Issue 25

Desert Mob, now in its 23^rd consecutive year, is Central Australia’s leading art exhibition claiming national and even international attention. But if you were been looking for an exploration of the work on its walls, of formal practice and aesthetic choices, then the Desert Mob Symposium (last September 6), was not the place to find it. Titled Faces, Places, Spaces it was not immediately concerned with the exhibition, but with art production as a socially valuable activity. ANNA GEORGIA MACKAY reflects upon the day. Pictured: Ngamaru Bidu, Nola Taylor, Muuki Taylor and Gabrielle Sullivan during the Martumili Artists presentation.

The core inspiration for the Mbantua Festival arose from its site at the Old Telegraph Station. The ideas flowed as soon as it was chosen, says Rachel Perkins. One story to tell was immediately obvious – that of children of mixed Aboriginal descent removed from their families, most of them forcibly, who lived on the site. The theatrical production, Bungalow Song, will be one of the festival highlights later this week. KIERAN FINNANE speaks to Rachel Perkins. Pictured: Perkins with some of the cast on site. Photo by Alexandra Hullah.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The public deserves to know the contents of secret reports the open speed limit, writes Gerry McCarthy, Shadow Minister for Transport.

Alice Springs now has two Australian dirt kart champions, but the big winner at the national titles was clearly the town. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

The government has replaced a home buyers’ insurance with no home buyers’ insurance. This is the main beef of more than 50 small builders and “subbies” in Alice Springs who are still at loggerheads with their representative body, the Master Builders NT, over the new fidelity scheme, set up to protect consumers.

PHOTO: Painter Kodie Bennett working on the extensions to the Old Timers Village yesterday.

It's the opposite to how it often is in life: In karting if you stay in front, you stay clean.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

During September more than 100 Bushtracker Caravans converging on Alice Springs and District.

Most days after 5pm Todd Mall is largely deserted. Not yesterday though ...

Far from addressing matters to do with the recent activities of Geoff Booth, the only question from the public put to councillors last Monday was about how council could address “the underlying causes of poverty and disadvantage in our community”. The questioner said it would be a “win-win” way of tackling anti-social behaviour and wanted to know what vision Councillor Jade Kudrenko (pictured) had for council’s role.  KIERAN FINNANE reports.

The search for the third offender in the gang rapes of the European tourists 

“I was only in the front seat. Have you got Bruce yet?” These were among the very few words said by convicted rapist Norman Kernan to police after his arrest. They may contain a clue as to the identity of the third offender in the gang rapes of two European tourists in May last year. KIERAN FINNANE reports.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Onshore gas is a potential game-changer in the Northern Territory with potential reserves of unconventional gas totaling about 240 trillion cubic feet spread across six basins, write Chief Minister Adam Giles (at left) and Mines Minister Willem Westra Van Holthe (at right). We asked them what role they expect fracking to have in this development process.

Rogue bureaucrats were at it again in Todd Mall today, in their pencil skirts and pin-striped blouses, markers and whiteboard in tow. They were collecting ideas, any ideas for an agenda … a meeting would be held soon … a meeting of important people … Kieran Finnane happened to be passing by.