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Jim Bowditch Jim Bowditch i(A137678 works by)
Born: Established: 1920 London,
c
England,
c
c
United Kingdom (UK),
c
Western Europe, Europe,
;
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: 1937
Heritage: English
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1 Background on Bowditch Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 171-173)
A brief outline of Bowditch's life from the time of his emigration to Australia from England in 1937 to the various occupations he held prior to enlisting in the Australian Army during World War II, and his ensuing career as a journalist and writer.
1 P. O. W. Found Freedom Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work prose
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 164-170)
Bowditch chronicles the immigration experiences of the Donatelli family, who made their name in Western Australia and the Northern Territory through their popular restaurants.
1 White Queen of Daly River Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work biography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 159-163)
Bowditch briefly sketches the life and career of pioneer outback nurse, Sister Eileen Fitzer, born in 1902, who worked among the Aborigines for many years.
1 'Peace' Became 'Dirty Word' Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 155-158)
Bowditch discusses the political climate of the Western world in the mid-1950s, and focuses on how this was evidenced at a local level in Alice Springs.
1 How Rum Jungle was Found Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work prose
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 151-154)
Following the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan that brought World War II to an end, uranium became a commodity of great interest, and it was around this time that large deposits were found in the Rum Jungle area. Bowditch briefly sketches the history of uranium use, and its mining development in the Northern Territory.
1 Berry Springs Murders Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work prose
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 147-150)
Bowditch outlines the details of one of the most abhorrent and violent crimes the Northern Territory has witnessed, and the subsequent trial and sentencing outcomes.
1 The $4 Million Bird Feast Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work prose
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 142-146)
When American entrepreneur Allen Chase was looking for a suitable site to grow the world's largest rice crop - as close as possible to the largest market, Asia - he chose an area of three-quarters of a million acres near Humpty Doo as the most suitable place. Everything looked highly favourable for a bumper crop as aerial sowing began, until an unexpected difficulty was encountered in the form of thousands of hungry magpie geese. Despite deterrent efforts ranging from clumsy scarecrows to the Army firing Bren guns, the geese repeatedly won the day, eventually forcing the rice growers to concede defeat.
1 'Long John' Hits Town Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 139-141)
Bowditch recounts how Hollywood actor and magician, John Calvert, requested permission from the Darwin police to perform a stunt in which he would drive blindfolded through the unfamiliar city. The police were disinclined to grant permission until Calvert convinced them of his skill by brilliantly executing a few tricks on the spot using the unsuspecting police as 'victims' while Bowditch, the reporter, looked on as witness.
1 Sea 'Wizard' Saved Lives Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 134-138)
Bowditch offers an account of a man, Carl Atkinson, whom he considers to be one of the Northern Territory's most remarkable characters.
1 A Sculptor's Own World Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 129-133)
Bowditch relates the story of his encounter with the sculptor William (Billy) Ricketts in bushland outside Alice Springs and their subsequent friendship. He also offers biographical details of Rickett's unusual life and philosophical beliefs.
1 National Identities Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 122-128)
Bowditch recounts the story of Mick Daly and Gladys Namagu, a young white drover and a young Aboriginal woman, who wanted to get married but were prevented from doing so by law. When Mick was arrested and Gladys sent back to Western Australia, reporters Bowditch and Lockwood, took up their case. Though the Government would not budge on its stance, the reporters managed to gain the approval of the Catholic church for the couple to marry.
1 The Vanishing House Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 118-121)
When a group of young men request to occupy four of five vacant government houses, locals are bewildered by the mysterious overnight disappearance of the fifth house. However, the answer is finally revealed to Bowditch many years later when one of the former occupants describes how the men obtained timber for their washing copper.
1 Why Charlie Vanished Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work prose
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 113-117)
Bowditch relates the story of an Aborigine from the desert regions who had been imprisoned for cattle stealing. With only three days of his sentence left to serve, the man, who had been dubbed 'Charlie', managed to outwit his guards and escape, never to be seen nor heard of again.
1 Oldest Profession 'A Winner' Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work prose
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 105-112)
Bowditch discourses on the establishment of casinos in the Northern Territory and other parts of Australia, and the history of human beings and their propensity for gambling.
1 Deportations Stopped Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 99-104)
When the Immigration Minister issued deportation orders for three well-liked and well-integrated Malaysian former pearl-divers, the Darwin community rallied to object.
1 When Pink Saw Red Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 87-98)
Bowditch recalls a bemusing early-morning encounter with Miss Pink in which she rang his doorbell, clouted him with her umbrella and quickly stormed off with the words 'How dare you?' ringing in his ears. Though he never did find out what it was he had dared to do, Bowditch did discover that he was not the only person to have been on the painful receiving end of Miss Pink's wrath. However, Bowditch shows that any affront caused by her temperamental nature was easily overwhelmed by recognition of her passionate advocacy for Aboriginal rights.
1 The Seafox Saga Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 79-86)
When Hollywood actor, John Calvert, sent a distress signal stating that his luxury yacht, the Sea Fox, was in trouble somewhere off northern Australia, he offered very few details of its actual location. When eventually rescued, a tale emerged of Calvert having planned the disaster for publicity, of his infidelity and deceit, and of his exploitation and starvation of crew members.
1 All for a Cat Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 74-78)
Bowditch recounts his unwise decision to try and rescue his cat at the height of Cyclone Tracy.
1 The Deadly Blow for Christmas Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 63-73)
Bowditch recalls the devastation of Cyclone Tracy and the heroic efforts of many people in aiding Darwin and its people to recover from the catastrophe.
1 Top End 'Houdini' Jim Bowditch , 1993 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Whispers from the North 1993; (p. 54-62)
Escaping over the walls of Fannie Bay gaol for a temporary respite was a regular occurrence tolerated by warders in the 1950s and '60s, but this tolerance was tested to the limits by the frequent disappearances of one prisoner. Following the intervention of a respected lawyer, the prisoner finally served out his sentence, realising that this was the quickest route to freedom.
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