CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
The most Top End tradition of them all took place in the Northern Territory last night, as locals let off hundreds of thousands of fireworks.
The annual event is known as Cracker Night, and the territorymen and women absolutely love it. Despite the numerous injuries and suburban spotfires that are caused each year.
Territory Day falls on July 1 and marks the anniversary of the Commonwealth allowing the Northern Territory to govern itself, and in celebration of this historic moment, the locals also celebrate the fact that the Top End is the only place in Australia where anyone over the age of 18 can purchase and set off fireworks for one day each year.
Some killjoy locals are known to complain about the noise of the event – and the pressure it places on the hospital system with needless injuries – but for the most part, the vast majority fucking love it.
However, one segment of the community that do not appreciate this crazed event is the local canine population, who often disappear for days on end.
Due to their sensitive hearing and natural instincts to avoid danger, pet dogs do not have a good time during fireworks show. On Cracker Night, that firework show goes for hours.
And their owners do very little to comfort them.
This is not to say that pet owners in the Northern Territory are negligent to their doggos, it’s just that the spirit of the Northern Territory is strong that it clearly outweighs the distress caused to man’s best friend.
Many owners are themselves take part in lighting fuses on the streetside, and it is just assumed that the family pet will come out of hiding when they are ready.
Today, nearly 24 hours after the sheer horror of the 2025 Cracker Night, the dogs of Darwin and other Northern Territory towns are finally embarking on the journey home, sheepishly returning to their family’s with a deep suspicion that they do not really love them.
Unfortunately for the puppies, this scary night is necessary in the quest to celebrate the Commonwealth granting the Northern Territory autonomous status as a self-governing sovereignty alongside the ACT and Jervis Bay.
