Amid a flurry of machinery and curious stares from passers-by, the Department of Infrastructure installed a tribute to former employee Mal Hunnam during a moving memorial ceremony on April 22.

About 30 people, including members of Mr Hunnam’s family and former colleagues, donned high-visibility vests for the ceremony, which took place beside one of the towering boabs on the Stuart Highway and Bicentennial Road intersection.

Mr Hunnam was a public servant for more than four decades – including 24 years with the Northern Territory government – and played a pivotal role in the construction of some of the Katherine region’s most well-known bridges, including the one spanning the Victoria River.

The 72-year-old lost his long battle with illness in December 2015.

Department of Infrastructure chief executive Dave McHugh helped Mr Hunnam’s eldest son, Jeff, unveil the memorial and they told the crowd that the trees were a unique way to honour the role he had played in developing bridge infrastructure around Katherine.

“Based in Katherine for 24 years, he was involved in the construction of most of the significant bridge projects in the region, including the Bradshaw, McArthur River and Victoria River bridges,” Mr McHugh said.

“The two boab trees are a fitting part of the memorial, as Dad would often speak of their uniqueness,” Mr Hunnam added.

“We know Dad would be humbled to be remembered this way.

“One of his favourite sayings was ‘we won the tender’ and with Dad, we feel as though we were the ones who won the tender.” 

The memorial was a true community effort, with the Perner family donating the trees and Northern Machinery Sales, COSA Cranes and Katherine Tilt Trays teaming up to move them into position and plant them.