What’s on: NT talent across industries shines on Aussie stage

In the last three weeks alone there have been some awards won, records broken, and Australia firsts – all good things – and all by people in Darwin and the NT, writes Kate Dinning.

Darwin city skyline, Northern Territory. Picture: Kate Dinning

If you were to google Darwin Awards, you’re probably going to get something very opposite to what I am about to say.

But in the last three weeks alone there have been some awards won, records broken, and Australia firsts – all good things – and all by people in Darwin and the NT.

We’re about to see ourselves on the big stage with the release of the new Netflix series ‘Territory’, which premieres in October.

But there’s also plenty of things to celebrate from our bars, barista benches and remote school stages right here.

Aside from Darwin copping its heaviest September rain in 43 years this week (how nice was that?), us giving SA’s title of ‘festival State / Territory’ a run for its money, and still being the cheapest place to buy a dwelling by a country mile in the property report that was released last week – there’s been some big milestones coming out of our small city.

Perhaps my favourite stat of the month is this: while they recorded data from every capital city and then some extra ones, Darwin didn’t even rank on the research paper for the most time stuck in traffic per year.

Every year, people in Melbourne and Sydney spend almost the equivalent of a 4-day long weekend camping trip.

No thanks!

Perk and Palate. Picture: Kate Dinning

Some of the fantastic wins you’ve heard about this month would include the Australian Bartender Awards – with Joey Folkersma, of Hanky Panky and Bar Kokomo taking out Bartender of the Year – the first time in history that a bartender from Darwin has taken out the title!

But those awards also saw Anneliese Grazioli take out Bar Operator of the Year (for Hanky Panky, and NT Cocktail bar of the year, Bar Kokomo) and Waterfront venue Hot Tamale take out NT Bar of the Year!

On more great drinks news – Willing Distillery also recently took out six medals, three golds, two silvers and a bronze, at the recent Australian Gin Awards – and Northern Distilling’s Troppo Yuzu Gin winning gold for Best Contemporary Gin at the Australian Distilled Spirit Awards and Tasting Australia Spirit Awards.

And of course, Amelia Love, the apprentice chef from the Berry Springs Tavern, won three gold medals in the Nestle Gold Chefs Hat National Finalist competition last week.

In the coffee world, the Veneziano ‘Barista Brawl’ titles were on last week – but the NT baristas didn’t have a state-based final, so a handful of them travelled to the Queensland competition … and one of them won it.

A huge congratulations to Lucky Salvador of Coffee Man / Perk & Palate who won the Queensland Barista Brawl – go the NT!

And just this week, A teacher from a remote school in the Katherine region - Bulman Community School - was nominated for the prestigious ARIA Music Teacher of the Year Award! Nathaniel Miller has been nominated for his dedication music education and changing lives through music.

It’s been almost a year since I started this entertainment and events column, and I am excited to expand it into good news stories of Territorians doing great things, because there’s clearly a lot to talk about.

If you’ve got someone you think I should interview – send me the good news to [e-mail].