Former Katherine mayor Fay Miller AM looks over Railway Pd in new mural

Katherine’s longtime advocate and community stalwart Fay Miller looks over town centre in a new mural, installed a week after a moving state funeral remembering her incredible life of service.

A mural of Fay Miller AM has been installed in Katherine by Proper Creative, as part of the Big Rivers Portrait Series Katherine Street Arts.

A new mural has appeared in Katherine, in honour of the town’s longtime advocate and leader, Fay Miller.

The portrait of Ms Miller – who died from cancer in April – is a striking addition to a large red-brick wall on Railway Pd, near the Meeting Place.

A greyscale design surrounded by pink glow, the mural features Ms Miller’s Member of the Order of Australia medal, which she was awarded in the 2021 Australia Day Honours for significant service to local government, to tourism, and to the community of Katherine.

Proper Creative was the team behind the mural – a Darwin-based group who have had a hand in most of the public art across the Territory.

The NT government funded the mural, as part of the Big Rivers Portrait Series Katherine Street Arts.

Fay Miller’s extraordinary life of service honoured at state funeral

Hundreds gathered to farewell Fay Miller AM, former Katherine mayor and MLA, at a touching state funeral service at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Darwin. Picture: Fia Walsh

Hundreds gathered to honour the “energy and love” of Fay Miller AM at a moving state funeral service in Darwin.

The Katherine stalwart was remembered for her life of service as longtime mayor, former MLA, and member of countless social and community groups.

Ms Miller’s grandchildren Jack and Jorja Wachtel were emotional as they shared a poem on how their ‘Nanna’ wanted to be remembered.

“I’d like the memory to be a happy one, I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done,” Jack said.

“You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on,” Jorja said.

Fay's granddaughter Jorja Wachtel says a final farewell. Picture: Fia Walsh

The pair also served as pallbearers for the coffin which was covered in blooming flowers.

A sea of colours and patterns ran through the crowd, with attendees encouraged to wear something bright.

Ms Miller was known for her iconic yellow crocodile skin bag and the funeral program described how her husband and “soulmate” Dennis Cheal would carry it for her as they walked hand-in-hand, always chatting.

Mr Cheal brought up the rear of the procession into the church, carrying the yellow bag for the last time.

Fay's husband Dennis Cheal carried her iconic yellow crocodile handbag down the aisle, full of her favourite sunflowers. Picture: Fia Walsh

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles gave the first eulogy, saying “the Territory was lucky to have had Fay”.

She described Ms Miller’s fierce advocacy when she was the Country Liberal Party member for Katherine from 2003 to 2008 and mayor from 2012 to 2020 – particularly Ms Miller’s campaign on the national stage when it was revealed the town’s water supply had been contaminated.

“I am not certain what it was about her that made her such a fighter, she was not aggressive, she was not rude, she was just firm, friendly, and most importantly fair,” Ms Fyles said.

“Maybe it was that she was born in the country in Ceduna, South Australia, and always had an affinity for those who needed to battle just a little harder to be heard because they lived away from the big smoke.”

Palmerston mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell (M) and Chief Minister Natasha Fyles (R) were among several politicians from both sides of politics that came to farewell Fay Miller. Picture: Fia Walsh

Alan Suter OAM also gave a eulogy, remembering his long time family friend as someone with “so much enthusiasm, drive and personality”.

A great cook, sportswoman, hobby farmer, ambulance driver, theatre star, costume maker, civil celebrant and avid traveller, it seemed there was not much Ms Miller did not do.

“Rest in peace Fay knowing that you squeezed every ounce of life out of yours,” Mr Suter said.

Ms Miller moved to Katherine in 1989 with her second husband Mike Miller where they ran the Red Gum Caravan Park, which was largely destroyed in the 1998 floods that ravaged the town.

A terrible car crash in 2006 landed Ms Miller in hospital, where she received more than 70 bunches of flowers to the delight of many hospital staff and friends.

Fay Miller’s popularity was embodied in the 70 flower arrangements that arrived after a nasty car crash in 2006.

She lost her “best friend” and husband Mike in 2010 after a short battle with cancer, but found love again with Mr Cheal who she married in May 2020.

“The family considered Den her guardian angel … a more loving and caring man we could not have found for Fay to spend her last years with,” Mr Suter said.

Ms Miller was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a type of leukaemia which impacts the bone marrow, in March 2020.

She died April 1 aged 75.