Latest news with #Darwin
News.com.au
an hour ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan has offered a frank reflection on a crippling 18 months that has seen his title-winning team slip to last in the Supercars standings. After a fairytale start to the Gen3 era, which saw Erebus win both the drivers' and teams' titles in 2023, the squad has endured a string of well-publicised internal struggles. Will Brown defected to Triple Eight at the end of 2023, while reigning champion Brodie Kostecki missed the start of the 2024 season while in dispute with the team, which coincided with big name sponsors such as Coca-Cola walking away. Kostecki would later return and win the Bathurst 1000, however left to Dick Johnson Racing at the end of last season – along with both Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore. Team principal Brad Tremain also left the squad at the end of 2024 with plans to pursue an opportunity in IndyCar in the US. That has prompted a significant, and ongoing, internal rebuild, highlighted by Ryan himself needing to take the race engineer role on Jack Le Brocq's car. It's been tough going for Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cooper Murray, too, with Erebus slumping to last in the teams' standings ahead of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown. 'There's no hiding behind it; the last 18 months have been really hard on our team. Really hard,' said Ryan at Hidden Valley on Friday. 'Losing key people … our last rebuild was 2021 and we got Brodie and Will and no one believed, really, in that. And we won a championship two years later, and we won Bathurst the year after. 'We've gone back to where we were [in 2021]. 'It's hard on the team. To replace people like George, Tom and Brodie is really hard. Brad Tremain is going to kick goals in America. That's four key people out of the team, it's really tough to replace that. 'It's going to take time. We can't hide behind that. I can only do so much and the boys that I've had there for six, seven years can only do so much. 'Unfortunately I'm still race engineering, and I say that because I shouldn't be. I should be running the business. But until we can get the right person to do that role; we're trying to self-promote from within, we're trying to find an engineer we can just put in and be really successful. 'It's a balancing act and I can't say I'm really enjoying it. We got to a point where we were beating Triple Eight and we wanted to be that team that was the best year in, year out. 'Massive respect to Roland Dane for what he did for that whole time he was there, and what they're still doing. We got there and we just couldn't keep the momentum. 'No matter what everyone thinks the reason is why. We just couldn't keep that momentum that teams like that can do. 'Anyway, it's a lesson learned, this whole situation. We'll try not to go through it again. 'We'll get there again. We're confident in our team. We've got a great bunch of loyal staff that want to stay on and want to see us get there again and win championships and Bathursts. 'We're still going to go to Bathurst trying to win there this year. We'll have the belief and we'll have the drivers than can do it.' Erebus showed signs of improvement on track on Friday, with Murray 11th in the second practice session and Le Brocq in 19th as Andre Heimgartner led the way for Brad Jones Racing ahead of Ryan Wood and Will Brown.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Wood on fire in sizzling Darwin Supercars practice
Ryan Wood has scorched the Supercars field to set the fastest time in the first practice session in Darwin. The Walkinshaw Andretti United youngster outpaced nearest challenger Broc Feeney by more than two-tenths of a second in the Top End dry-season heat on Friday. Wood set the best lap of one minute and 7.059 seconds, with championship-leader Feeney 0.265 seconds behind and Triple Eight teammate Will Brown another hundredth of a second behind him in third. Drivers tested the limits of Hidden Valley's challenging 2.9km circuit, with several racers overshooting the long, loopy left-hander at turn one. A patch of parched grass at the end of the turn was set alight after Brown ran his Camaro off towards the end of the session. That's one for the Darwin bingo 🔥Follow along this weekend from our NEW Live Insights here 👉 #Supercars — Supercars (@supercars) June 20, 2025 With temperatures expected to run into the 30s throughout the weekend - and up to 50C inside cars - drivers' endurance will be as much of a challenge as keeping their cars running. Feeney was the first driver to run off on the first turn at the end of the 1.1km straight, but recovered to set a speedy lap time that had him at the top of the totem for most of the session. The 22-year-old won the last two races in Perth and showed promising pace as he looks to extend his 72-point gap at the top of the leaderboard at the track he won two races at last year. Teenage wildcard entrant Rylan Gray, Matt Stone Racing veteran Nick Percat and Tickford's Cam Waters also took excursions off the track on turn one, while Andre Heimgartner battled to hold onto control of his lively Camaro on several occasions. Drivers will return for the final practice session at 2.55pm (ACST) on Friday, ahead of Saturday's back-to-back qualifying sessions. Two 120km races will follow qualifying on Saturday, before the final 200km race of the weekend on Sunday.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Couple slammed for letting kids play dangerously close to crocodile infested waters in Darwin
A couple has come under fire online after posting a video showing their children playing dangerously close to waters known to be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles. The footage was taken at the Mangrove Boardwalk, a raised aluminium walkway about 10 minutes from Darwin, which runs directly through crocodile territory. While the boardwalk is elevated and appears safe, the video shows one of the children standing on the guard rail, leaning over the edge and peering into the water. Viewers were quick to point out the serious risk. 'Wouldn't have your kid hanging over the edge like that, crocodile food,' one person commented. 'Some saltwater crocodiles are capable of leaping up to two meters,' another viewer warned. 'I wouldn't let my children hang over the rails. Have you seen how high crocodiles jump?' added another. The City of Darwin has previously warned that while the Mangrove Boardwalk is a popular attraction, the wildlife must be respected. 'Any body of water in the Top End, including Darwin Harbour, may contain large and potentially dangerous crocodiles,' a spokesperson said. 'People are advised to be crocwise and adhere to crocwise warnings at all times.' The boardwalk is designed to accommodate tidal flow, with signs warning that water levels can vary, but that hasn't stopped some visitors from underestimating the risks. Crocodiles aren't the only threat in the area. The waters around the boardwalk are also home to the world's most venomous animal, the box jellyfish, which can kill a child in minutes if enough tentacles make contact. While crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory are relatively rare, they do happen. Between 1979 and 2022, there were 76 recorded attacks, 30 per cent of them fatal. The region is home to an estimated 100,000 saltwater crocodiles.
