Place Names Register Extract
Hamaura Road
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View in NT Atlas | Print Extract | Search Again| Name | Hamaura |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Road |
| Place Id | 6378 |
| Place Type | Road |
| Status | Registered |
| Date Registered | 18 September 1996 |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| East Arm | |
| Local Government Area | |
| History/Origin | Named after Charley Hamaura. Charley Hamaura, better known as 'Japanese Charlie', was a pioneering figure in the Northern Territory's pearling industry during the late 19th century. Arriving in the region years before the turn of the century, he played a significant role in the expansion of the pearling trade, not only as a pearl boat operator but also as a respected businessman and community figure. Hamaura was one of the early Japanese entrants into the industry and was instrumental in introducing Japanese divers to Northern Australia. He personally facilitated the arrival of skilled divers to work on his own pearling luggers, including The Cleopatra and The Esau. His expertise in pearling was extensive - before establishing himself in Darwin, he had worked as a diver on the northwest coast of Western Australia, where he earned a reputation as one of the smartest divers in the trade. Beyond his contributions to pearling, Hamaura was an active member of Darwin?s community, a rare position for a non-European at the time. The pearling boom in the 1890s coincided with the revival of sailing regattas, and Hamaura became a well-known figure in the sporting scene. He was a regular competitor in lugger races and served on the regatta committee in 1898. His involvement extended beyond sport - he was widely recognised for his generosity and willingness to support public initiatives, from sponsoring sporting events to assisting those in distress. Despite being classified as an 'alien' under the racial distinctions of the era, Hamaura was highly regarded by his peers. His contributions to the pearling industry and local community earned him a level of respect and recognition unusual for a non-European at the time. When he departed Darwin in 1900 for Manila, taking The Cleopatra and The Esau with him, his departure was marked with favourable acknowledgements in the press. He was described as a 'public-spirited citizen' whose loss would be felt keenly in the local industry. Hamaura's daughter Sohei Hamaura, who died aged 7 months on 8 February 1893 is buried in the Palmerston Cemetery at Parap. Source: News and Notes. (1900, October 26). Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873 - 1927), p. 2. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4271989 |
Register & Gazettal information
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 18/09/1996 | NTG38 | |
| 14/07/1999 | NTG27 | Extension |
| 20/09/2000 | NTG37 | Extension |