This month sees the opening of stage one of CDU’s Indonesian Garden. The project, launched in 2005 as part of an Indonesian cultural week, sets out to create a cultural, educational and recreational resource for the University and the wider Australian and Indonesian communities.

The winning entry in this year’s Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Danie Mellor’s From Rite to Ritual, has proved to be a controversial decision. You can judge for yourself – and also vote for the public’s choice – at the Museum and Art Gallery where the finalists’ entries are on display until 25 October.

August is Seniors Month and the calendar is full of a variety of activities to whet the appetite. U3A Darwin’s activity is a tour of the Aviation Heritage Museum at Winnellie.

Girl Guides Australia has already started planning its celebrations to mark the centenary of guiding in Australia in 2010, and would like to make contact with as many former members as possible in order to invite them to take part in the festivities.

If you would like details of the events that are coming up, call 8981 3628 or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The 600-mile Darwin to Ambon yacht race was held annually from 1976 to 1998 when regional political instability caused that year’s event to be cancelled. In 2007, the race was revived under the auspices of the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association, and this year the yachts will be assembling on the harbour for the start of the race at 11am on 18 July.

For more details click here.

As Judith has mentioned, the Royal Darwin Show takes place this month, and it promises to have more competitions, exhibits and displays than ever before. The Show opens its doors at 10am on 23 July and runs for three days at the Darwin Showgrounds, Stuart Highway. Entry is $10 with an aged concession card.

For further information, call 8984 3091 or click here.

Mindil Beach market will have extended opening hours later in the month when it will be operating from 10am to 10pm on 19 July in conjunction with the combined Darwin Lions Clubs’ 35th Annual Beer Can Regatta.

The Parks and Wildlife Department has a wide range of walks and talks on offer this Dry, both in the Darwin area and further afield in places such as Fogg Dam and Litchfield Park.

In medieval times in Europe, Freedom of Entry to a City underlined the bonds of friendship between citizens and an armed force and carried with it the expectation that the armed body accorded the honour would help protect the city.

Just a reminder: it is now obligatory to have your driver licence with you whenever you are driving in the Territory.

The program for Darwin Festival will be available from 8 July, and you can book places for the events taking place from 9 July.

Each year Diabetes Australia uses National Diabetes Week to raise awareness about diabetes and to educate the public of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and how it can be prevented.