Extract date: 11/09/2025
| Name | Butler |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Place |
| Place Id | 5478 |
| Place Type | Road |
| Status | Registered |
| Date Registered | 11 October 1995 |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| Holtze | |
| Local Government Area | |
| Litchfield Council | |
| History/Origin | Named after Richard (Dick) BUTLER who was born in 1908 in Katherine to a Jawoyn Aboriginal mother and a European father and raised at the Kahlin Compound in Darwin. During World War II he served with the rank of Gunner in the Darwin Mobile Force. He and the other Aboriginals formed a band of coastwatchers stationed at Peewee Camp, East Point called the "Australian Black Watch". He narrowly escaped death during the first Japanese raid on Darwin in 1942. After the War he served with the 7th Military District in Darwin and was the first soldier to earn the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal for service completely in the 7th Military District. From 1961 to 1978 he was employed by Parks and Gardens as Head Gardener at Government House during the term of 5 Administrators. He helped establish the East Point Military Museum. Richard Butler died on 24 August 1987 in Darwin and was buried next to his wife Louisa (nee Spain) who was killed in Cyclone Tracy in 1974. On the way to the funeral, the cortege passed Government House as a fitting tribute to a man who had spent many years making the lush tropical garden there and had served the Army and the Territory well. and Lionel BUTLER (1935-2003) who was born in Darwin, the second son of Dick and Louisa. Lionel was evacuated in 1942 aged 6 with his mother and siblings to Townsville returning in 1948. A great sports identity, Lionel played football for Darwin Buffaloes in the 1950s winning three consecutive club best and fairest awards. But his sporting talents were considered to be in League and as well as playing for Nightcliff (NT) he also enjoyed stints in New South Wales with Maitland and Balmain. |
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 11/10/1995 | NTG41 |