Locals and tourists celebrated Territory Day in style with 19 free events held in regional and remote towns from the Top End to the Red Centre. Celebrations included concerts, impressive fireworks shows, and even a flyover by a RAAF F-35 jet in Darwin. Mindil Beach was the place to be in Darwin with Arnhem Land band Wildfire Manwurrk and Battle of the School Bands winners Nhulunbuy High School’s QWYA and Casuarina Secondary College duo Reverie taking to the stage before blues rock royalty Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows entertained the crowd. The evening was capped off by a 15-minute fireworks display, which captivated the thousands of people who gathered to celebrate all that makes the Territory a unique and beautiful place to live. In Alice Springs, poor weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the community. Rock band Wolfpack Amadeus got the festivities started at Marian Centre, OLSH Sadadeen Campus, and later that evening more than 500 cars packed with families and friends parked at Blatherskite Park, much like a drive-in cinema, to watch the fireworks display from the comfort of their vehicles. People were also encouraged to share an image of someone in ‘The People Make the Place’, competition to recognise Territorians who embody the NT and help make this place we call home so unique and amazing. Territorians gather each year on July 1 to celebrate the NT gaining self-governance in 1978 from the Commonwealth Government, with 2023 marking 45 years since the momentous occasion. Territory Day 1 july 2023 36