The correct spelling of a popular Darwin building- commonly called Marrenah House - which once accommodated single government typists and then became the police barracks has been called into question. Melbourne journalist Kim Lockwood raised the issue when he referred to Mareenah House in informative items he sent about former Punch editor Malcolm Muggeridge and his (Kim’s) autograph book. We dared to change his copy to read Marrenah House, our understanding of the correct spelling . Kim , an editor and experienced sub editor , was adamant that he was correct, even saying he was prepared to offer odds .
He had lived in the Melbourne Herald residence on the Esplanade, a short distance from the premises in question , from 1946-54 and from l956-60 with his parents and sister ; he had resided there again from 1971-75.
Darwin resident , Kiwi Gayle Carroll, wrote a book about the building with the catchy heading VIRGINS’ RETREAT, and said the spelling of the place had changed throughout its life, the origin of the name open to speculation.She stated that originally MAREENAH had been the accepted spelling and pronunciation. It appears that Kim was correct and we are glad that we had not wagered the Kiwi Kick ( the emergency fund kept under the mattress, or some other hard to find location ) to challenge his assertion.
Author Carroll also wrote that the place had been referred to as Marina Hostel. An anonymous gentleman- known as the Oracle at the NT Genealogical Society – chuckled when consulted , and said there had been a suggestion that the place had been named after Princess Marina of Greece ,who married the Duke of Kent .
With the passage of time , it became known as Marrenah House , sounding like the person in the welcome: “Hello ,sailor.”The matelot sounding version of the name may have been attributed to the fact that when visiting naval ships came to Darwin taxi drivers often delivered eager mariners , some American, to the premises and were promptly told to beat it by management .
There being a shortage of females in Darwin in the l950s, a building filled with damsels was something of a goldmine. Its occupants received a lot of attention, some not legit. A young man found in grass , allegedly peering into the building at night, told court he was actually out looking for a rare moth which only came out in the dark. Journalist /author Keith Willey made great use of this mothy episode in print and anecdotes years after the event. The place lost its allure when it became barracks for male police officers.
