State funeral announced after long-time Katherine Mayor Fay Miller dies after cancer battle

A state funeral will be held for ‘pioneering Territory woman’ Fay Miller, who will be remembered for her enduring service to the Katherine community.

A State Funeral will be held for the former Katherine mayor and Katherine MLA Fay Miller.

It will be held May 26 in Darwin, with further details to be announced soon.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the state funeral would recognise Ms Miller’s decades of community service, and “how she meant so much to so many”.

“On behalf of the Northern Territory government, I pay our respects to Fay’s husband Dennis, along with her children and grandchildren,” she said.

The Northern Territory political stalwart lost her battle with cancer, just days shy of her 76th birthday.

The former long-time Katherine mayor and MLA has been remembered for her significant contribution to the town and the wider Territory community after she died Saturday.

Ms Fyles joined the tributes flowing for the “pioneering Territory woman”, remembering her as someone who was caring, compassionate, and always led from the front.

“She paved the way for many, and was a strong advocate of her community,” Ms Fyles said.

“During Fay’s tenure of Katherine mayor we worked with Fay on community initiatives for Katherine.

“She always fought for her community and was always constructive.”

Fay Miller is remembered as a “pioneering Territory woman”. Picture: Franchi Michael

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

Born in South Australia, she moved to Katherine in 1989.

Along with her late husband Mike, Ms Miller bought the Red Gum Tourist Park, which was hard hit in the massive 1998 Australia Day flood that devastated the town.

She turned to politics, and was the Country Liberal Party member for Katherine from 2003 to 2008, also serving as deputy leader of the party.

A broken neck as a result of a horrific car accident in 2006 contributed to her stepping down as MLA.

Tragically, Ms Miller’s husband Mike died of cancer in 2010.

But her passion for serving the community remained, and Ms Miller was elected mayor of Katherine in March 2012, staying in the job until she retired in late 2020 for health reasons.

She also stayed open to new love, marrying Dennis Cheal in May 2020 soon after her terminal diagnosis.

In the 2021 Australia Day Honours, Ms Miller was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for “significant service to local government, to tourism, and to the community of Katherine”.

Fay Miller was honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021 for her service to Katherine. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

Katherine Town Council posted a tribute to its long-time chief.

“Fay will always be remembered for her fun-loving approach to life, her ability to tell you like it is, to sell ice to eskimos, and most importantly care for her people,” it said in a statement.

“On behalf of all elected members and staff of Katherine Town Council, we salute you Fay and sincerely thank you for your contributions to this town.”

On social media tributes flowed for Ms Miller.

Darwin media personality Katie Woolf said on Facebook she was “very sad” to hear of Ms Miller’s passing.

“The epitome of a strong woman who stood up for the community and what she believed in,” Ms Woolf wrote.

Fay Miller was “the epitome of all things that make this the best place to live”. Pic Peter Bennett.

Facebook user Jane Eastburn wrote: “Your smile and positivity always lit up a room, you just loved life and lived it to the full. Your energy, enthusiasm and zest for life will be missed greatly by so many.”

“A sad day,” wrote Ben Liebelt. “You did so much for Katherine and the wider NT community. You were the epitome of all things that make this the best place to live. Thanks for all you did for your community and my family.”