Northern Territory Government
Vale the Honourable Edward (Ted) Joseph Egan AO
4 December 2025
It is with deep sadness that His Honour, Ms Ruth Jones and the staff of Government House acknowledge the passing of former Administrator the Honourable Edward (Ted) Joseph Egan AO.
Mr Egan was the 18th Administrator of the Northern Territory, serving the Territory and its people from 31 October 2003 to 30 October 2007. Mr Egan was a long-term Territorian who spent many years living in Alice Springs.
In his youth in Darwin, Mr Egan was a prominent sportsman. During a 20-year career with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr Egan worked mainly in the bush, employed as a Patrol Officer, Reserve Superintendent, District Officer and Teacher at various outback schools, including in remote places such as Borroloola, Groote Eylandt, Maningrida, Yuendumu and Newcastle Waters.
In 1960, Mr Egan became one of the pioneers of the out-station movement when he persuaded the Commonwealth Minister for Territories, Paul Hasluck, to support Aboriginal people who wanted to live in decentralised places away from main settlement areas.
From 1969, Mr Egan was a songwriter and author, recording 30 albums and publishing 15 books. He was the presenter of the TV series 'This Land Australia' and 'The Great Outdoors'. Mr Egan was inaugural Life Member of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame. He received the NT History Award and was featured in the Hands of Fame and the Roll of Renown at the Tamworth Australian Country Music Centre. Mr Egan won Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Country Music Association of Australia and National Folk Festival. He was the inaugural recipient of the Australian Folk Trust Award for major contribution to the Australian tradition.
Mr Egan was a member of the first Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1993 Australia Day Honours List "For Services to the Aboriginal people and for the interpretation of Australian cultural heritage through song and verse".
Mr Egan's wife, Nerys Evans, was born in Wales and emigrated to Australia in 1964. After completing her education at Homerton College, Cambridge, she graduated with a teaching degree, specialising in drama and sculpture. She taught Art at Northam High School and continued her love of the theatre with the Northam Dramatic Society. She taught in primary and secondary schools for 22 years.
While Administrator, Mr Egan and Ms Evans opened Government House to the public for educational purposes, hosted social and ceremonial functions, and travelled widely throughout the Northern Territory, visiting cattle stations, mining centres, and remote communities to meet as many people as possible; in recent years, they lived in Alice Springs. Mr Egan established the Steve Abala Role Model Administrator's Medal, which continues to honour outstanding athletes whose careers are strongly connected to the NT and who serve as role models for young people. Always welcoming, Ted and Nerys would sit by the carriage loop on Open Day to personally greet visitors exploring Government House, and Ted's strong support for the arts was evident in his hosting of the Administrator's Pleasure Concerts, which showcased local and interstate talent while raising funds to support the community.
We thank Ted for his great service to Territorians, to Australian song, literature, and the arts, and as Administrator of the Northern Territory. Our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.
"Our thoughts are with Nerys and their family during this difficult time. They are embraced by the love and gratitude of Territorians, whose stories continue to remind us how deeply Ted Egan was cherished. His enduring legacy is woven into the Territory's cultural celebration, its music and storytelling, and its spirit of caring for one another. The love of the Territory and its people was at the heart of his life's work, and that devotion will remain a lasting gift carried forward by all who call the Northern Territory home."
GPO Box 497, Darwin NT 0801
