NumberLTO PlanPartTenure
425 02976 0 COSSACK4252976 - - G
1 - 1
Status Explanations
   

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object