Place Names Register Extract
Kundook Place
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View in NT Atlas | Print Extract | Search Again| Name | Kundook |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Place |
| Place Id | 22641 |
| Place Type | Road |
| Status | Registered |
| Date Registered | 14 September 2007 |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| Howard Springs | |
| Local Government Area | |
| Litchfield Council | |
| History/Origin | Kundook Place is named in honour of Larrakia man Sam Kundook, who together with his wife, Silver, were employed at Government House in Darwin for many years. In his 1942-1943 Annual Report, the Administrator, Aubrey Abbott, described Sam's actions during the first Japanese bombing raid on Darwin as "a most extraordinary case of devotion to duty by a native". At the time of the raid on 19 February 1942, Sam and Silver were on their walkabout near Cape Don at the top of the Coburg Peninsula. With no local transport available and the Wet season flooding rivers and swamps, they decided to make the arduous journey back on foot. Their route took them to the Oenpelli Mission, where they rested for several days. From there, they skirted the edge of the Arnhem Land Reserve, passed around the head of Deaf Adder Creek, and then turned west "into sundown". During the journey, Sam suffered a serious misfortune - he nearly lost his sight. Despite this, Silver led him with a long stick, walking ahead while Sam followed behind holding onto it. They swam flooded rivers together, and Silver provided for them both by fishing and hunting. After covering an estimated distance of over 400 miles (approximately 640 kilometres), they finally reached an area south of the Adelaide River railway station. From there, Sam sent word to the Administrator, indicating he was ready to return to work. Due to the ongoing war, Government House operations were relocated to Alice Springs, and Sam and Silver were transported there to reunite with the Administrator and other staff. By March 1944, Sam had almost fully recovered his eyesight and was able to continue his duties. Sources: Rozenzweig, Paul A.. (1996) The house of seven gables. Historical Society of the Northern Territory, Darwin (NT). Retrieved 2025, October 7, from https://hdl.handle.net/10070/931191. Duty Called To Sam Kundook (1944, July 18). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved October 8, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231692595 (1945). Personal photographs of the Hon. C L A Abbott during his term as Administrator of the Northern Territory - Government House, Darwin and Government House staff - a dark-skinned man - Sam Kundook, houseboy. url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/231128069 | access-date=8 October 2025 |
Register & Gazettal information
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 14/09/2007 | Registered | |
| 03/10/2007 | NTG 40 |