The people make the place this Territory Day, and every day!

The Northern Territory’s vibrant lifestyle and eclectic mix of people will be on show this Territory Day, with an exciting program of events on 1 July.

To celebrate the day the Territory declared independence from the Commonwealth Government in 1978, a number of events including fireworks displays, concerts and community celebrations will take place from the Top End right down to the Red Centre.

The theme of this year’s Territory Day is ‘The People make the Place’, and a competition that opens today is encouraging everyone to celebrate the Territorians who make the Territory such a great place to live.

Whether it’s the legendary barista at your local café who always remembers your order with a smile, the neighbour who lets you borrow their lawnmower – or maybe even mows your lawn! – the mate who takes you fishing in their boat and doesn’t make you clean it afterwards, or simply your mum, who makes every day a little bit easier, we want to hear about them.

All you have to do is submit a picture of the person you are nominating and the reason why.  Bonus points if the image is in a beautiful Territory location! Two lucky winners (one in the Red Centre and one in the Top End), who must live in the Territory, will each receive a luxury stay in the NT worth $2,500. Entries are open now and close at 11.59pm ASCT on Thursday, 29 June 2023.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO, Suzana Bishop said the Territory was the kind of place that’s easy to celebrate every day, but on 1 July we get to officially mark self-governance.

“This is our chance to celebrate who we are, how we got here and what makes the Northern Territory such an amazing place to live, work and play,” Mrs Bishop said.

“Whether it’s getting together with family and friends, attending one of the free celebrations or nominating a well-deserving local for the Territory Day competition, there are plenty of ways to be involved.

“We’re particularly keen to hear more about the people who make the Territory such a wonderful place to live. Not only are you sharing how amazing they are, but you are giving them the chance to win an incredible Territory tourism experience.”

Back to on-the-day celebrations, and Saturday, 1 July will see free, family friendly events take place right across the Territory, with concerts in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin, and fireworks displays in 17 regional and remote communities. More details will be announced soon.

To find out more about Territory Day, or to enter the competition, head to https://territoryday.nt.gov.au/.