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Larrakeyah Barracks, incorporating HMAS Coonawarra, is the main base for the Australian Defence Force in the Northern Territory of Australia, and occupies the headland west of the suburb of Larrakeyah in the capital, Darwin. It was established in 1932–33, with building commencing in earnest in 1934, although many of the oldest structures were built in the early years of World War II.[1]
The name Larrakeyah is a transcription of the name of the Larrakia people, the traditional owners of the site of these barracks and the larger area where Darwin was built.[2]
Geography edit
The base is on a mostly level headland running east–west, some 25 metres above the ocean. Darwin Naval Base is on a lower area on the south side, incorporating some reclaimed land. 12°27′31″S 130°49′18″E / 12.45861°S 130.82167°E
The base is bounded to the east by the suburb of Larrakeyah, to the south by HMAS Coonawarra and the boat harbour on Darwin Harbour, to the west by Emery Point overlooking the approaches to Darwin Harbour, and the north by Cullen Bay.
Heritage edit
A 15ha precinct within the barracks site is listed on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List as the Larrakeyah Barracks Precinct, while the Headquarters Building and Sergeants' Mess are separately listed.[3][4][5]
It is the site of numerous sacred sites for the Larrakia people;[6] Dolly Gurinyi Batcho, who was born there around 1905, before it became the barracks, and she helped identify these sites leading to a successful land rights claim in the 1970s.[7][8]
Units edit
ADF units at Larrakeyah include:
- Northern Command (Australia)
- Regional Force Surveillance Group
- NORFORCE (Headquarters, Darwin, Training Support and Operational Support Squadrons)
- HMAS Coonawarra—base supporting the Royal Australian Navy's patrol boat and small amphibious craft forces
- Elements of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
- Army Watercraft Troop
Notes edit
- ^ "Larrakeyah Barracks Headquarters Building, Fullarton Pl, Larrakeyah, NT, Australia (Place ID 14937)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
- ^ Jobson 2009, p. 104.
- ^ "Larrakeyah Barracks Precinct (Place ID 105251)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Larrakeyah Barracks Headquarters Building (Place ID 105192)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Larrakeyah Barracks Sergeants Mess (Place ID 105193)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ Walsh, Michael (1981). Gundal: A Report on Sites of Significance in the Larrakeyah Barracks - Emery Point Area, Darwin. Aboriginal Sacred Sites Protection Authority.
- ^ "Dolly Batcho: a woman of courage and conviction | Australian War Memorial". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ James, Barbara (15 May 1973). "Tribal grounds re-visited". The Northern Territory News.
References edit
- Jobson, Christopher (2009). Looking Forward, Looking Back: Customs and Traditions of the Australian Army. Wavell Heights, Queensland: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 9780980325164.
External links edit
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