Download the media release here.

Thousands have shown their support for Statehood by signing the Statehood Steering Committee’s ‘foot’ petition at campaign events held in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine last month.

‘We’ve been busy talking about the subject with Territorians from all walks of life, collecting thousands of signed feet images in support for Statehood’, said Committee Co-Chair, Fran Kilgariff.

‘All the feet are coming with us to Canberra later this year to be displayed in a visual artwork. We want to show all of Australia just how serious Territorians are about having equal rights to those of other Australians’, said Fran Kilgariff.

There is still time for Territorians who have yet to sign the foot petition do so- stay tuned to this website for location updates or alternatively, call the Statehood office on 8946 1437.

L to R: Poppy Lelekis, SSC Project Officer and Carolynne James, SSC Executive Officer strike a pose in between chatting to people on the Statehood matters.

The midday sausage sizzle at Town Square in Katherine marked the last event phase one of the Walking Together Towards Statehood Campaign. Committee member Mr Maurie Ryan as MC ran a fun two and a half hours. Assisting him to inform the crowd were Fay Miller MLA, Town Mayor Mrs Anne Shepherd and fellow SSC member Mr Jamey Robertson. Great entertainment from local country band The Trac pleased the small crowd who notwithstanding were enthusiastic for Statehood.

The Winanjjikari All Stars get the crowd going

Peko Park was buzzing the 10th July- the Thursday prior to the Tennant Creek Show. The Winanjjikari All Stars were thrashing out their hits and Statehood was on everyone’s lips! Exactly a week after their first Campaign event in the Alice, the Committee delivered a successful sausage sizzle for the people of Tennant Creek. The Committee was supported by prominent locals including Elliot McAdam MLA and Mr Randall Gould, former Town Mayor who spoke about the virtues in becoming a State.

Malarndirri McCarthy with Drum Atweme girls at the ‘Sign-a-foot’ stall

After the successful campaign launch the Committee headed south for the Alice Springs event- the first of the Campaign series on 3 July. The setting was Todd Mall, under the sails where the Committee put on a lunch time with a difference. Offerings included free baristas style coffee and free sausage sizzle. The crowd of at least a couple of hundred was entertained to the rhythms of Drum Atweme, plus two locally acclaimed buskers. Speakers included Lorraine Braham MLA, and SSC members Mrs Fran Kilgariff, Karl Hampton MLA, Malarndirri McCarthy MLA and Mr Peter Schaefer.

Click here to download the media release.

On Monday, 30th of June, the Statehood Steering Committee launched its new Walking Together Towards Statehood awareness campaign at Parliament House.

The Campaign aims to raise awareness not just on the debate surrounding the subject of Statehood but, to promote the movement FOR Statehood- the long overdue advancement of the Northern Territory becoming the 7th State in the Australian Federation.

As the Campaign title symbolically suggests, Statehood, will happen when all of us unite and begin ‘Walking Together Towards’ constitutional equality: ‘Statehood’.

Phase one of the Walking Together Towards Statehood campaign takes place in July 2008 and consists of grass roots events in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine. Phase 2 later this year this will see the Committee travels to Canberra to lobby Federal politicians, followed by 2009’s Constitutional workshops marking phase three. The Constitutional Convention, scheduled for 2010 will complete the Campaign.

Download the media release here.