Royal Darwin Show
Pedigree pooches are in the spotlight at the Royal Darwin Show as this year’s theme has gone to the dogs.
Dog show organiser Susie Ripper says that there’s a special award for best Asian breed, in celebration of the Chinese Year of the Dog and the show’s theme.
Ripper says the dog show is a great event for the whole family.
“The whole premise of the Darwin Show is that there are things that families can enjoy that are free – it’s not just about sideshow alley and the show bags – there are events people can come and enjoy that don’t cost money, and the dogs are part of that.”
Show chief executive Cherry Court says a different theme is selected each year to highlight a different area of the show. How the theme is used in other areas is up to the creativity of show goers and entrants.
“People can use their creativity with cooking or scarecrows – you can use the theme to build a concept, but it’s really up to the in-dividual to think outside the square and be creative,” Court says.
Chances are if you’re not a dog person you’re a cat person, and this year the Cat Association NT (CANT) is celebrating 50 years.
But CANT president Heather Havens says it doesn’t have to be one or the other.
“There are plenty of dogs and pussy cats that live together very well,” she says.
“Quite often, families will get a puppy and a kitten at the same time, and even older dogs have settled with cats quite well.”
The cat and dog shows are part of a huge program of events. Court says the show is an annual highlight on the NT calendar because it gives people a chance to get involved and see the best of the agricultural industry.
“More and more people spend so much time on their phones, and looking at a screen, and what we’re doing here is a community celebra-tion – it’s a tactile experience you can touch and see and participate in,” she says.
“Where else do you go to have all those experiences where little peo-ple can pick up a little duck or pat a cow and see the best stud cattle in the NT?”
Thu 26 – Sat 28 Jul | 9am-10pm | Darwin Showgrounds | See the event listing
