Darwin – Friends Frocks & Fine Dining

Well what a fabulous few days.  My husband and I traveled to Darwin for the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association AGM and Conference.  This is a much anticipated event on the NT Outback Calendar, especially for the women.  By the time it rolls around we have often been on the station for a good few months without going anywhere during the wet season.  This year it had been about 2 months since I had left the station and I was absolutely busting to get to Darwin for a good catch up with some fantastic women.

We were lucky enough to leave our 3 boys at home.  I really needed some child free time after being with them 24/7 for the past couple of months.  I did feel slightly guilty leaving them behind….. but that passed by about the first gate. We left home at 4am and traveled for 13.5 hours to reach Darwin.  We drove for 5 hours before arriving at the first roadhouse, and then another 2.5 hours before we managed to get phone reception.  I love the drive to Darwin, especially when you get up around Adelaide River, this also means you are nearly in Darwin.  I must say, it was a pleasant relief driving with just the two of us in the car, I didn’t have to pass 452 vegemite sandwiches over to the children or stop their fighting.  I did have to fight for my right to sing though.  My husband and I seem to disagree on my singing ability.  When I start to sing he turns the music up very loud and then says to me “can’t you just mouth the words”…. who does he think he is?  Maybe he needs to just turn his hearing aid down a little, or just sing with me.  

The boring old Carpentaria Highway between Cape Crawford & Daly Waters

When we arrived we quickly settled in and changed ready to head out to dinner for a good catch up with friends.  We were all so excited to be there and hardly had time to read the menu in between our constant chit chat.  The Chardy was definitely flowing, well for me anyway….. Sav Blanc for my classy friends, ha ha ha.

Thursday was the day we had all waited for …. Ladies Day.  Marie Muldoon never disappoints and always organizes a jam packed day full of champagne, fun and laughter.  We all swap our boots and dusty work clothes for frocks and high heels.  I must admit that my feet were definitely not used to the heels and I am still sporting a numb foot, but as my Mum always says “Beauty has no pain”.

A bus collected us from our various hotels and we kicked off the day at Paspaley and Di Croco.  http://www.paspaley.com/  http://www.dicroco.com/We were greeted at Paspaley with Moet and Chandon and of course a wonderful talk about the Paspaley history with Richard McLean.  We then walked next door to Di Croco, a gorgeous boutique full of crocodile skin handbags, belts and accessories.  We were all very reluctant to leave these beautiful stores.  After a short walk we arrived at Government House and were once again greeted with champagne and canapes.   The Honorable Sally Thomas, NT Administrator, gave a welcoming address and provided a brief run down on the history of Government House.

Tracey Hayes, Marie Muldoon, Luke Bowen & Catriona Rowntree

We then continued on to our luncheon destination.   Lychee Martinis, Champagne & Canapes were served upon arrival.  It was pretty tough to take, but we some how managed to soldier on.  Catriona Rowntree was our guest speaker and what a remarkable woman she is!  Even more stunning in real life.  So down to earth and gorgeous, both inside and out.  We could have listened to her all day.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch and a much needed catch up with friends.  It was such a perfect day.  Many thanks to Marie Muldoon and her team of merry workers who really did work tirelessly all day to ensure it was such a success.  It most certainly was a day of Friends, Frocks and Fine Dining.  Each year I am so thrilled to catch up with such an amazing group of women, they are all such an inspiration, tough hard working women who can then just dust off the dirt and look like complete super models!

Isn’t Catriona just stunning, such a lovely lady! I look like a bit of an old hag next to her, I think I need some of her moisturiser!

Carl Curtain from ABC Country Hour was there on the day and somehow I was dobbed in to do an interview with him, thanks Marie!!   Carl told me he was just going to ask me about the season and talk cattle.  I was stunned, not sure what to say, I told him “Carl, what ever you do, do not ask me about the weather, the season or the cows, I can talk friends, wine and socializing but I cannot talk cattle. He did a good job and followed my wishes, although he failed to tell me I was going to be live, ha ha ha.

To listen to the interview with Carl go to http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-27/ladies-luncheon/5350012