I am glad we came to the Northern Territory in 1975. The NT has been a great home. Our times spent at Numbulwar, Angurugu, Nhulunbuy and since 1987, Darwin have offered a different but unique lifestyle and career chances that would have been possible elsewhere in Australia.

In turn, I feel we have reciprocated through our contributions to the Territory.

That said, I cannot but despair at the direction in which our Territory seems – to a now-old Territorian – to be heading in the critical areas of life and living.  

Construction is happening at a frenetic pace, new homes are sprouting up everywhere and the place is spreading out and growing skywards.

I worry that maintenance, especially of our roads and general environmental appearance, seems to have very low priority. The scatter of rubbish and graffiti plastered over structures everywhere does not help.

When people commit offences, special consideration should not be given to penalties based on race and background. It should be a case of ‘one law for all.

My thoughts