Time to dress up for Australia Day celebrations

Whether you’re donning a ball gown, lacing up your running shoes, dressing up the ute or dancing in traditional dress there are plenty of options for Top Enders to dress up, get involved and celebrate our national day.

With less than two weeks to go, Northern Territory Australia Day Council Executive Director Kiya Gill says that she expects thousands of Territorians to participate in a range of activities celebrating all the things that make our country great.

“From Alice Springs to the Tiwi Islands community groups, families and friends have organised everything from flag raising ceremonies to special events, sporting activities and bar-be-ques in honour of our special day and lifestyle.”

“In Darwin alone we have the Gala Ball, a Fun Run, the Ute Run and an amazing multicultural event,” she said.

 “Australia Day offers something for everyone and gives us a chance to reflect on our national journey and to commit to making our country even better in the future.”

Darwin Australia Day activities include:

The 2014 Australia Day Gala Ball

The Gala Ball is back and will be held at the new SKYCITY Beachside Pavilion on Saturday, 25 January 2014. Join us for a night of celebration and fun with entertainment by The Kicks featuring Natalie Pellegrino and master of ceremonies Robert Smith from ABC Tales from the Tinny. Tickets are still available so don’t miss out on the first Ball for the new year, contact the Australia Day Council on 8924 4204.

Fun Run

This year’s Fun Run will start and finish at the Darwin Waterfront, there will be a 2.5km and 5km option. All entries go into a draw to win a pendant valued at $1,000. Come along to this great family event with fun and entertainment for all ages including a free sausage sizzle. Enter online at nt.australiaday.org.au

Oz Fusion

Celebrate Darwin's cultural diversity on our national day by sharing and enjoying each other’s cultural differences. Family friendly entertainment and activities in air-conditioned comfort on Sunday 26 January at the Cyprus Community Centre, Batten Road, Marrara from 4:00pm til 8:00pm. Gold coin donation on arrival.

Ute Run

Grab the family and dog, dress up the car and head down to the 2014 Australia Day Ute Run.
Gates open at 10:30am at Hidden Valley Raceway with the convoy departing at 12:30pm to the Winnellie Park Greyhound Club. Entry via a $10 donation per vehicle. Family fun, entertainment and competitions on the day including a licenced bar and food facilities.

Australia Day Ambassadors Program
Award-winning actor Jeremy Kewley is looking forward to spending Australia Day in Darwin and sharing his love of Australia and Australian humour and language.

Fans of the undercover cop show Stinger will recognise Jeremy as Detective Senior Sergeant Bryan Gray. You might also remember his familiar face from the seven years he spent playing Mt Thomas journalist Tony Timms in Blue Heelers and his portrayal of Senior Sergeant Graeme Collins in Underbelly Flies: Tell them Lucifer was Here in 2011.

As well as his dramatic acting roles, Kewley has also been writing and performing comedy for the past 30 years at some of Melbourne’s leading comedy venues and has been the audience “warm-up comedian” for the AFL version of The Footy Show since it began in 1994.

For more information on Australia Day in the Northern Territory go to nt.australiaday.org.au or visit the Australia Day NT Facebook page.