The Top Ender Tri-Services Magazine

16/09/2025

YUM YUM YUM! This looks like a fantastic lunch option!

16/09/2025

Who is excited for this weekend? The Track looks so awesome!

15/09/2025

✨ Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School – Where Everyone Belongs ✨

Nestled in Darwin’s northern suburbs, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School is proud to be a welcoming hub for defence families. 💛

From regular Defence Family Gatherings (like their recent swim day at Casuarina Aquatic Centre 🏊‍♀️) to the support of their dedicated Defence School Mentor, Chris Crimmings, they are here to make sure every child and family feels at home.

🌟 Inclusive. Supportive. Community-focused.
That’s the Holy Spirit difference.

📍 Learn more: holyspiritnt.catholic.edu.au
Read their wonderful article on page 24

15/09/2025

🎉 School Holidays are nearly here – and so are some AWESOME prizes up for all ages! 🎉

Getting involved is easy:

Ages 0–5: Send us your monster artwork OR show us your best monster face! 👹
Ages 5–13: Tell us who you’d love to splash with paint in the Splash Room! 🎨
Ages 14–17: Share what you’d like to smash at Smash It Darwin! 💥

It’s that simple! Get creative, have fun, and you could score yourself a holiday prize pack! ✨ ENTER NOW - www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/win/competition-form

15/09/2025

Calling all partners/spouses of current- or former-serving ADF. Do you want to pursue career-related projects that matter to you, feel uplifted and make meaningful connections?

The fully subsidised Cowork Coplay program is coming to Darwin and Katherine, NT! Apply now: https://bit.ly/NTCoworkCoplayProgram

Details

📅 Dates: starting week of 13/20 October until the week of 1/7 December

⏰ Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm, one day per week for 8 weeks

📍 Venues: Darwin central and Katherine
🎫 Cost: No cost. This is a fully subsidised program, thanks to the support of the NT Government. (Places are limited.)

👥 Format: a group program incorporating self-paced learning and hands-on activities, coworking (so you can take the action you choose) and optional workshops with external mentors. Workshop topics include: self-awareness and intention-setting, self-development, career pathways and tools, practical wellbeing and local community supports/organisations. Ongoing connection and a WhatsApp group.

👶Child care (0-5 years) and morning tea included.

Applications are open for this fully subsidised program, built to give you time and space to pursue your career goals and create community and professional connections.

Cowork Coplay was designed by a Defence partner and is facilitated by a local Defence/veteran partner. Delivered by Human Quotient Group, a certified Australian social enterprise, veteran family business and Veteran Employer of Choice.

14/09/2025

🌱 Kids Plant & Grow Activity – School Holidays Fun! 🌱

Come and join Defence Member and Family Support these upcoming school holidays for a creative, hands-on activity the kids will love!

They will be making our very own ceramic head flowerpot—decorating it with wiggly eyes and unique designs before planting cress seeds to grow some luscious green “hair.” 🌿👀

It’s then up to you to care for your pot and watch the hair grow wild!

✨ Open to ages 5+ (parental help may be needed).
☀️ A fun way to enjoy the sunshine and get creative together.

📅 Book now to secure your spot: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/adf-member-resident-family-event-kids-plant-grow-tickets-1681558830729?aff=oddtdtcreator

Paint, Plant & watch it grow!

12/09/2025

🎖️ Child of the ADF Medallion🎖️

The Child of the ADF Medallion (CoADFM) celebrates the strength, resilience, and growth of Defence children as they navigate the unique challenges of ADF life.

The program is open to all Defence resident family children aged 18 years and under of current serving ADF members who have experienced one or more of the following:

• Managing a relocation
• Connecting to a new community after moving
• Coping with a lengthy absence (or frequent absences) of their ADF family member
• Managing the absence of their ADF member due to short notice posting, deployment, or exercise

✨ This special medallion recognises the courage and adaptability of our Defence kids.

📅 Nominations close Sunday, 28 September 2025

👉 To nominate your child/ren, please register today.

ADF families in the Darwin region, nominate your child/ren to receive a Child of the ADF Medallion.

11/09/2025

💛 R U OK? Day 💛

Taking care of your mind matters. Swipe below to discover 5 quick and easy mindfulness tips you can try today to help boost your wellbeing.

Remember, checking in starts with small steps — for yourself and those around you.

Let us know which tip you’ll try first! 👇

11/09/2025

🏁🔥 Get ready, Territorians! The world’s best motocross riders are rolling into Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex this September for the epic FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) — making its first Australian appearance in over 20 years!🏆

From 19-21 September 2025, feel the roar of engines, dust flying, and adrenaline pumping as MXGP, MX2, AND the historic first-ever FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship take over Darwin!

🎉 Family-friendly fun — kids 12 & under get in FREE with a paying adult!
💥 Local heroes: Around 40+ Australian riders will compete across all classes!
🎤 Off-track entertainment, activities, and international broadcast excitement.

This is THE must-do Dry Season event — don’t miss your chance to witness history, right here in the Top End!

GET TICKETS NOW - mxgpaustralia.com.au/tickets

10/09/2025

💥 WIN a DOUBLE PASS to SMASH IT Darwin! 💥
Let’s face it — “sometimes life just needs a good smash.” And thanks to Larrakeyah Neighbourhood House and DMFS funding, The Top Ender Team got to do just that. Plates? Cracked. Cups? Destroyed. TVs? Obliterated.

🛠️ “Cathartic doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
🎯 “Some bottles seemed to bounce back just to test our patience.”
📺 “By the end, the huge TV was reduced to the size of a book.”
Read about it on page 25!

Wanna try it for yourself?
👉Smash It Darwin are giving away a DOUBLE PASS to SMASH IT Darwin in our latest edition of The Top Ender Magazine! T&C Apply, see page 25 for details.

Smash stress, boost your mood, and maybe even write your boss’s name on an old TV (they won’t tell). 😉

🎟️ Enter now via our website:
www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/win

09/09/2025

🗞️ Hot Off the Press: AGM in 7 Days! 🔥

Our AGM is coming up, and we’re on the lookout for new committee members to help us keep supporting Defence families across the Top End! 💙

The Top Ender is run by Defence Families for Defence Families. Committee members help’s guide content, support the coordinators, and bring the magazine to life. We’d love for you to be part of it!

✨ No experience needed — just a tiny bit of time for bi monthly meetings and quarterly focus groups, a positive attitude, competition ideas, and a passion for the Top End Defence community.

📅 Wednesday 17 September 2025
📍 Sahara Room, Defence Establishment Berrimah or via TEAMS
🕕 6:30pm ACST

Whether you’re a whiz with words, love organising events, or just want to give back — there’s a spot for you. If you’re curious, come along and find out more. No pressure, just possibilities!

09/09/2025

🎨 Paint by Numbers 🎨
ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT - Join Sammie this Sunday, 14th September at Territory True Café, Durack for a relaxing Paint by Numbers session.

🖌️ Unwind, get creative, and enjoy some time connecting with others.
✨ Limited spots available – don’t miss out!

👉 RSVP now to secure your place.