Mount Doreen Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cattle station |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Founder | William "Bill" Braitling and Doreen Braitling |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Northern Territory, Australia |
Mount Doreen Station operates as a cattle station under a pastoral lease in Australia's Northern Territory.
Situated roughly northeast of Papunya and about northwest of Alice Springs, the property is positioned just off the central Northern Territory's Tanami Track. It shares boundaries with the Yunkanjini Aboriginal Land Trust to the south, the Yuendumu Aboriginal Land Trust to the east—where Yuendumu is the closest community—the Mala Aboriginal Land Trust to the north, and Lake Mackay Aboriginal Land Trust on its western side. Adjacent leases include Newhaven Sanctuary to the south and Mount Denison lying to the east.
On the property lies Vaughan Springs, also known as Pikilyi by the Warlpiri people, a natural spring of considerable cultural significance.
Early history
The traditional custodians of this region, the Warlpiri people, regard Vaughan Springs as an important Aboriginal sacred site connected to various Dreamings, themes that are evident in the artwork of Kumantje Jagamara.
After initiating a Federal Court claim in 2005, the Warlpiri achieved native title recognition over this land in 2014, following final determination in 2013 and a subsequent minor amendment registered in 2020.
Mount Doreen Station was founded in 1932 by William "Bill" Braitling and his wife Doreen, both experienced drovers within the Territory. The station’s name honors Doreen. In 1945, Bill Braitling was charged with assault concerning an altercation involving an Aboriginal man but was acquitted by 1946.
In 1947, Doreen Braitling submitted an application for a mineral lease. Bill Braitling stood as a candidate for the Stuart seat during the 1951 Northern Territory Legislative Council elections. By 1953, he endeavored to establish what would have been the Northern Territory’s inaugural Arab horse stud at Mount Doreen. Bill remained resident at the station until his passing in Alice Springs in 1959.
Recent history
The station was placed on the market in 2012 but was subsequently withdrawn from sale.
In 2013, management of Mount Doreen passed to Matthew Braitling. He faced charges relating to animal cruelty linked to cattle neglect incidents from 2012; although found guilty, no conviction was recorded.
Since 2007, Mount Doreen has been situated within the boundaries of the locality known as Lake Mackay.
Geology
The property is located within the geological area known as the Ngalia Basin. In 1971, a quartzite variety named Vaughan Springs quartzite was first described at this site.
Notable people
- Renowned artist Kumantje Jagamara AM, who created the mosaic forecourt at Parliament House, Canberra, was born at Vaughan Springs.
- Artist Pauline Nakamarra Woods, recognized as the first Indigenous Australian woman depicted on an Australian postage stamp, also hails from Vaughan Springs.