https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Creek,_Northern_Territory
In the 1920s and 1930s, a broader community of Russian immigrants settled in the broader Katherine and Top End region to assist with the expansion of the outback railway and peanut farming
The connection between Pine Creek, NT, and Russia is rooted in history. It primarily stems from Alex Gory, a notable Russian immigrant and early outback pioneer who lived in Pine Creek for decades.
https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=3004
"Pine Creek." Worker (Brisbane, Qld. : 1890 - 1955) 5 August 1915: 20. Web. 13 Jun 2026 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70893461>.
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Russians in Australia to Fight
A telegram from Sydney on Thursday night stated: The Imperial Russian Consul for N.S.W. (Mr. T. A. Welch has received instructions from Russia that all Russians of military age in Australia must take their part in the war. They are given the option of either joining the Russian forces in their own country or enlisting with the Australian Expeditionary Forces. Mr. Welch states that there are in Australia about 20,000 Russians, nearly all of the working classes. Most of them are in Queensland. There are a fair number in New South Wales, principally in the Mining' districts.-"Adelaide Observer."The above extract was forwarded by a correspondent together with a footnote to the effect that there are considerably more than 100 Russians employed on the Pine Creek to Katherine Railway Construction works, and .... of them refuse to contribute to funds of Pine Creek Patriotic League."
It would seem that Russians resident in the Territory are, as yet, unaware of the instructions which have apparently, been issued by the military authorities of their country, and that it would be better for all parties concerned if steps were taken to advise them of the position of affairs, at the earliest possible moment.
Russians in Australia to Fight (1916, February 24). Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873 - 1927), p. 14. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3277699
Russians resident in Darwin and its neighbourhood organised a procession which marched through the principal streets of the town on Tuesday afternoon, carrying a number of banners bearing inscriptions in English and Russian. All these banners were red in color with one great exception, which was jet black. This sombre banner bore the sinister word "Anarchy," some other working for English, and also some Russian characters which presumably represented the same phrase. About 150 to 200 men, women and children took part in the procession, singing as they marched a refrain in Russian which gave one the impression of being a hymn or anthem of some kind. The dominant note in this cause seemed sad, but there were other notes intermingling which seemed expressive free joy and triumph. In any case many of the singers had good voices, and the general effect was weirdly interesting and melodious. There was not instrumental music. The object of the procession, it is understood, was to publicly demonstrate the joy and satisfaction caused among Russians residing in the Territory for the receipt of the news of the successful consummation of the great revolution in Russia, which has shattered the old regime and old tyrannies into dust, and, it is hoped, marks the dawn of a new era in the national life of Russia.
FOUND DEAD IN BED. AN ECCENTRIC FIGURE
The body of S. Bauldino, aged 50 (1889-1939), was found in bed at his home at the Police Paddock, Darwin, on Sunday. He was a Russian and came out to Australia originally to work on the Pine Creek-Katherine railway construction. He had lived at the Police Paddock for many years and was a wellknown figure around Darwin. Bauldino was recognised as being eccentric, and was very independent. Although he did not work, he refused to accept Government rations. He made his shoes from motor tyres, his shirt and trousers from bagging, and his hat was made from the husks of a coconut. He was a harmless individual, but always claimed the Commonwealth Railways owed him £7000.
FOUND DEAD IN BED (1939, June 27). Northern Standard (Darwin, NT : 1921 - 1955), p. 9. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49456561
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And remernber the big night when the Russians went mad at the Katherine? I had to settle it. Andy remembered it; the Russians were working on the construction of the railway line from Pine Creek to Katherine River.
1939 'VISITORS FROM AFAR.', Northern Standard (Darwin, NT : 1921 - 1955), 28 March, p. 12. , viewed 13 Jun 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49454514List of Russians recorded at Pine Creek NT
BORSUK George: Nationality - Russian: First Registered at
Pine Creek - NT
KOORKOFF John: Nationality - Russian: First registered at
Pine Creek
Koozet, Darify - Nationality: Russian - Alien Registration
Certificate No 18 issued 27 October 1916 at Pine Creek
RAILAN George: Nationality - Russian: Date of Birth - 1877:
Date of Arrival - August 1915: First Registered at Pine Creek - NT
RUSALEL John: Nationality - Russian: Date of Birth - 23
March 1892: Date of Arrival - 22 December 1912: First Registered at Pine Creek
- NT
Selek, Adam - Nationality: Russian - Alien Registration
Certificate No 103 issued 31 October 1916 at Pine Creek
WASILESKY [WASILEVSKY] Romould: Nationality - Russian
[Pole]: Date of Birth - 1890: Date of Arrival - August 1915: First Registered
at Pine Creek - NT
BORSUK Feodor: Nationality - Russian: Date of Birth - 1895:
Date of Arrival - August 1915: First Registered at Pine Creek - NT
GOLINOFF Nogin: Nationality - Russian: First Registered at
Pine Creek - NT
Kalssin, Sinditys - Nationality: Russian - Alien
Registration Certificate No 41/1279 issued 31 October 1916 at Pine Creek
Savkoff, Georgi - Nationality: Russian - Alien Registration Certificate No 207 issued 3 November 1916 at Pine Creek
ZAKIDALSKY Wasily [ZAKIDALISK Wasyli]: Nationality -
Russian: Date of Birth - 1879: Date of Arrival - 1915: First Registered at Pine
Creek - NT
MITRAK Grigorio: Nationality - Russian: Date of Birth - 26 March 1882: First registered at Pine Creek
Mitrak, Grigorio - Nationality: Russian - Alien Registration
Certificate No 102 issued at Pine Creek [as well as Certificate numbers 817
issued at Townsville, 446 issued at Innisfail, 422 issued at Babinda, 456
issued at Innisfail and 158 issued at Ayr]
Babichook, Paul - Nationality: Russian - Alien Registration
Certificate No 109 issued at Pine Creek
Tazadinoff, Samuel - Nationality: Russian - Alien
Registration Certificate No 267 issued at Pine Creek
Magoff, Harry - Nationality: Russian - Alien Registration
Certificate No 130 issued at Pine Creek
Rizanenko, Tocif - Nationality: Russian - Alien Registation
Certificate No 270 issued at Pine Creek