Katherine 2003: Unveiling a Northern Territory Icon

On Sunday 8th June 2003, the ABC TV programme Landline broadcast to a national audience the story of The Katherine Icon from inception to unveiling. The response was enormous. As the significance of this tribute to our heritage and commitment to the future of rural Australia gains momentum, our statue will inevitably become a much-loved national treasure.

Terry Underwood, Ambassador for 2002 – Australia’s Year of the Outback, initiated the Katherine Icon project. The awesome one and a half times life size bronze stockman on horseback was made possible by the generosity of eighty six sponsors, including overseas donors, all of whom are acknowledged at the base of the statue.

On Friday 4 th April 2003, all roads led to Katherine. Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Clare Martin, warmly welcomed the thousands gathered for the official unveiling of the Katherine Icon. The Hon Tim Fischer, former Trade Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Special Envoy for the Adelaide-Darwin Railway, unveiled the awesome memorial.

Against a backdrop of road trains, Brahman cattle, helicopters and excited participants, there was a heave of hessian and three hearty cheers. The brilliant work of sculptor Archie St Clair was acknowledged by one and all.

Twenty-two stockmen and stockwomen flanked the statue in a guard of honour. As the helicopters executed a fly over with the missing man manoeuvre – the aviation salute to a fallen comrade – all on horseback doffed their hats to Sabu and all who have gone on ahead to keep the heavenly camp fires burning.

It was an historical and spine tingling celebration. Now in the heart of our nation stands an eternal tribute to those courageous pioneers who opened up this land and all who faithfully follow the trails they blazed.


Terry Underwood's speech at the unveiling of the Katherine Icon

Good afternoon Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Clare Martin, the Honorable Tim Fischer, the Hon Denis Burke, Your Worship Mayor Jim Forscutt, Lord Vestey and William, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls.

My name is Terry Underwood and it has been my joy to drive this project.

It has never been more important than NOW, in this time of terror, fear, uncertainty and war, to pause, reflect, and pay tribute to the endurance of this land and its people. How privileged we are in this magnificent country to have the land as our livelihood, family and friends as companions and faith and love as our tools.

On this day that will live in our hearts forever, I have received apologies from people too numerous to mention. However I am going to share with you two messages:

The first is from the Hon John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia:

“As we reflect upon the Year of the Outback when that celebrated pioneering spirit of resilience and stoicism was being tested by the ravages of drought and fire, it is fitting that the Katherine Icon will forever recognise the invaluable contribution by rural and regional communities to Australia’s national identity.”

The second message is from John Vestey in Italy:

“There can surely be no more appropriate way to recognise, to remember in perpetuity, the Stockmen who played such an important, indeed vital, role in the history of the Northern Territory.

It was my privilege to have worked with them, both in Qld and the NT, over the years 1950 – 1956. Their humour, friendship and accomplishment as horsemen and cattlemen, which they willingly shared with me, have remained and will remain, one of the greatest experiences of my life. I owe them a debt which no contribution of mine can ever repay.” End of quote.

Ladies and gentlemen, the stockman on horseback has been part of our heritage and psyche forever. The Katherine Icon has been an intense part of my mind, heart and soul for the past few years.

Two things triggered this project. In February 2000, I responded to an Icon competition in the Katherine Times by passionately writing the reasons why an icon in Katherine could only be a stockman on horseback.

Subsequently the editor Vince Fardone challenged me to make it happen.

I was already involved with plans for the forthcoming 2002 – Australia’s Year of the Outback. So as an Ambassador, it seemed I had the perfect project. When I offered my dream to my industry body, the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, the agreement was unanimous and the President of the day remarked: “Well, Terry, there’s another little job for you.”

I did not have to search for a role model. There was one obvious person, one who beyond dispute qualified in a variety of ways. With the blessing of Dorothy and family, I announced that Sabu Peter Sing was the role model for the Katherine Icon. A gentle humble man, he was our mate. He rode beside my husband John and many of you gathered here today. Sabu’s outstanding skills as bushman, horseman, stockman and cattleman were widely recognised and acclaimed. Born of the Wardaman tribe, Sabu epitomised different races and cultures. At Wave Hill Station, he met his match and in 1970 Dorothy became his wife and soul mate. Tragically killed in 1993, Sabu’s spirit lives on through his children Samantha, Gregory, Lionel and Damien. And now through Sabu, the chosen representative of all people – blackfella, whitefella, yellafella – our history and heritage will be immortalised. We are all inextricably linked.

This ambitious project for the Year of the Outback would not have been possible without the generosity of 86 Sponsors.

On this historic occasion, it is fitting that I name them all and I will just name them, as other associated details are on the plaques at the base of the statue, available for viewing shortly.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

• The Australian Agricultural Company
• Consolidated Pastoral Company Newcastle Waters NT
• Katherine Town Council
• Lord Vesty
• Paris Constantinides – Pump N Power
• Stanbroke Pastoral Company

GOLD SPONSORS

• The Noel Buntine Family
• Garry and Barb Dann and Family
• The Dyer Family
• ELANCO Animal Health
• Heytesbury Beef
• Milton Jones
• Ian, Kay, Sam and Fiona McBean
• Jean McGill and Family
• Proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government
• Road Trains of Australia Pty Ltd Katherine NT
• Rosewood Station
• John, Terry, Marie, Patrick, Michael, Rebecca Underwood, Riveren.

