Batchelor Demonstration Farm

[3] The land for the Batchelor Demonstration farm was first surveyed for European use as a part of the Hundred of Goyder (Northern Territory) and was first purchased by WO Clyde and likely used to grow tobacco until it was selected by the government.

[3] When the Commonwealth Government took control of the North Territory in 1911,[4] they poured resources into the region and, as part of this, they were determined to make a full investigation of the economic potential of the land.

[5] One the completion of his survey he recommended that two demonstration farms be established – one on the Daly River and one at Rum Jungle (Batchelor) with the hope that they would improve resources and attract labour to the region.

By the middle of 1913 the manager of the farm, who had started in February 1912, had resigned and his replacement Charles Woolley was charged for the indecent assault of the wife and daughter of one of the Russian workers in 1913.

[12] Additionally, the then editor, of the Northern Territory Times and Gazette was charge of contempt of court for criticising the behaviour of the judge during the trial; he was found guilty and his fine was paid by community members who agreed with him.