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Place Names Register Extract

Bowditch Street

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Name Bowditch
Type Designation Street
Place Id 24281
Place Type Road
Status Registered
Date Registered 6 December 2011
Locality / Suburb  
  Muirhead
Local Government Area  
  Darwin City Council
History/Origin Named in commemoration of James (Jim) Bowditch (1919 - 1996). Jim enlisted in 1940 when WWII broke out. He became a Sergeant in the Australian/American Commando "Z" Force, which made incursions against the Japanese when Timor and Indonesia were invaded. Jim was awarded the Bronze Star by the United States, their fourth highest Military Award. He also served in the Middle East as a Rat of Tobruk in Tunisia, where he won the Distinguished Service Medal.

Jim's career as a journalist began in Alice Springs in 1952 as editor of the Centralian Advocate for two years. He then became editor of the NT News in Darwin in 1954. He won the Walkley Award for journalism in 1959 for an article about the Sea Fox, a missing yacht. He is remembered best for his uncompromising stance on social issues as editor of the NT News.

He passed away in Darwin in 1996 and is buried at Thorak Regional Cemetery.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
06/12/2011 Date added to the Register.
14/12/2011 NTG50
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