NT proud: Territorians fired up to celebrate Territory Day, despite lack of Cracker Night this year

TERRITORY Day will look a little different without Cracker Night but there’s still bucket loads of fun to be had celebrating 42 years of self-government today.

Darwin Sailing Club managers Annika Cobbin and Kaeleigh Dempsey have planned a big night at the venue to celebrate Territory Day. Picture: Glenn Campbell

TERRITORY Day will look a little different without Cracker Night but there’s still bucket loads of fun to be had celebrating 42 years of self-government today.

The Darwin Sailing Club are celebrating Territory Day with their own little spark.

Club general manager Lee Harris said if they couldn’t have fireworks to celebrate July 1, then the next best thing would be a bonfire on the beach.

Mr Harris said the family friendly event would raise money for the club to upgrade the playground.

“It’s a good day to embrace what it means to be a Territorian and to enjoy the relative freedoms as opposed to the rest to the country,” Mr Harris said.

While events across the board are more subdued there’s still fun to be had with many pubs, restaurants and venues holding listening parties for the Territory Sounds Countdown.

The top 40 songs that shaped the Territory, as selected by the public, will be aired from 4pm today.

Venues such as the Darwin Ski Club, Deck Bar, Dom’s Bar and Lounge, The Precinct, Hotel Darwin, Good Times Bar and Grill, Kirby’s Katherine and the Epilogue Lounge in Alice Springs will be blasting the tunes.

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The Precinct venue operations manager Clare Dazeley said the countdown was a unique way for people to get out and about and enjoy Territory Day while listening to some of the NT most memorable songs.

“I’m hoping that people will use the excuse to come on down and listen to the countdown and enjoy themselves,” she said.

Territorians are being asked to celebrate the Territory’s big day with friends and family by going out for a meal at a restaurant, cafe, takeaway outlet or pub as a part of the government’s new Territory 10,000 initiative.

You can go into the draw to win a year of dining out by simply scanning the QR code on display at more than 300 participating businesses.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said people could also get a $200 Territory Tourism Voucher from today.

“Get out and explore the great Territory backyard and back locals – every dollar we spend in the Territory helps protect a Territory job,” he said.

“The most important thing this Territory Day is to get out and back locals.”

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Mr Gunner said he stood by his decision to scrap Cracker Night this year.

“It was a tough decision but the right decision, and Territorians understand it,” he said.

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