DCM > Women > Tribute > 2003 > Barbara James

Babara James (1943 - 2003)

"She was a true believer, she was a real one" Bob Collins (Former Senator), ABC Stateline, 2003

As a journalist, historian, author, activist, advocate, writer and editor, Barbara James made an unique contribution to the Northern Territory .

Barbara Kay James was born in Holdredge, Nebraska USA and arrived in the Northern Territory in 1967. Through her work as a journalist Barbara began to develop her deep interest in the Territory and its people. By the early 1980's Barbara was collecting oral histories from legendary Territory women including Lily Ah Toy, Hilda Muir and Eileen Fitzer. In 1985 Barbara received a grant from the Australian Bicentennial Authority to research and write a book about women in the Territory's history. No man's land: Women of the Northern Territory was published in 1989 to critical acclaim, and shared the Jessie Litchfield Award for Literature in 1990. In all Barbara wrote, collaborated on, and contributed to 14 books about the people of the Northern Territory .

"She developed techniques, methods and strategies that have assisted the conservation of the Territory's heritage. Probably the most outstanding example of this is how she has peopled our heritage landscape - she ensured that our heritage is alive with people, not just dates." Trish Collins, Women's Electoral Lobby, NT, Nominator to Centenary of Federation Peoplescape , 2001

Barbara was the first executive officer of the Northern Territory Environment Centre, and was instrumental in the nomination of Kakadu National Park for World Heritage listing. She also worked on projects for the National Trust of the Northern Territory and was appointed to the Australian Heritage Commission.

Barbara received a Chief Minister's Women's Achievement Award in 1999; and in 2000 was the winner of the Northern Territory University Essay Award. In 2001 Barbara received the Northern Territory Heritage Award and was nominated to the Centenary of Federation Peoplescape project which saw a figure representing her become part of an estimated 5000 figures displayed on the lawn of Parliament House in Canberra. In 2002 she was awarded life membership of the Australian Labor Party for 30 years of service.

Barbara was known as an extraordinary woman "endlessly patient, endlessly loving, endlessly forgiving" (Bob Collins, ABC Stateline, 2003). She died in Darwin on March 31 2003.

In January 2004, the Friends of Barbara James Committee announced the establishment of the Barbara James Memorial Scholarship at Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory.