What’s on: Kate Dinning wants to know which Top End Legend readers would dress up as

After being made to choose from an array of truly iconic Territorians for a dress-up party, Kate Dinning got curious. So, who would you choose as the ultimate Top End legend? FREE.

Kate Dinning at a dress-up party as a fish / Darwin Street Art festival combined.

Last weekend I went to a themed ‘Legends of the Top End’ party. What a theme.

I had quite a big week last week, so I foolishly began asking my friends what they would go to the party as at midday on Friday … the party was on Friday night.

But the responses were both comical, educational and hilarious, and I eagerly awaited the moment I could find out what each person attending would dress up as.

It was a fun party and it started some great conversations, so please enjoy the list of Territory Legends – in case you’ve got a Dry season party to throw and you need a theme (great theme, Micky).

An overwhelming response to my Top End legend question was Julio and Paulie – and rightly so.

He is the original DJ on a bike, and I am positive he’s made many people’s evenings brighter as he rode past with his cockatoo and good tunes just on sunset.

Other suggestions I received included Fran from Larrimah, who was originally a Territory legend for her famous pies for travellers heading up and down the Stuart Highway, but more recently has become an icon for her feature in the Netflix series, book and podcasts about the small, intriguing town of Larrimah and the disappearance of one of its residents.

In among all the discussion, I suggested my partner go as a ‘610 Territory Legend’.

While it may sound like I just repeated the theme … it’s also a type of boat (that he constantly talks about buying) so is certainly worthy of Top End Legend status.

Another comical response – and I hope this guy reads the NT News – is the Segway man who burns around the CBD streets on his one-wheeled Segway in his business shirt.

Now that guy is a Territory Legend.

Iconic Northern Territory location the Pink Panther Hotel in Larrimah. Picture: Kate Dinning

Someone did suggest I go as the man the Crocodile Dundee character was created after, which gave me a good history lesson when I googled that – but I didn’t think going barefoot to a brewery would be the smartest idea.

So after as many discussions as I could fit into the hours before the party, I ended up getting so many suggestions I couldn’t choose – so I made two costumes in one.

I went as a fish, and also the Street Art Festival.

Both are legendary Top End activities.

A popular costume at the party was of course, the Million Dollar Fish.

Luckily by the end of the competition, there were about 8 of them – so everyone in the same costume could be easily explained.

Red tag essential.

There was also a Great Northern: legendary – a Gouldian finch, very topical – and there was also, of course, a crocodile.

And the most legendary (fictional) Territory character of all: Crocodile Dundee!

And Sue. his love interest. Iconic.

Shenanigans made an appearance, and rightly so – I’m actually surprised no one dressed as Monnies too, although that might make for an interesting costume.

Some of the interesting choices which I did need to be explained to me included Philip Nitschke, the man who campaigned successfully to have a legal euthanasia law passed in the Northern Territory, and the guy from Outback Ringers.

But who won best dressed? The iconic Pink Panther Hotel, of course.

Who would you go to a party as if the theme was Top End Legends? Tell me on Instagram @wearelocals_darwin @theNTnews!