Batchelor

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Batchelor was named after Egerton Batchelor, a South Australian federal parliamentarian. Leading up to World War II, the area was used widely for agricultural pursuits. During the war, it was bombed by the Japanese and became an important Allied Air Force base.

It was not however, until the 1950’s that the town came into real prominence. A prospector named Jack White discovered uranium deposits at the nearby Rum Jungle. This resulted in a huge new mineral industry. Mining began in 1951 and by 1954 a modern township had been established. In 1963 the mine was closed but the stockpiles continued to be treated at the plant until 1971.

Today the town is home to Batchelor College, an Aboriginal Tertiary Education institute. It is also known as the gateway to Litchfield National Park, an area of great natural beauty with several permanent spring-fed waterfalls.