With a prodigious knowledge of the Northern Territory's early history , its public service over more than half a century , full of fabulous anecdotes , a relentless researcher , Vern O'Brien is a true North Australian treasure . Now he lies enfeebled in palliative care in Darwin .
Vern is on the extreme right of this photograph at the unveiling of a cemetery plaque at Stapleton , south of Darwin , with information about people buried there , the research for it carried out by him . Closely involved with the Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory (GSNT), where he was its researcher and cemetery coordinator , he was a regular face there in his so called retirement and when prevented from driving there because of his health , caught the bus .
Many of his research books , which survived Cyclone Tracy , are in the GSNT library where Ms June Tomlinson , in the above photograph, is the secretary .
Many of his research books , which survived Cyclone Tracy , are in the GSNT library where Ms June Tomlinson , in the above photograph, is the secretary .
One of four young surveyors, he came to the Territory and worked in the Lands Department. His contribution to the Territory in so many areas has been massive ; his wife Jacqueline has been deeply involved in researching and gathering artefacts for the Darwin Nursing Museum , Charles Darwin University .
In 1949, when Vern was on leave from the Territory with another longtime Darwin identity , Creed Lovegrove, the two described in recent years as Territory elder statesmen , attended a performance of Sumner Locke Elliott's play , Rusty Bugles , based on the playwright's experiences in the Northern Territory Army camp at Mataranka , which was censored in New South Wales because of the "bad" language .
In 1949, when Vern was on leave from the Territory with another longtime Darwin identity , Creed Lovegrove, the two described in recent years as Territory elder statesmen , attended a performance of Sumner Locke Elliott's play , Rusty Bugles , based on the playwright's experiences in the Northern Territory Army camp at Mataranka , which was censored in New South Wales because of the "bad" language .
Vern commented the language did not seem unusual for the Northern Territory . He and Creed also went ice skating in Melbourne and there is supposed to be a photograph of that event somewhere in Darwin .
During the war Communist author Frank Hardy also served at Mataranka where he contributed to the subversive Troppo Tribune with wild yarns and jokes . Sumner Locke Elliott went to America after the war and was successful in television drama production ; he came back to Australia , with an American accent , when his autobiographical book , Water Under the (Sydney Harbour ) Bridge , was made into a television series .
Melbourne journalist Kim Lockwood, who spent time in the Territory , today described Vern O'Brien as a walking encyclopedia who had provided him with helpful information .
During the war Communist author Frank Hardy also served at Mataranka where he contributed to the subversive Troppo Tribune with wild yarns and jokes . Sumner Locke Elliott went to America after the war and was successful in television drama production ; he came back to Australia , with an American accent , when his autobiographical book , Water Under the (Sydney Harbour ) Bridge , was made into a television series .
Melbourne journalist Kim Lockwood, who spent time in the Territory , today described Vern O'Brien as a walking encyclopedia who had provided him with helpful information .
