GleNTi won’t spoil Queen’s Birthday celebrations, says Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis

DARWIN Mayor Kon Vatskalis has told GleNTi and the Australian Defence Force which event would take precedence at the Cenotaph next year if push comes to shove

Michael Melas, Jack Korfias and Stavros Makrylos had plenty of tempting souvla on offer at last year’s Greek GleNTi. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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GLENTI could be forced to delay the start to its festivities if a deadlock with the Queen’s Birthday celebrations at the Darwin Cenotaph under a proposed new schedule to cater for both events.

The stoush over the popular spot on the Esplanade could be finalised by a pre-existing precedent giving the RSL priority use of the war memorial.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the precedents for the Cenotaph set by the RSL had to be followed.

But the Mayor didn’t think it would prevent both events from going ahead.

“I pointed out to both parties that the Queen’s Birthday comes first but (we) should be able to work together to accommodate both events,” he said.

“I pointed out that there are in place already a number of conditions set by RSL for use of the site.”

The schedule will see the Queen’s Birthday at the Cenotaph from 10am to 1pm, with the cannon firing taking place from midday until 12.10pm.

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It means the popular Greek food and culture festival will have to work around the Queen’s Birthday event, which could include a later start time to the event or keeping patrons out of the exclusion zone during the ceremony.

“GleNTi committee is amicable to vary the starting time of GleNTi to take into account cannon fire. They accept RSL conditions,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“ADF people and GleNTi will now walk together to mark positions and analyse possible impact of cannon fire.”

Mr Vatskalis said while the busy weekend’s schedules were yet to be finalised, the three parties would work through logistic challenges.

“I believe our meeting was fruitful and pending field investigation, parameters will be put in place for both events to take place,” he said.

Darwin RSL president Steve Gloster said the decision would ultimately fall on council as to whether both events could respectfully, successfully and safely run together.

A meeting will be held next week to determine a suitable exclusion zone.