Stella Maris, Darwin facts for kids
Stella Maris is a special old place in Darwin, Australia. It is considered a heritage site, which means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
A Look Back: Stella Maris History
The Stella Maris site is on McMinn Street in Darwin. It has one main old building.
Early Days: The Railway Building
The oldest building was built in the 1930s. It was made by the Commonwealth Railways. This was a company that ran trains.
We don't know the exact year it was built. But a map from 1936 shows two buildings. They were marked as 'Commonwealth Railways'. The Stella Maris building is one of these. The other building was likely taken down in the 1940s.
A photo from 1936 might show this building. It was called "an old railway house." If it is the same building, it means it was already old then. This suggests it might have been built even earlier than the 1930s.
New Owners: From Railways to Community
The North Australia Railway closed in 1976. Many of its buildings were sold or removed. The Stella Maris site was given to the City of Darwin Council. This happened in 1979.
The Council then leased the site to the Stella Maris organisation. This group used it as a club.
Becoming a Heritage Site
In 1995, the Council wanted Stella Maris to be a heritage site. This would protect its history. But the idea was not approved at that time.
The site was suggested again in 2003. This time, it was accepted. Stella Maris officially became a heritage site on June 10, 2004.
What Stella Maris Is Used For Now
On March 4, 2016, the Northern Territory Government made an announcement. They gave a ten-year lease for the site.
The lease went to the National Trust of Australia (Northern Territory). This group now uses the site. It is a museum and a cafe.
