@Sister
Back in 1937 my mother travelled by car from Perth to Darwin with her friend and her friend's supposed Italian "Fiance". Imagine how adventurous that trip must have been. Took 3 months!
My mother's first job in Darwin was in the Hotel Darwin. She used to tell us that she was a Dining Room Maid NOT a Bar Maid! But, boy she knew how to pour a beer.
My parents were married in Darwin in December 1940. My mother and 3 week old sister were evacuated south on the "Koolinda", 19 December 1941. My father stayed as manpower for the building of Darwin's defences. He had just left the Darwin Post Office when the Japanese bombed Darwin on 19 February 1942.
My parents often spoke fondly of their time in Darwin and of the life they had prior to being evacuated. Sadly they never returned.