Ellen Ryan

[1] Ryan and her husband moved to the Northern Territory from Adelaide in 1873 after hearing reports of gold discoveries in the north.

[2] Ryan separated from her husband in 1877 taking out a formal protection order against him in 1881 for her earnings, "owing to his threats, cruelty and drunkenness".

[3][4] After the divorce, Ryan consolidated her holdings, buying up land in Palmerston and taking on several mining leases.

But two years later she succeeded in building a prestigious two-storey hotel in Palmerston which was first named the Royal, but was changed to the North Australian at the last minute.

It opened in 1890 to wide acclaim: "It only remains to be said that the interior arrangements are of the very best the furnishings of the bedrooms and parlours are both elaborate and tasteful.

It said in part: She promised she would seek me here If death was as she thought Sometimes, less drunk, I think I see Her lovely ghost form beckon me Or could it be the liquor has me caught?

At the Vic Hotel in Darwin Town They'll all be drinking still Not knowing that her face lies hid May it haunt them as for me it did Oh God!