Latest news with #TopEnd
ABC News
4 days ago
- General
- ABC News
ABC News NT: Why so many Filipinos chose to call the NT home
ABC News NT ABC NEWS Watch Article share options Share this on Facebook Twitter Send this by Email Copy link WhatsApp Messenger News from where we live. ABC News NT brings you the day's news and original reporting from the Top End to Alice Springs, Uluru to Kakadu and outback communities. Presented by Kyle Dowling, plus Isabella Tolhurst, Olivana Lathouris and Mitchell Abram.
ABC News
4 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Filipinos are the NT's number one migrant community. Here's why so many call the territory home
On a Sunday evening in May, laughter can be heard from a group of Filipino locals embracing the Top End dry season at their local park. There's fried chicken, ukoy (Filipino deep-fried fritters) and plenty of sweet treats. "Every weekend there's an event," says Maria Lourdes Delin, who moved to Darwin from the Philippines in 2010. Here in the Northern Territory, Filipinos are the number one migrant community according to Australian Bureau of Statistics country of birth data. In every other Australian jurisdiction, that spot is held by English, Indian, Chinese or New Zealander migrants. So why do so many Filipinos choose to call the territory home? Gerald Danao, who grew up in the northern Philippines's Ilocos region, moved to Darwin in 2022 in one of the first cohorts of international students to migrate after COVID. The 41-year-old entomologist was looking for a place to complete his master's degree, when a friend convinced him of Darwin. "[They] knew that I wanted to grow old in a very relaxed life, a laid-back community, and be in a more tropical place," Mr Danao says. Beyond advancing his career, Mr Danao's move to Australia was also about finding acceptance as a gay man. He said being gay could be a "taboo" among many Filipino families. "I knew my family could be one of [those who disapprove] and it's going to be shocking," Mr Danao said. "When I arrived here I had the courage to actually be myself." Now on a graduate visa with a permanent job in environmental management, Mr Danao and his partner, who's also a skilled Filipino migrant, are committed to making the territory their forever home. "We need to be loyal now to NT because they are loyal to us, it should be a give and take relationship," he says. "We've decided to apply [for permanent residency] as soon as possible." For more than a century, Filipino migrants have come to the territory to fill gaps in local industries. The first wave began in 1895 when a small group of Filipinos became divers for the territory's now-iconic pearl industry. Then the White Australia policy's introduction in 1901 put a 70-plus-year limitation on non-European migration. After the policy's end in the 1970s, there was a second wave of Filipino migration with many school teachers moving to the NT. Another wave in the 80s coincided with the Family Reunion and Marriage Visa Scheme, which allowed people to bring family members or prospective spouses to Australia. Filipino Honorary Consul General for the NT, John Rivas says the territory is now seeing a fourth wave of migration with an influx of skilled workers and international students. "A lot [of the skilled workers] are in the building industry … but lately there has been an increase in the number of Filipinos working in the aged care and childcare industries," he says. For Nadine Lee, the history of Filipino migration to the NT is a story about her family lineage. Ms Lee's great grandfather, Antonio Cubillo, was one of the first Filipino pearl divers to come to Darwin in 1895. But it's Mr Cubillo's love story with a local Aboriginal Larrakia woman, Lily McKeddie, and the 10 children they had together that's created a legacy. "There's lots of Larrakia people with Filipino history and connections, and I think it does surprise people," Ms Cubillo says. As a fifth-generation descendent of the couple, Ms Lee says the Cubillo family has become one of biggest Larrakia-Filipino families in the NT. During the 90s Ms Lee's brother Gary wrote a play on the great-grandparents' love story titled 'Keep Him My Heart'. While the play was only performed six times, a book with the same title has recently been published. "Now we have a physical documentation on our ancestry. With all the children, it helps us figure out where we are in our family tree," Ms Lee says. President of the local NT Filipino Association, Emcille Wills, says Filipinos have lots to love about life in the Top End. "First of all geographically … the Philippines is so close to Darwin, the second is the climate and the third one I think is the camaraderie [of the local Filipino community]," she says. "Because Darwin is smaller compared to other states, there's only one organisation and we know most of the Filipinos, so we're quite connected." Mr Danao says the tight-knit nature of the local Filipino community has been a huge blessing. "I felt really relieved. I got a job in my first week, because of my Facebook post on the Filipino community [page]," Mr Danao says. "I owe them actually, I might not be here without them." Ms Wills says the association's goal is not just to connect with other Filipinos, but with the broader community. That includes having Filipino dances and music brought to a territory stage. "We managed to actually perform in the Darwin Festival, the Territory Day and it's never happened before. And it's not just the Filipino community, it's other cultures as well," she says.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Charlie King
Territorians are renowned for their love of sport; both as players and spectators. Football, Sepak Takraw, netball, you name it, they play it. Charlie King is in the thick of it all each weekend presenting Sporttalk and Grandstand, Northern Territory style. From 11 each Saturday, join Charlie King and the team with Sporttalk to discuss what's up your jumper this week. Whether it's sponsorship, crowd behaviour, or player suspensions, throw Sporttalk the ball and they'll run with it. Phone 8943 3113 or 1800 801 840 for your input. This is followed by comprehensive coverage of local, national and international sport, checking out the local sporting action with John Stokes, then crossing to Grandstand's AFL commentary team for the match of the day. Ian Butterworth reports live from weekend sporting events in the Top End while in Central Australia Paul Fitzsimons keeps us up to date around the regions of the NT. For Sunday sports fans we keep you updated throughout the afternoon with sports results as they happen. For the best seat in any stadium, it's Grandstand on ABC Radio Darwin and Territory Radio.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning to Aussie gardeners after string of deaths: 'People should be frightened'
