1980: Nine-week-old Azaria Chamberlain’s parents claim a dingo took their baby at Uluru

THE NT News and NT Government are celebrating 42 years of self governance by revisiting some of our most memorable milestones. In 1980, the Territory made headlines around the world when nine-week-old Azaria Chamberlain disappeared from her family’s tent at Uluru.

Lindy and Michael Chamberlain enter the Supreme Court in Darwin in 1982, when Ms Chamberlain was facing charges over the disappearance and death of their daughter Azaria at Uluru in 1980. She was initially sentenced to life imprisonment but was later released and exonerated. Picture: News Limited.

• 1979: 5m salty Sweetheart caught after stalking fishos
• 1978: Territory finally stands alone after winning self government

THE NT News and NT Government are celebrating 42 years of self governance by revisiting some of our most memorable milestones. In 1980 …

THE Territory made headlines around the world when nine-week-old Azaria Chamberlain disappeared from her family’s tent at Uluru.

Her parents, Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, said she was taken by a dingo.

Azaria’s body was never found and, in a case that polarised the nation, a second inquest led to the Chamberlain’s being charged with her murder.

Lindy was later sentenced to life but the chance discovery in 1986 of Azaria’s missing matinee jacket in an area full of dingo lairs led to her immediate release.

Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription deal

In less harrowing news, Garuda began flying from Darwin to Denpasar, cementing our love affair with Bali, and the NT introduced random breath testing to combat the growing road toll.

This was also the year Dick Ward Drive opened in Darwin, the Verburg Bridge opened in Adelaide River, and the name Palmerston was gazetted for the new town at East Darwin.