Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

This Katherine icon is a sculpture of a stockman and horse recognising the invaluable contribution by rural and regional communities to Australia’s national identity. The Stockmen had a vital role in the history of the Northern Territory. Sabu Peter Sing was the role model for the Katherine icon. Sabu’s outstanding skills as bushman, horseman, stockman and cattleman were widely recognised and acclaimed. Born of the Wardaman tribe, Sabu epitomised different races and cultures. Sabu Sing was born at Delamere station in 1940, the son of a Chinese father and Wardaman Aboriginal mother. By seven he was already breaking in horses. He was fostered out to Tom Fisher the manager of Wave Hill Station part of the then Vestey`s pastoral empire. Yet his aboriginality was always an essential part of who he was. Sabu was tragically killed in a car accident in 1993