Victims of a "life-changing" disease that has killed dozens of Aussies this year are urging others to stay vigilant, with those who spend time outdoors or tending to gardens at greatest risk. There have been 221 cases and 31 deaths from melioidosis in north Queensland this year, and authorities are scrambling to understand what brought on the sudden surge. James Schmidt, 54, is currently suffering from the disease which is caused by bacteria commonly found in soil and water in South East Asia and northern Australia. From a Townsville hospital bed he told Yahoo News he first noticed something wasn't right when he found an abscess in his glute. "I developed the abscess in early February and it was first treated with antibiotics," he said, detailing his diagnosis and battle to beat the disease. "I was then admitted to the hospital to have it drained. After being discharged, 24 hours later the infectious diseases ward rang me asking me to report back to the hospital. Pathology had found melioidosis," he explained, saying he had no idea he had it. James has since been fighting the life-threatening disease and faces a long recovery after suffering a spinal fracture from a seizure. The bacteria causing melioidosis live in soil and groundwater. The bacteria thrive in warm and humid areas, meaning those in North Queensland, the Top End of the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia are most at risk. Melioidosis increases with high rainfall and flooding and these conditions have driven the current outbreak in north Queensland. Another Townsville resident Scott Kirstenfeldt, 47, who previously worked in Casuarina in the Northern Territory and survived the disease twice — once in 1999 and 2002 — told Yahoo News he believes he was more susceptible to it as he worked as a groundskeeper for a large shopping complex and "did gardening at home". "If you are immune compromised with illness, have a cut or abrasion, or breathe in the bacteria it can infect your body in the area of initial infection and spread through the bloodstream if not treated quickly," Scott said. James confirmed to Yahoo he frequently maintained residential homes as part of his job as a disability home carer and it's likely he picked up the bacteria then. While Scott is wary of causing panic, he has issued an urgent plea to Aussies who live in the current hotspot and along the northern parts of the country to be wary of it. "Melioidosis is generally considered rare to catch... but people should be frightened, [it] is extremely dangerous and if not treated quickly will result in death from total organ failure," he said. "Imagine the worst cold or flu you've suffered from and multiply it by five... I don't know how to put into words how truly life-changing it is, and after you've been released from hospital it takes years to fully recover." The disease generally takes up to four weeks to establish itself, meaning many don't develop symptoms immediately once exposed. Symptoms include fever, headache, non-healing skin cores and seizures. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
What's on: BASS, bevvies and brekkies
WHAT'S ON THIS WEEKEND It's another huge weekend in the Top End, and if you're the type who likes to pack it all in: music, food, and a little spice – this one's for you! Today is all about BASSINTHEGRASS. Kicking off from 2pm down at Mindil Beach, this year's line-up brings Hilltop Hoods, The Jungle Giants, Meg Mac and more to Darwin's biggest music festival. A fun fact for you: BASS is one of the only music festivals that emerged in the early 2000s that is still standing. Think Falls, Splendour, Future Music Festival, Groovin the Moo, Soundwave, etc. And honestly, if there's a sunset over the water, under the palm trees, listening to live music? Why wouldn't you want to be part of it. Then, if you're game, I've seen that there is a Chilli Festival at Berry Springs Rec Reserve from 9am on Sunday. Make a day of it and head the back way to Litchfield for a swim, calling in for a chilli eating competition on the way, of course! There's even a best hot sauce in the Territory showdown. Another really great Sunday option: The Bloody Mary Book Club. I am notoriously terrible at book clubs because I never finish the book everyone else is reading at the same time - I'm either too slow cause I have heaps on, or I read it in one go and then have forgotten what it's about by the time we catch up (surely that's not just me?). So this idea piqued my interest: Instead of everyone having to read the same book, bring along whatever you're reading, or a favourite to share. The first hour is spent in silent reading, followed by a 30-minute session where everyone introduces their book. Then you get to discover what might be your next read, with a real-life review. Easy as that! The Bloody Mary Book Club is at The Last Supper in the Air Raid Arcade, Sunday from 2.45pm, and your ticket includes two bloody Marys. SOMEWHERE YOU NEED TO EAT If you haven't been to Besser Brew Bar yet, consider this your nudge. This tucked-away spot in the Winnellie Industrial area has gone from a local secret to a must-visit in recent years, and they've just launched a new menu. It's got some iterations of the favourites, and of course still includes the famed Chicken Laksa Burger — but with new additions like the Scrambled Hot Mess and the McBesser burger. The coffee is also great – so now's the time to revisit if it's been a while! LOCAL'S TIP As we get further into the Dry, you'll notice people throwing open their doors and bringing back the outdoor seating, so my local's tip for the weekend ahead: Poco Bar has reopened! One of Darwin's favourite little laneway hangouts is back, serving up great wines, a new cocktail list, and a brand new menu. Tucked away between Austin Lane and Cavenagh Street, in Spain Place, it's the perfect spot for a quiet drink or an after-work meet-up. They're open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 4pm.
