David Khoory from Catholic Care returned to the Tennant Creek studio this week to reflect on the “No More Empty Shoes” march held on Tuesday, 25 November.

The march began at the Northern Land Council office and continued to Peko Park, drawing strong support from the community. As part of the event, local organisations launched the “Stand Up, Speak Up” campaign in partnership with the Women’s Refuge, reinforcing a united stance against violence and hardship. A wide range of crisis-support services were also in attendance, demonstrating solidarity with those affected.

Khoory noted that some people described the event as sad, but he offered a different perspective. “No, it’s about hope,” he said, emphasising that the march was designed to inspire strength, visibility and community action.

The initiative continues to highlight the importance of standing together to create safer and more supportive environments for all.

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Jimmy Frank has shed light on the origins of the Wilya Janta housing program, a community-driven initiative that began two decades ago with a simple but powerful observation about fairness and living conditions.

The story traces back 20 years, when Frank’s brother, Norman, was working as a truck driver and living with his family in a tin shed. Their daily reality included walking 50 metres to reach a toilet and travelling a block to access a shower. Around the same time, a new doctor moved into town and was immediately offered a fully furnished, air-conditioned home.

Frank said the contrast felt unjust, prompting conversations within the family and community about the need for better, culturally appropriate housing. “It just wasn’t right,” he reflected.

This sparked a long-term effort to design durable, climate-appropriate homes for local families. Frank and others began consulting architects and builders, researching materials suited to the harsh environment and future challenges such as rising temperatures and the impacts of global warming.

After years of planning, advocacy and collaboration, their vision began to take shape. The Wilya Janta housing program—developed with a focus on both environmental sustainability and community needs—finally started coming to life about four years ago.

Today, the program stands as a testament to the determination of those who believed that everyone deserves a safe, comfortable and dignified place to call home.

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Jet Nikitina-Li, Director at Watch this Space spoke to the Brekky Show about this Friday's Lofty Awards and the opening of the member's show Forever which will be open for viewing and sales on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm. They've just announced the music lineup - Goodfullahz, Big J and Tommy Gunn! Join in the fun, celebration, good food and good company down at Watch This Space 28 November from 5pm.

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Artistic Director Lynne Hanton OAM, founder of the Australian Dance Academy in 1974 and the ballet company, known today as Duprada Dance Company in 1984, has been awarded in two award categories at this year's NT Performing Arts Awards - for Inspiring Educator and Ultimate Legend. Speaking with 8CCC's Kate Lyons-Dawson about the journey she took to the awards, Lynne shared some of her own inspiration and philosophy for approaching the challenging world of dance. To get a sense of all the hard work behind Lynne and Duprada, you can experience the performance of Peter Pan on 28 & 29 November at Araluen Arts Centre.

The 2025 NTPAAs, held on18 November 2025 at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre (GYRACC) in Katherine honoured artistic excellence and community impact across the Northern Territory’s performing arts industry, spanning theatre, dance, music, circus, and comedy.

All photos: Georgia Politis Photography

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Local architect Owen Kelly, Director of Dogspike Design & Architecture, tackled the big issues that are at the heart of keeping your home cool and comfortable, insulation and thermal mass. Owen visited the Brekky Show ahead of the rising summer temperatures, to talk about different approaches and resources for designing new buildings or retrofitting sub par homes in the arid centre and top end. Some resources come from Housing for Health, and Your Home the government site Owen mentions.

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Isadora Roberts, a member of the Sports Development Team, has been actively introducing and coordinating new sporting competitions for Indigenous and wider community groups throughout the Barkly Region. 

The team recently concluded a successful softball program across the region, and Roberts is now exploring partnerships with NT NRL and Touch Football NT to launch new Rugby League and Touch Football programs. These developments will be supported by NT NRL General Manager Tony Crowe, whose involvement is expected to strengthen program delivery and community engagement.

With these collaborations taking shape, major new sports development initiatives are planned for the near future, signalling continued growth in community sporting opportunities.

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Artist and award-winning tour guide, Anna Dakin runs Art Tours of Australia, taking small group tours in Central Australia that specialise in making art outdoors into some of the best and most remote places in the Red Centre. She visited 8CCC Brekky Show to talk about the free watercolour postcard program supported by Alice Springs Town Council and the exciting news of her boutique swag camp out near White Gums, currently being developed. 

Dakin was awarded Top Tour Guide in the Northern Territory in 2022, and won silver at the Australian Top Tourism Awards for her guiding work.

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Artback NT CEO Michelle Bell spoke with Brekky host Kate Lyons-Dawson about the celebrations for their 30th birthday and some of the achievements and initiatives they've had over the decades, including Spark and the Emerging Producers Program. On Friday 21 November at Brown's Mart, Darwin there'll be hosting a night of fun, talent and reflection, MC’d by Lisa Pellegrino and featuring Dr. Shellie Morris AO, Melanie Mununggurr, Kuya James, ZaZa Zoo ft. Juran & Caiti Baker, Constantina Bush, Vogue MegaQueen, Sherri-Lee Volua & Sunting Wong.

For anyone not able to make it, send a birthday message here.

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Nick Tebbey, National Executive Officer for Relationships Australia, had a chat on the Brekky Show after the Mparntwe Alice Springs launch of Neighbours Every Day 2026 theme - Belonging Every Day. Neighbours and a range of community organisations came together to talk about the work they do to foster a better neighbourhood.

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Alice Kings is a collective of young, predominately Indigenous MC’s from Mparntwe Alice Springs, featuring IllMatty, King O, Brotha Blinky, Rian & Russell. Ranging from 7 to 12 years old they rap about things they know and kids can relate to. All but Osama dropped into the 8CCC studio to talk with Kate about making their album Young Prodigies, out today! Listen to the crew about writing rap and IllMatty making all their Alice Kings music videos - Check out Let Me Be! Filmed by DJ Kappakakee and edited by IllMatty. Sick!

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