SPINIFEX IS GREEN MEMOIRS OF A BUSH SURVEYOR IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA 1952 – 1996

ISBN: 9781925167030

Earl James came to Darwin in late 1952 and took work as a survey cadet with the Lands and Survey Branch of the Northern Territory Administration where, except for two years with the Melbourne Harbour Trust, he stayed until 1968 having gained his qualifications as a Licensed Surveyor and risen to the rank of Senior Surveyor. During those years he was responsible for the survey of numerous pastoral Lease boundaries in many areas of the Territory north of Tennant Creek. In the late 1960s he planned and led a number of expeditions measuring long distances for the purpose of providing geodetic data for the mapping of Australia.

In 1968 he entered the field of private practice during which he took an interest in professional and community affairs. He served as an Alderman in the Darin City Council for five years and has served variously as the Deputy Chair of the Darwin Hospital Advisory Board, the NT Planning Authority and the NT Surveyors Board. He has been the President of the Institution of Surveyors Australia (ISA) and in 1992 was elected the President of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG). His work within the profession has been recognised by his peers who have honoured him with Honorary Fellowship of both the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute and the Royal Australian Planning Institute, and as an Honorary President of FIG.

He retired from professional practice in 1996 and still lives in Darwin where he continues to make a contribution to society working for the Museums & Art Galleries of the NT Foundation, the Order of Australia Association and the Historical Society of the NT.

Author: JAMES EARL AM