From fun runs to thong-throwing and horse racing: How Territorians celebrated Australia Day 2021
THOUSANDS of Darwinites ran, threw a thong or a barra or just took the day to socialise in true Territorian style to celebrate this Australia Day.
Northern Territory
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THOUSANDS of Darwinites ran, threw a thong or a barra or just took the day to socialise in true Territorian style to celebrate this Australia Day.
More than 1500 people started the Australia Day Public Holiday on the right foot, taking part in the Australia Day Fun Run.
Runners Cameron and Sharyn Murdoch said starting the day with a run helped put a spring in their day off from work.
“We enjoy getting out and enjoying the atmosphere of Darwin, we thought this would be a good way to start it,” Mr Murdoch said.
“We were going to go camping but the weather’s changed our plans.”
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His wife Sharyn Murdoch said by getting up early, they could enjoy the rest of the day with a couple of drinks.
“We might go for a swim at the infinity pool at the Casino, have lunch there and a couple of drinks,” she said.
“It means if we do go and enjoy ourselves we’ve already earnt it.”
Australia Day Council NT executive director Anna McDonald said there was plenty of ways for people to spend their Australia Day with a smile.
“There’s lots of great things going on around the Territory, the Fun Run, the Ute Run and plenty of other community events,” she said.
“It’s good to get up early to get to these events and make the most out of the day.”
Darwinites then headed to a beachfront Australia Day party at the Trailer Boat Club.
Girls, boys, and their mums and dads had a crack at the thong tossing competition, with 12-year-old Jack Best and 11-year-old Evangelina Royanne taking out the top prizes.
Other events on offer including a whipping demo by the Whip King himself, Mick Dennigan.
In typical wet season style, people were driven inside by a sudden shower, but that didn’t stop the festivities.
It was all about friends and family at the Berry Springs Tavern, where people from across the Top End celebrated Australia Day in true Territory fashion with fistfuls of hot chips and a stubby or two.
Odin, 12, and Nissa, 15, Stevens were thrilled to spend the day with family.
“It’s a good time to catch up with family, friends, just relax and sit back,” Nissa said.
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At the Darwin Turf Club Pete and Sam Humphries were ecstatic to bring their kids to celebrate the magic of Australia Day on the racecourse.
Originally published as From fun runs to thong-throwing and horse racing: How Territorians celebrated Australia Day 2021
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