For over 20 years, Meimei Dry has been volunteering at Uniting Church Op Shop in Alice Springs and has been described as compassionate and kind, ensuring dignity and care for those in need and supporting fellow volunteers. Her selfless service has been recognised by being awarded the Chief Minister's Volunteer of 2026 for Central Australia, in this year's Volunteering NT awards. She joined us on the Big Brekky Show to share what has drawn her to volunteering and the Op Shop.

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Camille Dobson dropped into 8CCC Brekky Show in the lead up to the Desert People's NAIDOC Celebration on 8th July 2026. Kicking off at 10am the day includes damper and roo tail cooking, local markets, and a language panel. There'll be kids activities and a chance to learn some local languages - Arrernte, Luritja Pintupi and Walpiri, as well as live music and the Simpson Desert Dancers. Register your interest in having a market stall or to find out more - [email protected]

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Jarrod Wall has been an outstanding volunteer with the Alice Springs Rural Volunteer Fire Brigade and in just over a year has strengthened the brigade's capability and readiness. He spoke on 8CCC Big Brekky about his role as Secretary, what a great team they make and why he volunteered. Taking out this year's NTES Emergency Services Volunteer of the Year award, recognises Jarrod's dedication and genuine passion for service. So inspired, he has also now joined SES!

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Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Adam Bandt has been in the NT to visit communities and find out more about the fracking projects and see for himself the impact of buffel. He spoke on 8CCC Big Brekky about the ACF's concerns for what the NT Government have approved, including importing of buffel seed into Alice Springs region and fracking in the Beetaloo Basin which he believes will negatively impact our fragile climate. Later in the day he held a press conference, in collaboration with Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) spokesperson Kathleen Herbert outside the NT Minister for the Environment, Josh Burgoyne's office

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8CCC Brekky Show caught up with Mparntwe Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill post June Council Meeting to talk through some of the highlights of this month's session. The Council has adopted the Municipal Plan and Budget, which means that the Council Chamber's tech can now be upgraded for future streaming and recording. We talked about the community consultation around the Plan and how this will be fed back into Council motions and processes. Mayor Hill also announced the engagement of Renew Australia to augment the revitalisation of the Mall and kickstart bringing vibrant businesses and activity into the CBD. The Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030 has been adopted and additional measures to support homelessness has been endorsed. The question on the felling of a sacred tree on South Terrace in question time has been the catalyst for Council to review the processes around sacred sites.

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Local architect, Bobbie Bayley visited 8CCC Brekky show to announce the first event in the Mparntwe Speaks series for 2026: a deep dive into climate adaptation and energy retrofits in Aboriginal housing from the RACE to 2030 project. Join Clayton Reeves and Phil Hespe from the SA Remote and Aboriginal Housing Team as they unpack this landmark project—bringing together the work from South Australian Housing Authority, University of South Australia, the SA Department for Energy and Mining, and 15 industry partners under the RACE to 2030 banner. Launched in December 2023, the final report for the pilot is out now. Findings from the project are already being implemented!

Join Mparntwe Speaks tonight, Thursday18 June, 6pm at Hartley Street School Museum with snacks and drinks provided.

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Franca Fredericksen, President at Central Australian Aviation Museum (CAAM), came on air with 8CCC Brekky to chat about this year's Flying Archies awards. Opening this Wednesday 17 June from 5.30pm, come along to have your chance to vote for the People's Choice worth $500, while you take in the exhibition amongst the extraordinary backdrop of the aircraft display. The exhibition continues until 4pm Sunday 5 July where you'll hear the winners announcement. The museum is open Wednesdays from 11am - 2pm (doors close 3pm).

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General Manager at Alice Springs Cinema, René Sutton visited 8CCC Brekky Show to unpack the inaugural inclusion of Alice Springs in this year's National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA), and update us on their screenings over the next few weeks. There'll be more Indian films, the school holiday picks including Toy Story 5 and this month's 4pm Craft-a-noon on 28 June - How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days!

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Liz Jok joined the MCSCA team at the beginning of 2026, from Melbourne & her background is in International Studies. Liz is excited to be part of this year's Big Day Out In Harmony (BDOIH) celebrations, assisting performers in the green room & also staffing the MCSCA stall to speak to people about MCSCA's role in the settlement space. She visited 8CCC Brekky Show with the Desert Paradise performance group, Matilda, Kyra, Manaia and Kalaea, and their chief organiser, costume designer, teacher and choreographer, Maria Faatauvaa, representing the Pacific Islands communities.

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Shihab Rahman has 18 years of educational experience, working as a teacher in India, Kuwait and Australia and joined the MCSCA Board in 2025. He was on 8CCC Brekky Show to chat about this year's Big Day Out In Harmony and support the performers. Thamanna Shihab is a member of the Indian Semi Classical Dance group - Alice Springs Malayalee Association (AMA) performance, who has previously been on the show to talk about her acting role in the short film, First Drop. She was joined by fellow AMA performer Jenelia Subeesh, who also performs with Team J Dance, a group of girls who came together and formed a group and started performing last year in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. The group has five girls - Jennifer, Jenelia, Julia (3 sisters) and Malavika and Madhvi, who have been dancing from the age of 3 and have been a professional dance group from the age of 10. J Dance have participated in many dance competitions in both Australia & the UK, winning second prize in Australia’s biggest Indian dance competition, DANCE 4 OZ (2026). The group performs different styles of dancing including: Indian Bollywood, classical, hip hop, jazz and contemporary. Jenelia also performs with the dance group, GUTS, at Araluen Arts Centre.

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