Members of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) - her business achievements and charitable works 1938,
Biographical notes
Christina married Duncan Gordon, of Gordonvale, near Cairns, North Queensland in 1887. In 1909 Christina and family travelled to Western Australia, working in goldfields and building 58 miles of the dingo-proof fence. Christina worked along side the men with picks and cradles. Whilst working at the Tanami gold fields, Christina earned the title 'mother of the Tanami'. Around 1921 Christina took up residency at the Playford Arms Hotel in Pine Creek, and eventually moving to Darwin in approximately 1926 to manage the Victoria Hotel.
In 1928 Christina joined the syndicate which built the Star cinema that opened in 1929. Her husband died in August 1929. In 1930 she brought the cinema outright and had Tom Harris (senior) manage the cinema. In the 1930's, Christina purchased a hotel at the corner of Bennett and Cavenagh Streets, renaming it Gordon's Don Hotel.
Christina was evacuated 14 January 1942, but was one of the first civilians to return, again managing the Vic Hotel until selling it. She stayed in Darwin for awhile but moved to Brisbane, Queensland, where she died in October 1952.,
Subject
Women,
Northern Territory,
Related links
http://hdl.handle.net/10070/18981 [PictureNT : PH0151/0002, Group of clergy and citizens, E. Wilf Steenholdt Collection.],
http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=6281 [Place names register : Gordon Street],
http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=5651 [Place names register : Christina Court],