Government House, Darwin

Government House is the office and official residence of the Administrator of the Northern Territory. Built between 1870 and 1871, with later renovations between 1878 and 1879, the building is set on 13,000 square metres of hillside gardens in the centre of the Darwin business district, on The Esplanade.

Government House
General information
TypeOfficial residence
Architectural styleVictorian Gothic
Coordinates12°28′06″S 130°50′37″E
Current tenantsAdministrator of the Northern Territory
Construction started1870
Completed1871
Renovated1878–1879
Grounds13,000 square metres (3.2 acres)

History

Government House is the oldest European building in the Northern Territory. Government House has been the home of successive Government Residents and Administrators since 1871. The house is an example of a mid-Victorian Gothic villa, here adapted for the local climate by the addition of numerous shaded verandahs and porches. It has endured cyclones, earthquakes, enemy bombing raids, infestations of white ants and rowdy public demonstrations to remain one of the most spectacular and attractive buildings in Darwin.

On 17 December 1918, Government House became the focal point of political turmoil and union unrest against John Gilruth's administration. About 1000 demonstrators marched to Government House where they burnt an effigy of Gilruth and demanded his resignation. The incident became well known as the Darwin Rebellion.[1]

Government House was entered on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate on 14 May 1991 and was added to the Northern Territory Heritage Register on 19 March 1996.[2][3]

See also

References
  1. Alcorta, Frank (1984). Darwin Rebellion 1911-1919. Northern Territory University Planning Authority. ISBN 0-7245-0612-8. OCLC 27546680.
  2. "Government House, Flagpole and Cannon, Esplanade, Darwin, NT, Australia - listing on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate (Place ID 16266)". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment. 14 May 1991. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  3. "Government House". Heritage Register. Northern Territory Government. 19 March 1996. Retrieved 19 May 2019.

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