ABC News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Celebrated composer Richard Mills AO to take the helm of Darwin Symphony Orchestra
An internationally-acclaimed conductor and composer, best known in Australia for reorchestrating the ABC's news theme, is set to take the helm of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO). In a significant coup, Richard Mills AO will become the orchestra's new artistic director from its 2026 season. The Toowoomba-raised musical visionary is best celebrated for operas Batavia and The Love of the Nightingale, that won him two Helpmann awards. But Mills's reorchestrating of Charles Williams's Majestic Fanfare is perhaps what he's best known for nationally, with the work becoming synonymous with the ABC's radio news. "It's symbolic. The power of the tune was such that: 'be quiet — shut up kids, here comes the news', you know," Mills told media in 1988. Opera Australia head of music Tahu Matheson described Mills as "one of the most important people in the Australian musical scene". "I think it's incredibly significant to have a man of this stature coming to take over this orchestra," he said. "He comes with a wealth of experience that's second to none. "If he has grand ideas, he will turn them into reality. "He will bring a stature and a prominence to the [Darwin Symphony] orchestra that I think will not have happened before." Speaking to the ABC on an empty stage at the Darwin Entertainment Centre, Mills shrugged off these significant successes. "It's important to look at the future, not at the past," Mills said of his extensive body of work. "I have had a wonderful life, but now is the time to contribute." Mills's DSO appointment sets the scene for the Northern Territory's unique First Nations cultures to be shared with the rest of the country and the world. "We'll be looking north to make work with Indonesia, with Dili and with Melanesia," Mills said. The sky is the limit in terms of what form that collaboration could take. "We'll be looking to manifest that work both in media and in physical presence in other places, because the Darwin Symphony Orchestra has the potential," Mills said. It's an exciting prospect for the 18 paid principal artists and more than 60 volunteers that make up the orchestra. DSO chair Claire Kilgariff described the orchestra as unlike any other in Australia, and one that was embedded in its community. "What we can offer Richard is the opportunity to explore things in a different way, that perhaps he may not have the opportunity to do in the southern states," she said. "We all know that music is the thing that connects people and Richard firmly believes in this." For Mills, the position will be centred on community service. "Music has always given that sense of spiritual enrichment and that's why it's very important in a community," Mills said. He believes that's what keeps the musical greats like Beethoven and Brahms evergreen. "The thirst for beauty and the thirst for hope are constants of the human condition," Mills said. "When you play a great work, for that moment, everything checks out … and this gives people hope. Richard Mills will take up the baton from outgoing DSO artistic director Jonathan Tooby next year.
News.com.au
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Celebrate Territory Day at Mindil Beach Casino Resort
This Territory Day, Mindil Beach Casino Resort is lighting up the night with a celebration designed for the whole family. On Tuesday, July 1, the iconic beachfront venue will transform into a vibrant, carnivale-themed celebration, tying into the venue's exciting Casino Carnivale promotion. For just $35, your ticket includes food, quality entertainment, and a relaxed spot to enjoy the show. Whether you're craving something savoury, sweet, or uniquely Territory-inspired, there'll be delicious delights to please every palate. In a refreshing twist from previous years, this year's Territory Day event is all about community connection and family fun. With a strong focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, it's the perfect way to come together and celebrate what makes the Territory special. For those seeking a relaxed area to watch the fireworks, the 18+ beer garden is the place to be - set on the beachside lawns with great views of all the action on the beach. Entertainment will keep the vibe lively all afternoon and into the evening, with performers taking the stage to bring the festive spirit to life. For families, the relaxed setting means there's room to roam, enjoy a bite to eat, and soak up the atmosphere. Children aged 3 and under enter free, making it an affordable and easy night out for families of all sizes. A mix of seating will be provided, but guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic rugs for the best views and a comfortable evening on the lawns as the fireworks light up the sky.
