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Darwin RebellionPrint Page 
Liberty Square commemorates the site of the civil unrest demonstration of 1918. It also commemorates the Territory`s battle for self rule and full admission to the federation of Australia.
In 1918, Vestey`s Meatworks, the largest employer in the Northern Territory, was closed and this, together with the earlier nationalisation of hotels in Darwin, caused extreme agitation among Union members. The situation culminated in December 1918 when several hundred Union members marched in protest through Darwin and went to Government House to demand the removal of Administrator Gilruth and an investigation into his administration. This event is known as the Darwin Rebellion.
Location
| Address: | Esplanade, Liberty Square, Darwin, 0800 |
|---|---|
| State: | NT |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -12.467222 Long: 130.843333 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Park |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Government |
| Sub-Theme: | Dissent |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 17-December-1918 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 20-February-1920 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 1st May, 1996 |
|---|
Liberty Square
This plaque was unveiled by the Chief Minister the Hon. Shane L. Stone, MLA On 1 May, 1996.
Liberty Square is the site of the "Darwin Rebellion" of 17 December, 1918, when several hundred residents marched on Government House to demand the removal of the Administrator, Dr. J.A. Gilruth, from the Northern Territory.
This followed growing frustration among the citizenry with Commonwealth Government Administration which had taken over responsibility for the Territory in 1911.
The rebellion has been cited as second only to the Eureka Stockade of 1854 in its open defiance of Government authority.
After several weeks of virtual siege in Government House, Dr. Gilruth and his family departed Darwin on the night of 20 February 1919 aboard HMAS Encounter, a cruiser sent by the Commonwealth Government to ensure public order.
Liberty Square commemorates the commencement of the Territory`s long battle for self rule and full membership of the Federation of Australia.