SILVER SPONSORS

• Access Electronics
• Allan, Ros, Nathan, Marcus and Simone Andrews
• NT Branch of the Australian Brahman Breeders Association
• JW Beebe
• Scott and Virginia Benton
• Jock Bremner
• Tony and Sue Clark and Family
• Shaun, Toni, Ben, Megan and Shannon Coutts
• Tony and Pam Davis
• Rod, Gloria (dec), Michelle and Felicity Downes
• Jim Downes and Jenny Robbie
• Elders Ltd
• Elsey Station
• Steve Ellison and Family
• Judy and Tim Fischer
• Lloyd and Camille Fogarty
• Heli-Muster (NT) P/L
• Hodgson River Station
• Kevin Hickey and Family
• Katherine School of the Air
• 2002 – Katherine Outback Ball
• JD and TJ Lugg
• Mick and Edna Moloney
• Newmarch Family
• Paspaley Pearls Pty Ltd
• Ingrid and Phlip Phillips AM
• Basil Quilty
• Dorothy Sing, Samantha, Gregory, Lionel, Damien
• Quilty and Wreford Families
• Richard and Jean A. Sallis
• John Tilley
• Roy and Frances Townsend
• Henry and Maria Townsend
• Underwood Family Bunda Station
• VB For A Hard Earned Thirst
• John Vestey
• Brian and Christine Kelly and Peter Walkington
• Knotts Crossing Resort
• Wardaman Aboriginal Corporation
• Wesfarmers Landmark Katherine and Darwin
• Westaway Family
• Westpac Regional Banking
• John White

OTHERS SPONSORS

• Australian Fuel Distributors Proudly Fuelling Our Territory
• Tim Baldwin MLA Member for Daly
• Elders Insurance
• Roland Good – for Tim Clancy
• Maxine and Dick David
• Donnelly Family
• 4 SEASONS PRO – 90
• Allan and June Gordon
• Mrs Edith Harler
• Paul and Debbie Herrod and Family
• Chrissie, Daniel, Angus and Georgia Holt
• Bob Lee
• Madeline Helen Lipzker
• Mrs Katie Low and girls
• Meg and Stuart Maclean
• John and Kerry Mackay
• Jenny and Tony Maddern
• Squadron Leader John Matthews
• The McNaughts Kind River Station
• Geoff Newton Saddlery
• Ross and Robyn Peatling
• Mike Reed MLA Member for Katherine
• Saville Park Suites
• Alistair and Rachel Trier

From the bottom of my heart I thank all those financial sponsors for their generosity, trust and faith. Their contribution and commitment to the Katherine Icon and to rural Australia have been recorded for posterity.

Moreover, this memorial now belongs to all people for all time and we must cherish that honour and responsibility.

There are others whose assistance has been invaluable and I sincerely thank Bob Lee, Neita Carroll and Kara Lyman from the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association for their facilitation of an extra mountain of paperwork. Thank you Mayor Jim Forscutt, Terry Buss, Pancho Jack and others at the Katherine Town Council. Richard Williamson from Katherine Building Advisory Service has overseen the installation and construction on site with an eagle eye and unfaltering reliability. Thanks Richard.

My gratitude extends to Dorothy Sing; Cliff Emerson; Andrew Blakey and Carlton United Brewery; Eden Gray-Spence and Val Dyer.

How good it is to see Rotary Club of Katherine providing complimentary ice-cold water to our friends and guests – Thanks Rotarians.

Jim Cooper from Road Trains of Australia has been influential and instrumental in the intricate transportation of this massive bronze statue from the other side on the Pacific Ocean. When worry and frustration simmered and threatened to boil over, Jim would calmly make another telephone call, press another button and reassure me the Icon would be here on time. Jim, thank you for your crucial and unlimited assistance and support.

Ladies and gentlemen, there is one other. The Bush Telegraph worked overtime worldwide when it was time to commission a sculptor. How fitting to have Territory born Archie St Clair as the winner. With a background as ringer, stockman, butcher and contract chopper pilot, Archie understands the bush and all it represents. Like us, it is in his blood.

When Archie survived his shocking helicopter crash in 1994, he was told he’d never walk again. Throughout his painful and extensive recuperation years, he began to create bronzes. Archie has proven to be not just a survivor, but also a genius.

Mrs St Clair, you must be very proud of your son. Clinton, you must be very proud of your Dad. We share your pride.

Archie St Clair’s masterpiece is about to be unveiled. This truly awesome, magnificently detailed, life like, one and a half times life size bronze statue reflects to perfection our commitment to this land and its people, to our beloved Northern Territory and to each other.

Terry Underwood
Project Coordinator
4 th April 2003