There is something of a mystery surrounding the spelling of the surname of Darwin’s energetic businesswoman , community worker and fund raiser , the late “ Auntie Billie.” The NT Dictionary of Biography has her surname , from a second marriage , as PITCHENEDER .
In the Australia Day News issued on January 26 this year one of the highlights was presentation by the Darwin North Rotary Club of the Aunty Billie Christening Cup to the first child born at the Royal Darwin Hospital on Australia Day . The cup , it said, honoured Auntie Billie PITSCHENEDER , a tireless worker for many charities.
The History Society of the NT in a 2008 newsletter apologized for incorrectly spelling Auntie Billie’s name , stating it should be PITSCHENEDER. Part of the Parap Housing Commission complex ,where she lived late in life , was named PITSCHENEDER COURT, a plaque honouring her continuing contribution to the Darwin community and work for charities.
Big in stature , energy and drive, she ran a catering business in Darwin , was an active participant in many community organizations and raised large amounts of money for worthy causes, including the rebuilding of the Chinese temple after Cyclone Tracy . A frequent visitor to the NT News in the days when it was situated in the “ tin bank” in Smith Street , she threw an annual birthday party for the newspaper. In fact, she called so often at the newspaper with cakes and sandwiches , editor “Big Jim” Bowditch, really a slight fellow, feared he would end up looking like Billy Bunter or Fatty Arbuckle , so politely asked her to desist. At times she unburdened problems on Bowditch and literally cried on his shoulder, engulfing the startled editor with her shaking , ample bossom.
When in 1961 she married Peter Pit(s) cheneder , a ship’s cook, she swept her beloved up in her arms at the reception . For him to have recipricated may have risked a double hernia, she being such a large bundle of charms. When Peter died ,The Star newspaper reported he was PITCHENEDER . Governor-General ,Sir Zelman Cowen, presented Billie with the BEM and she also received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. In 1980 she was named Citizen of the Year by the Darwin Australia Day Committee.
In the Australia Day News issued on January 26 this year one of the highlights was presentation by the Darwin North Rotary Club of the Aunty Billie Christening Cup to the first child born at the Royal Darwin Hospital on Australia Day . The cup , it said, honoured Auntie Billie PITSCHENEDER , a tireless worker for many charities.
The History Society of the NT in a 2008 newsletter apologized for incorrectly spelling Auntie Billie’s name , stating it should be PITSCHENEDER. Part of the Parap Housing Commission complex ,where she lived late in life , was named PITSCHENEDER COURT, a plaque honouring her continuing contribution to the Darwin community and work for charities.
Big in stature , energy and drive, she ran a catering business in Darwin , was an active participant in many community organizations and raised large amounts of money for worthy causes, including the rebuilding of the Chinese temple after Cyclone Tracy . A frequent visitor to the NT News in the days when it was situated in the “ tin bank” in Smith Street , she threw an annual birthday party for the newspaper. In fact, she called so often at the newspaper with cakes and sandwiches , editor “Big Jim” Bowditch, really a slight fellow, feared he would end up looking like Billy Bunter or Fatty Arbuckle , so politely asked her to desist. At times she unburdened problems on Bowditch and literally cried on his shoulder, engulfing the startled editor with her shaking , ample bossom.
When in 1961 she married Peter Pit(s) cheneder , a ship’s cook, she swept her beloved up in her arms at the reception . For him to have recipricated may have risked a double hernia, she being such a large bundle of charms. When Peter died ,The Star newspaper reported he was PITCHENEDER . Governor-General ,Sir Zelman Cowen, presented Billie with the BEM and she also received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. In 1980 she was named Citizen of the Year by the Darwin Australia Day Committee.
