One of Katherine's first alderman, Doug Collins, has passed away.
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A funeral for the well known author and identity will be held in Darwin on Saturday afternoon.
A celebration of his colourful life will be held at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club afterwards.
He was 80 years old.
Mr Collins was part of Katherine's first council which was officially declared on May 13, 1978.
Inaugural Mayor Pat Davies was elected to preside over six alderman, Dick Field, Patrick Murphy, John Pfitzner, Ted Hagger, Derek Sweetman and Mr Collins.
More reading about Doug.
But he was more widely known as the author of "Three pound a post and a pound a rail" about his remarkable journey to the Top End.
Mr Collins has spent the past few months in Pine Creek after leaving the town he loved, driven out he said by young vandals.
After almost 40 years in Katherine, he told us last year he still loves the town, but cannot live here any longer.
Leaving Katherine was a last, desperate attempt to leave behind the crime.
"I don't want to leave, I have got to," he said.
"I was married here, my three daughters were born here.
"I am really sad now. I have moved before, but always of my own volition, I have never been forced to," he said.
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