[CDU eNews] - NORTHERN TERRITORY IN THE 1950S : a new book launched today

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

CDU authors look at the last frontier

Fifty years ago, Territorians were probably best characterised as pioneers
battling drought and flooding rains, shooting crocodiles and buffalo.

Hardworking Greek and Chinese communities were also among those laying the
foundations for the economy.

But visionaries of the 1950s were determined to attract white
middle-classes to the Territory - and this formed the basis of the
Territory of today.

This is the view of Dr Julie T Wells and Dr Mickey Dewar, joint editors
with Dr Suzanne Parry of a new book launched today (Thursday) by Charles
Darwin University Press.

The book, entitled Modern Frontier: Aspects of the 1950s in Australia's
Northern Territory, brings together contributions from 12 historians and
researchers, many of whom are past or present academics at Charles Darwin
University.

"There has been no previous scholarship or research specifically on the
1950s in the Territory," the authors assert in their foreword.

"We are accidental Territorians and this has been critical in shaping our
analyses and our understanding of the place. We are the members of the
emergent middle class: the very people visionaries of the 1950s were so
determined to attract to the Territory.

"Our pioneers were the public servants, the teachers and nurses, the
anthropologists and the travellers whose identities derived from the
modern, urban experience and who began their encounter with the Territory
in the 1950s at the Commonwealth's invitation.

"The Northern Territory has a unique place in Australia; its iconic status
as outback and Never Never contrasting oddly with its planned settlement
and public service. The Territory was, in the period, Australia's last
frontier."

CDU Press chairman Professor David Carment, one of the book's contributors,
said: "The book is an important contribution to Northern Territory history
and also to Charles Darwin University's designated area of research focus
in community, development and identity.

"It assists Northern Territory residents understand who they are and the
forces that during a crucial decade helped shape the Territory as we know
it today."

The book was launched today (Thursday) by noted author and journalist
Nicolas Rothwell as part of WordStorm: 2005, the Northern Territory
Writers' Festival.



David Carment is available for interview

Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

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