Bushranger
Grange is overrated
A CBD itinerant made his way to one of the top floors of the Charles Darwin Centre this week in search of a drink in the middle of the day. The brazen unescorted visitor managed to slip into a boardroom without staff noticing and take a $30 bottle of white wine. He was on his way back up for seconds when he was caught. And if getting that far up the building without being noticed wasn’t enough, and also the extent some will go to source alcohol, he walked past a case of Grange, which averages around $1000 a bottle.
Gold is worthy
A YOUNG man gracing Territory screens has got people talking. Fraser Goldsworthy, who is based in Canberra, has started reading the news for Southern Cross and is appearing on Channel 7. Most of those who preceded him weren’t much chop but young Fraser appears to have what it takes. He comes from solid political stock. His father is
Mark Goldsworthy, who has been a South Australian Liberal MP since 2002. He is retiring from politics this month after the SA election. Perhaps if Fraser doesn’t end up making it as a newsreader, we can watch out for him in politics somewhere, sometime.
Punching above its weight
THE Northern Territory Government is investing $5.5 million in Tennant Creek tourism to “improve the visitor experience”.
Bushie wonders if the videos doing the rounds (excuse the pun) of vicious fist fights on the streets of Tennant Creek will enhance the experience.
Bloated much?
THE Territory Government’s response to the royal commission into youth detention was, needless to say, a pretty big story this week. But most think ABC Darwin’s decision to send four journalists and two cameramen to the Territory Families Minister’s press conference to announce their findings was overkill. While the response needed comprehensive coverage, surely there was also some other local happenings that needed some attention from your taxpayer-funded news outlet.
Copping a spray
THE Smith St Mall erupted into laughter on Friday as the Queen’s Baton Relay made its way through town. As batonbearer Alicia
Kent walked down the mall, she was surrounded by NT Police. One almost got a drenching as he stepped forward and the fountain shot up in front of him. Luckily his TRG training meant his reflexes were quick and he was able to jump out of the way.
Gab fest
WE all know the Territory’s population decline is a big problem that needs to be addressed by the Territory Government. Well, someone may want to attend the Australian Population Association’s 19th biennial conference, which will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre from July 18-20.
Territory roots
WELL-KNOWN reporter/TV presenter/social commentator Lee Lin Chin was keen to remind her followers on Twitter about her journalistic roots this week. She said news outlets often report she has been working in the industry for 28 years when in fact she began long before that. Like so many big-name journalists, she cut her teeth in Darwin, among other places. You tell ‘em.
On ya bike
IT hosts the world’s most famous bike race – the Tour de France – but Defence Department officials decided it was best to ship bicycles from Australia for engineers and architects working on the submarine project in France. Department spokesman
Kim Gillis told a Senate estimates hearing about 20 bicycles were purchased in Australia and shipped to France for workers to ride, along with 180 tonnes of material to set up an Australian office at the Naval Group shipyard.
WORST PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
News that a report found some Territory Families staff believed culture should be given priority over child protection concerns is shocking. Ask any decent parent what has priority over a child’s welfare and they will give you the only right answer — nothing.