How we celebrated Australia Day in the NT

Australia Day started early for plenty of Territorians, whether it was trying to secure a spot at the starting grid at Hidden Valley for the ute run or running in the Tennant Creek Triathlon.

Lorraine Colliver at Hidden Valley for the annual Variety NT Australia Day Ute Run. Picture: Che Chorley

Australia Day started early for plenty of Territorians, with many sleeping out at Hidden Valley to secure their spot on the starting grid of the annual ute run.

Others got their exercise in early at the Darwin Waterfront, with the Australia Day Oz Run firing off at 7am.

Runners Adam van Wessel, 14, and dad Rob Van Wessel ran together, with Adam pipping his old man at the finish line.

“I went pretty well, I’m not competitive but it’s good for me to give it a go,” he said.

“It’s good that we’ve done it, it’s a good run. It’s nice to have a day to represent our country because we live in such an amazing place.”

Australia’s healthy competitive spirit was on show with Mr van Wessel insisting he let his son across cross the line first.

Adam van Wessel, 14, and dad Rob van Wessel at the finish line of the Oz Run at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Che Chorley

“We worked together to get up and get it done … I did let him win at the end there,” he said. “We’re just wearing our green and gold, trying to represent the country.”

For many, it seemed the best option for the afternoon was to find a pool somewhere to cool off.

The annual Variety NT Australia Day Ute run saw a different crowd, with ute lovers coming from all across the country to don their bogan get-ups and deck out their utes out with as much apparel as possible.

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With half of the proceeds going towards Variety Victoria, helping out with the bushfires, some motorists were playing their own part in raising funds for those Australians in need.

“I’ve got ‘fence for hero’ (a sign) on the back of my ute, it’s fencing for all the volunteer firefighters and farmers in Australia, for all the people who’ve lost their houses,” Richard Chandler said.

“We’ve donated foods and palettes, 66 palettes and three truckloads yesterday … it makes us Australian.”

Dozens of utes ready to go at Hidden Valley for the annual Variety NT Australia Day Ute run. Picture: Che Chorley

Adding a touch of class to their ute, Natalie Bell and Renee Barratt rolled out in their 1934 Ford V8, brought from New York to Australia and specially customised.

“It’s just a good day for everyone to get together, everyone being Australian and supporting mates and after the bushfires, raising money for people in need is pretty important,” Ms Barratt said.

Other traditions saw the Hardman family set up their deck chairs by the Ludmilla flyover, with youngster Kiam, 2, watching the convoy of utes drive past.

Kiam Hardman, 2, watches on as a ute rounds the corner at the Ludmilla flyover as part of the ute run. Picture: Che Chorley

“We’ve been here for the last five years, we always come to the same corner,” father Kriss Hardman said.

“Little Kiam (aged 2) loves it, out here waving the flag and getting all the attention, he loves it.”

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A number of Tennant Creek residents started Australia Day with a bang, participating in the Tennant Creek Triathlon before their family fun afternoon at Lake Mary Ann, while Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Litchfield and Wagait Beach all enjoyed celebrations at their local community centres and parks.