NT

Geoff Helisma. It wasn’t too long ago, Dheran Young was kicking a football around a vacant lot in Young Street, Wooloweyah, along with a lot of other kids from the neighbourhood – on Saturday September 11, Mr Young, 33, was elected to the Northern Territory Government as the Member for Daly.

After the bitter disappointment of not being able to have a concert last year, there was an extra level of anticipation as an audience of several hundred family and friends gathered on the north oval in preparation for an evening of performances by the students with the theme “Books Alive”.

Pam Dillon. Four schools came together to battle it out on the soft-ball field in Tennant Creek for the Annual Barkly Region Central Softball Cup ... As all teams had won a game, a countback of runs for and against had to be done to decide who was going to play in the grand final.

Nancy Schmidt, who was fondly known as Aunty Nancy because she was such a lovely mumma to everyone, leaves a legacy of kindness and compassion, and a trail of goodwill. Nancy’s story began in the Central Desert, west of Alice Springs where she lived with her Aboriginal family until she was taken away by authorities and sent to the Bungalow in Alice Springs. When the Government handed over care of all Aboriginal children to missionaries, Nancy was transferred to the Methodist Mission on Goulburn Island and then on to Croker Island along with other children who were members of what has become the Stolen Generation.

Karen Harlan. Picnic Day weekend was no picnic at Tennant Creek Speedway, it was fast-paced, action-packed racing. With two titles up for grabs competitors from Katherine and Darwin ventured into town to take on the local drivers. Tennant Creek was holding the Street Stock Annual 60-Lapper and their new title event of North vs South for the NT Sedans.

Macquarie has sold its 105,000 hectare Lawson Grains portfolio for more than half a billion dollars to Sydney-based New Forests and Canada’s Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo). The portfolio comprises more than 70 assets – or 10 aggregations – across Western Australia and New South Wales that Macquarie Agriculture had collected since the fund’s launch in 2012.

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility and Territorians are being encouraged to join the conversation with the community consultation now open on the Northern Territory’s livestock biosecurity laws.

Following some threatening fire seasons, the Territory Government allocated $2 million towards updating firefighting infrastructure to keep lives and properties safe. Recently, two new 350,000 litre water tanks were installed at both Batchelor and Hughes Airstrips, costing $150,000.

Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation is now offering supermarket vouchers for all Aboriginal community members who are double jabbed against COVID-19. The $25 IGA Supermarket food vouchers are now available to collect for eligible residents one day after they receive their second dose.

There was nothing soft about this comp! After a successful albeit last minute round up, the reviews are in and there are calls for the AAI Softball Tournament to become an annual shin-dig.

As National Cabinet prepares to meet, farmers have accused state premiers of ‘arrogance’ over border arrangements, saying they seem to have forgotten that growing food and fibre is essential to public health. The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on National Cabinet to recommit to the National Agriculture Workers Code and focus on quarantine solutions for ag workers as a bumper grain harvest looms.

This week there was an amazing demonstration of kindness and selflessness from Tennant Creek youth which deserves to be widely acknowledged. Three young girls, Nichole Konedaris, Kirra Carse and Kamryn Piper surprised the Barkly Veterinary Practice with a huge donation of pet supplies, including food, toys, treats, blankets and bedding for animals undergoing veterinary care in town.

After listening to a presentation on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 by Syed Jan from Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, the Elders enjoyed a delicious lunch sponsored by local MLA Steve Edgington.

The Territory Labor Government has released the first Closing the Gap NT Implementation Plan in partnership with Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT and Local Government Association NT.

Hear from the candidates for the upcoming Barkly Regional Council elections: Brian Coleman; Hal Ruger; Jeffrey McLaughlin; Dianne Stokes; Greg Marlow; Karan Hayward; Kelly White; and Catherine Grimley.

Pam Dillon. Students from Tennant Creek Primary and High School took to the beautiful surroundings of Lake Mary Ann for their cross country races. The run took them along the water’s edge, up steep hills and along dusty paths.

Two teenagers have been arrested for the arson attack on the Peko Park public toilet earlier this week ... Barkly Regional Council CEO Steve Moore said enough is enough. “We have had our supermarket burned down, now our public toilets, what next? How long before someone is injured or killed?"