The Northern Territory Government is seeking feedback from the community
and interested stakeholders on the proposed upgrade of the Ross Smith Memorial
located in the parklands on the corner of East Point Road and Ross Smith Avenue
in Fannie Bay, Darwin.
Department of Tourism and Culture Heritage Branch Director Michael Wells
said the memorial commemorates a significant part of the Territory’s history
and recently became the 300th place to be added to the NT Heritage
Register.
“The Ross Smith Memorial was originally unveiled on 20 May 1923 to
commemorate a record-breaking flight by aviators Captain Ross Smith, Lieutenant
Keith Smith and mechanics Sergeants Wally Shiers and Jim Bennett,” he said.
“Their safe landing near this site on 10 December 1919 entitled them to a
£10,000 prize offered by the Australian Government for the first Australians to
fly from England to Australia in under 30 days.”
Vice-President of the
Fannie Bay History and Heritage Society Loraine Caldwell said they were
delighted to see the memorial added to the NT Heritage Register.
“December 2019 will be the 100th anniversary of the record breaking flight and the proposed upgrades to the Ross Smith Memorial recognise the importance of this occasion,” she said.
While the stone memorial is in good condition, the concrete slab and low
wall around the memorial are not original and are in poor condition.
The draft design concept includes improvements to the surrounding landscape,
with the materials and design complementing the design of the original
bluestone memorial and reflecting the landmark status of the memorial.
Submissions must be received in writing or online by 22 June 2017. To
view the draft design concept visit www.nt.gov.au/ross-smith-memorial
For more information email heritage@nt.gov.au or phone the Heritage Branch
on 08 8999 5039.
Media contact – Department of Tourism and
Culture Media Manager 0428 052 647
