The Dry (Part One)

It has been a busy month in Darwin. The dry season means a large influx of people into the NT along with an associated increase in road accidents and patients in general which has kept things moving along. Outside of work I have had lots of people coming to stay and Darwin has been putting on some exciting events to celebrate the dry.

An example of some of the products up for use on Cracker Night

The month started with Cracker Day – NT’s annual celebration of independent government. The Top End celebrates by everyone spending a massive amount of money on fireworks and setting them off all around town. Literally. On the road, in the back yard…. There was initially a complete fire ban but luckily it was taken down at 6pm so everyone could enjoy the night. I spent the evening over at my boss’s house having a ‘Curry and Cracker’ celebration. David is renting an apartment on the 29^th floor of a building right in the centre of town – thus providing a great view, AND safety from rogue firework lighters! I can honestly say I had never seen so many fireworks being set off in my life. The whole of Darwin was lit up. For hours!! It was just endless. Think Sydney NYE fireworks – but stretched out for over 7 hours! I love fireworks so I was in heaven. We celebrated the end of the night with a paper plane competition (Phyllis won!)

IN the NT it is illegal to set off fireworks outside of Cracker Day. Shops opened up a few days before the event (You could even buy them from Pet Barn!) and obviously most people had spent their life savings because people are STILL setting them off on a Saturday night a month later. A house burnt down around the corner just the other week and the poor dogs must be going mental. Most of you have heard about my famous patient this week who found something else to do with a firework. Never say the Territorians are not inventive.

Just after Cracker Day we had another visit from out PM. This time with a set of dignitaries from Indonesia. The NCCTRC has close ties with South-East Asia through their disaster work and the visit from the Indonesian President had been in the works for a long time. Most of it was kept under wraps because of the recent Boat people controversy. Sometimes I feel lucky that I am not involved with the organisation side of the work up there. There were meetings and meetings and phone calls and security checks and more checks…. In the end the President’s three day trip to Darwin was cut short and he and his wife really only came to see us and then attended a formal dinner at Government house before leaving again.

The operating rooms are just on the right

Henry, Suzie and David checking we haven't killed the patient

In light of the Presidents visit we decided to show off our Field hospital set up. Again I am very thankful I don’t need to do all of the work that is involved in setting the whole thing up – the logistics guys worked really hard to get it up in one day, and it looked amazing. I still get quite taken aback by how sophisticated all the equipment and rooms in the hospital are – some days you’d almost prefer to be out in the field hospital than in the normal operating rooms!

General Ward

With all the boat people controversy it was anticipated that we would get quite a lot of protesters. In the end they didn’t really eventuate but security was very tight (including snipers on the roof!). Me and my boss hung out in the operating section of the hospital and helped show Julia, the president and all the entourage around. They were all very interested and asked lots of questions. I think they were also super pleased with their presents: a ‘snack pack’ and hat. The media from Australia and Indonesia were numerous to say the least and the photo sessions at each stop took a LONG time.  Even when I left work 3 hours later Hugh Rimington was still out the front of the hospital doing live crosses.

Ronnie and Marg in the "ED"

Snack Pack

The back of Julia's head

Even the Marines turned up

Hugh in the parking lot

The rest of the first week of July was taken up with a visit from my parents and two of my sisters who came up to celebrate my birthday. I do miss them terribly being up here so it was a very special week for me. They hung out and saw all the crocodiles while I was at work and enjoyed themselves very much. My mum was most excited about the guy who hangs out with his snakes in the mall every day, letting people hold them for photos.

Steph, Annie, Asha, Phyllis and me

The Annual Darwin Hospital Ball has also been and gone. My sister Steph came along to keep me company and I must say it was a little disconcerting at how many people there were people I had NEVER seen before. Definitely a lot of admin staff attended! The event was down on the lawn of the Casino which was a lovely place to watch the sunset. The free wine was also worth going.