Hello Sue, I just spoke with David Tarrant, and he immediately identified it as a Cassia. I've done a bit more research, and feel fairly confident in suggesting that it is Cassia alata, known commonly as candlestick cassia. Some links: Cassia alata (PDF) from the University of Florida Environmental Horticulture program factsheets Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia lists it as being a noxious weed in northern Australia Cassia alata from Texas A&M University (with photo) PS Your friend from Darwin ought to sign up for the forums and share more interesting plants!
Yay! Thank you David and Dan. I passed the info along (m) to Donna and she was so relieved to finally have a name for it (she says it's the prettiest plant in her garden so far). I also told her about the invite to sign up here and she just might do it because she has alot of strange things growing around her house. ;) Right now she's trying to clear out all the wild passionfruit. It's also funny talking with her re: her vegetable garden - here (east coast) our growing season is short and we have to worry about it being too cold - there she has problems growing stuff because it's too warm. Thanks guys!
