Place Names Register Extract

Cato River

Extract date: 26/12/2025

Name	Cato River
Type Designation	Stream
Place Id	11622
Place Type	Feature
Status	Registered
Date Registered	17 March 1936
Location (Datum GDA94)
	Latitude: -12° 16' S (Decimal degrees -12.2733)
	Longitude: 136° 21' E (Decimal degrees 136.3521)
Locality / Suburb
	East Arnhem
Local Government Area
	East Arnhem Shire Council
History/Origin	Cato River was named in 1935 by Rev TT Webb of the Methodist Mission at Milingimbi who visited the area in the Maree. Webb wrote in his "Report of exploration in East Arnhem Land" to WW Braitling, Native Affairs NT, Dept of the Interior (AA CRS A1, Item 35/6018) "I therefore respectively request that this river be named the Cato River after the late Mr FJ Cato, a well known Melbourne merchant, whose generous assistance has made it possible for us to establish a new mission station in that portion of Arnhem Land." On 17 March 1936, the Minister for the Interior approved the name "Cato River" (National Archives A1 1935/8195)

Register & Gazettal information

Date	Gazettal	Comment
17/03/1936		Date Minister for the Interior approved name

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

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