Place Names Register Extract

McGrath Street

Extract date: 29/03/2024

Name McGrath
Type Designation Street
Place Id 23853
Place Type Road
Status Registered
Date Registered 17 September 2010
Locality / Suburb  
  Bellamack
Local Government Area  
  Palmerston City Council
History/Origin After Father John McGrath, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and Coast Watcher Bathurst Island.

On 19 February 1942, Japanese aircraft shot a RAAF DC3 on the Bathurst Island Mission airstrip. The aircraft was stranded due to engine trouble. During the shooting, stray bullets hit the Church and wireless room. At this time, Father McGrath gave the unheeded warning to Darwin that enemy planes were enroute to Darwin.

Father McGrath remained on Bathurst Island with the Tiwi People for the duration of WWII. He died in 1982.

The theme, Top End Catholic Priests and Religious, was selected through consultation with Larrakia Development Corporation.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
17/09/2010 Date added to the Register
29/09/2010 NTG 39
25/04/2012 NTG 17 Extension

The Northern Territory Gazetteer is maintained by the Place Names Section,
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.
GPO Box 1680, Darwin NT 0801. Ph 08 8995 5333.
place.names@nt.gov.au

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