Festival of Us

Reflecting on the diversity of the Territory, everyone’s welcome to join the Australia Day Council NT for the Festival of Us, an inclusive celebration of local entertainment, workshops, and multicultural fare.

^{By Jenna Kirkham}

KICKING OFF BRIGHT and early, start your morning with the annual OzRun event, a family-friendly fun run that sees participants navigate an inner-city trail whilst donned in their best Aussie get-ups.

Water stations and fun activities are on hand to keep participants cool with spirits high, before the run ends at Darwin Waterfront with a traditional Smoking Ceremony, live music, sausage sizzle, and roving entertainment.

The Festival of Us, perhaps for those who’d prefer to skip the early morning jog, takes place at the Territory Netball Stadium. The air-conditioned space transforms into three different areas, all consciously created to embrace and reflect our diverse community.

CEO of the Australia Day Council NT, Anna McDonald, says it’s a great day for people to come together.

“The Festival of Us is about bringing everybody together and celebrating the Northern Territory – this is the place that we call home,” she says.

“We have an OzFusion component, which saw over 20 multicultural groups performing during that session at the festival last year, so that just goes to show that, within such a small population, so many different nationalities we have living in the Territory.”

The rest of the Territory and remote communities need not miss out, with Facebook live streaming taking place throughout the day. While the whole day is an annual highlight, McDonald says the free community dinner is a special highpoint.

“There’re hundreds and hundreds of people from all different nationalities, all different cultures, all enjoying this community meal. That to me is heartwarming. To me, it shows we’re doing a really great thing for the community on Australia Day.”.

Keep an eye out for the festival’s official program launch early December. McDonald encourages people to acknowledge the day that feels right for them.

“We understand that Australia Day means something different to everyone, and we encourage people to spend the day in a way that feels appropriate for them.”

OzRun
WHEN SUN 26 JAN | 6.30AM 
AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE & DARWIN WATERFRONT

Festival of Us
WHEN SUN 26 JAN | 11AM-8PM 
AT TERRITORY NETBALL STADIUM

INFO adcnt.org.au

^{Header, thumbnail & inset: David Hancock}