Tennant Creek Australia Day event an ‘absolute hit’: Mayor Vashist

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More than 250 people turned out for Tennant Creek’s Australia Day Family Fun Day afternoon at Lake Mary-Ann-Tingkkarli on Sunday, enjoying a host of great events, despite a late thunderstorm cutting the day short.

The afternoon marked the return of the Barkly Regional Council-run Australia Day celebrations to the dam after some years being held at Council facilities in town, while Elliott saw a strong turn-out out for the town’s festivities.


It followed a successful Citizenship Ceremony in Council Chambers on Sunday morning, with almost 50 people turning out to see 11 new Australians take the Pledge of Allegiance.


The new citizens hailed from as far afield as India, Nepal and Vietnam, while long-time local community volunteers and leaders also received Australia Day Awards for their contributions across the Barkly.


Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist was joined by Barkly MLA Steve Edginton and Australia Day Ambassador Georgina ‘GB’ Bracken to oversee the formal ceremony, which was opened by a Welcome to Country performed by Shalee James and organised by Patta Aboriginal Corporation.


Warumungu Elder Aunty Rosemary Plummer OAM held back a sore throat to give a heartfelt speech about the region’s growing, diverse community, and her desire for all to overcome prejudice and respect and celebrate different cultures.


Out at the dam, new citizens mingled with Traditional Owners, and leaders, while the children enjoyed activities including several Egg N Spoon races, Three-Legged Races and a Colour Fun Run-turned good-humoured ‘colour fight’ afterwards.


Not even Council Chief Executive Officer Chris Kelly was immune from the colours flowing through the air as Council staff also got involved - it is understood his Akubra is still recovering.


Mayor Sid Vashist took to social media to celebrate the day, specifically labelling afternoon an “absolute hit” and thanking all sponsors, volunteers, council staff – and everyone who turned up – in making it is a success.


Unfortunately, a few events including the Tug ‘O’ War, Swim-Run-Swim and Kayak Races were unable to go ahead due to the looming thunderstorm and lightning activity nearby, but local resident Warren Sampson and Warumungu leader Marlene Plummer were still able to serve up some delicious Kangaroo Tails and Damper for those present.


Barkly residents who received Australia Day Awards over the weekend were: Young Citizen of the Year and volunteer firefighter Emma Dupovac; Citizen of the Year and Elliot community Aussie Rules leader Daniel Francis Sandy and Senior Citizen of the Year, Ampilatawatja Elder and Codes 4 Life leader, Frank Holmes.


The Barkly region’s Volunteer of the Year Award winner was jointly shared by the Tennant Creek branch of the Country Women’s Association, highlighting the CWA’s work putting together the booklet: Cyclone Tracy: They Came, They Did What They Could And Then More.


The booklet was released last year on the 50th Anniversary of the cyclone and tells the stories of Barkly residents who helped in the Top End during the recovery and re-building of Darwin after the 1974 cyclone.


Media Enquiries to: Barkly Regional Council Public Relations Officer: Daniel Burdon

E: daniel.burdon@barkly.nt.gov.au or M: 0409 628 272

Barky Regional Council seeks community feedback on Draft Regional Plan 2026-27

May 22, 2026
Barky Regional Council seeks community feedback on Draft Regional Plan 2026-27 Barkly Regional Council invites feedback from all community members on our Draft Regional Plan 2026–2027. Your input helps shape the future of our region. To access the document, please click on link below. BRC Regional Plan 2026-27 (Draft) for Public Consultation Feedback can be submitted by close of business Thursday 18 June 2026 via email: feedback@barkly.nt.gov.au.

Trash for a splash: pool cool-off with cash-in containers

March 5, 2026
Thursday 5 March 2026  The Barkly Regional Council (BRC) is making it easy for kids to stay cool in the pool before it closes for a few days at the end of the month to enable emergency maintenance. During March parents with children and youth under 16-years-old can ditch the cash and use a refundable container as an entry token. BRC CEO Peter Harder said the trash-for-splash deal means that kids can stay cool in the pool in exchange for helping to keep the town clean. “Closing the pool for a few days is going to be disappointing for locals, so until then we’re making it easier to spend as much time at the pool as possible,” he said. “It’s also a good lesson for young people to realise refundable cans and bottles are tradeable assets that support a circular economy. “Perhaps there won’t be so much litter on our streets when they see that rubbish that they walk over every day is actually worth money.” Mr Harder said Council would be monitoring the success of the March bin-to-win deal to measure the merit of the strategy. The swimming pool, which was built in the mid-1960s, has been a hot topic on the Council agenda for some time. The complex was significantly upgraded in 2015 however, due to funding limitations, not all works were completed. Now the pumps and filters are set to be replaced, and the March closure will deal with those priorities. Emergency maintenance work - amounting to $151,000 - will focus on restoring pump room equipment which has been funded by the NT Government following advocacy by the Member for Barkly Steve Edgington. Mr Harder said the Council appreciated Minister Edgington’s understanding of the critical situation at the pool and his proactive efforts to secure the funding for initial repairs. “We have now turned to Minister Edgington again to help secure funding for other high priority works,” he said. “Council urgently requires a further $2.5 million for new shade sails and to replace pipework that is at risk of imminent failure. “Minister Edginton has strong ties to the community, and we know he recognises the importance of our swimming pool; so we are confident he will advocate strongly for the next round of upgrades which are functional necessities, not luxuries.” -ENDS-

Disaster assistance activated for flood affected communities across Barkly

March 5, 2026
Wednesday 4 March 2026  Following concerted lobbying by the Barkly Regional Council (BRC) after a recent severe weather event, the Federal and NT Governments have activated disaster assistance for the Barkly region. A cost-sharing agreement between the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) supports the delivery of urgent financial assistance to disaster affected communities. A region-wide assessment to reveal the extent of the damage is currently underway. Once assessed, the Council will be able to restore essential public assets and infrastructure such as debris removal, temporary repairs, and works to make properties safe. Heavy rain and high winds that lashed the Barkly during February caused major damage to roads and other critical infrastructure. Days of torrential downpours isolated communities and pastoral stations and left many routes impassable. Residents of Imangara, who relocated to Ali Curung after their homes flooded, have still not been able to return. BRC CEO Peter Harder said the Council lobbied extensively for the activation of the DRFA to be able to access the funding required for repairs. “Intense rainfall and flash flooding across the region caused widespread damage to roads, community assets and critical infrastructure,” he said. “Now we must determine the full extent of the impacts so we can establish recovery priorities as soon as possible. “We are also hoping the DRFA will support Council to make our roads and communities more resilient to these types of events in the future." END
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