This morning we're joined on the Big Brekky Program by Sid Vashist, Mayor of the Barkly Regional Council, to talk about a significant issue currently being discussed at the Northern Territory Government level — the possible de-amalgamation of regional councils, including the Barkly.  

The idea of breaking larger councils back into smaller local governments is being explored, and it could have major implications for service delivery, governance, and community representation in remote regions.  

Mayor Vashist joins us to share the Barkly Regional Council’s perspective and provide some insight into what this could mean for the region.

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It's been a number of years since the Barkly Region has had an organised softball league or competition, despite the sport being hugely popular just a decade ago. 

Fortunately, earlier this year Softball NT board member Isadora Roberts relocated to Tennant Creek and her passion for the sport, coupled with funding support and the opening of the recently revamped Purkiss Reserve, has created the perfect storm for this sport to shine again in the Territory's Golden Heart.

Saransh Karnawat, State Operations Manager of Softball Northern Territory was in the Barkly last week to run some 'come try' session as well as to hold community consultation. He joined 8CCC's Big Brekky Program to fill us in on how that went and what the future holds for softball in the region.

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A well-known couple who have taught generations of local school students the thrill of the stage will soon bid the Red Centre farewell - but not before a farcical send-off, with the play Noises Off now showing at Totem Theatre.

8CCC Big Brekky host Kate Lyons-Dawson spoke to one half of the couple - Kristina Kidd - about the farce she has directed as the final production the Kidds will produce at the community theatre, one week in to a three-week season.

Her husband Steve is playing an old burglar (Selsdson Mowbray), in Kristina's version of a play first reviewed as 'the funniest play ever' when it first opened in London in 1982, and has attracted big crowds to the little theatre by Todd River.

Presented by the Alice Springs Theatre Group, Noises Off will be showing this weekend and next, on Saturday and Sunday nights at 7.30pm, plus a special Saturday matinee this week at 4.30pm.

Tickets are $30 (book online here), or via QR codes on posters aroung town, and are selling out fast.

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From the Royal Flying Doctor Service to delivering love letters across the desert, central Australia's aviators will be celebrated in the Flying Archies art exhibition at the Central Australian Aviation Museum this weekend.

8CCC Big Brekky presenter Kate Lyons-Dawson spoke Flying Archies coordinator Franca Frederiksen about this year's exhibition opening on Sunday at the museum at 6 Memorial Avenue.

The exhibition is both a nod to its 'big brother' - the Archibald Prize - which is currently on show at the Araluen Art Centre.

Entirely volunteer-run, the aviation museum is open from 11am from Wednesday to Sunday, and while entry is free, donations are welcome.

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A program teaching young people in Mparntwe-Alice Springs how to fix bicycles, as well as road safety on their bikes, is calling for people and businesses to help them expand into the Barkly.

8CCC Big Brekky host Kate Lyons-Dawson spoke to Alice Ross from Bikes Mwerre on Thursday morning about the program - which started just two years in the Red Centre - and its hopes to expand.

Alice said the program had grown out of a similar program in South Australia, and was now running workshops in Alice Springs with young people, school holiday programs and more.

She said the Bikes Mwerre group were looking for Barkly locals to help the program deliver workshops and training in Tennant Creek, from just fixing bikes to being positive mentors for the town's young people.

For more information or to contribute, click here.

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The countdown for the 2025 NT Writers Festival is now on in Mparntwe-Alice Springs, with just two weeks to go until the event kicks off in beautiful native scenery of Olive Pink Botanical Gardens.

Festival Artistic Director Louise Omer sat down with 8CCC Big Brekky host Kate Lyons-Dawson this mornning to talk all things Territory literature, and what NT Writers have plans for the biennial celebration in central Australia.

Events catering to the NT's literati and their fans will be held in town from Thursday May 29 through Sunday June , with the official opening on May 30 at 5pm in the botanic gardens.

Find out more about the festival here.

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Tennant Creek and Barkly residents will learn more about foetal alcohol spectrum disorder with Aboriginal health service Anyinginyi and an expert from Curtin University in town this Thursday.

8CCC Big Brekky presenter Shauna Upton spoke to Curtin University Medical School's Dr Robyn Williams alongside Anyinginyi Aboriginal Health Corporation's Molly Huntjens about FASD and the workshops on Wednesday morning.

The workshops will focus on culturally-appropriate practices on how people in the community can help children, adults and families impacted by FASD.

Dr Williams said FASD was a global health issue, but people impacted First Nations people, and the workshops - which are already fully booked - will provide more information about how to manage it, best to avoid its impact and how to help other family members deal with it.

For more information about FASD and what can be done to avoid and manage it, contact Anyinginyi on 8962 2633.

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The Big Brekky team went out during this year's Heritage Festival 2025, where Shaun Leyland has set up at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. He's hoping to continue demonstrations for the next few months. Listen to how the current blacksmith workshop has been set up.

Photo credits: Kelly Knights, Senior Park Ranger - Central Parks

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How important is artistic collaboration and mentorship? Stick Mob Studio's Alyssa Mason dropped into the 8CCC Big Brekky Show to tell us what Stick Mob have been up to and what the plans are for their launch as part of this year's NT Writer's Festival on 31 May at 2.30pm.

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A classic catalogue of central Australia's native flowers and plants is set to be reborn at a launch in Alice Springs this weekend, with new species painstakingly added to Dr Anne Urban's Wildflowers and Plants of Central Australia.

8CCC's The Big Brekky spoke to Barb Gilfedder about Dr Urban's botanical classic, and the launch of the first revised edition this Saturday at 3pm at Olive Pink Botanical Gardens.

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