George Goyder

George Goyder (George Woodroffe Goyder; born June 24, 1826, London, England; died November 2, 1898, Echunga, South Australia) was an outstanding surveyor in South Australia during the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Darwin

Goyder's other major feat was the planning, siting and initial development of Darwin, now the major city of the Northern Territory. The site was chosen for its exceptionally good water supply (especially when compared with areas south of 20°S!), and potential for easy communication with the rest of the continent through land or sea transportation. The site (actually at present-day Palmerston) was done after considering many other possibilities in the Top End, and Goyder went so far as to design the street plan of Darwin before it was even founded in 1877, as the Overland Telegraph reached the site. A street in Darwin - built in 1955 - is named after Goyder, as is a large river in Arnhem Land and electorates in both the Northern Territory and South Australia.

Related Topics:
Overland Telegraph - Arnhem Land

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Goyder led an austere and disciplined life, and this was reflected in his strict treatment of subordinates - though he was always regarded as fair to those he advised in spite of many complaints by farmers and graziers. By the late 1880s, however, Goyder's health was declining and, with no improvement coming, he resigned the post of Surveyor-General at the end of 1893. He died in 1898.

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