Talk:Darwin, Northern Territory

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This article was the Australian Collaboration of the Fortnight (14 April - 3 June 2005). For details on the improvements made to the article, see the history of past collaborations.
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To-do list for Darwin, Northern Territory: edit · history · watch · refresh

[edit] Checklist

Cross-off as completed

  • fix idiosyncratic lead section
  • create logical order of sections (part done)
  • source more photos
  • split geography and climate section
  • expand history section (Done)
  • expand economy section
  • expand media section (Done)
  • expand/rewrite culture section (part done)
  • add demographics section
  • add landmarks/tourist attractions section
  • add sport and education sections
  • add government section
  • incorporate transport info under "infrastructure" section (Done)
  • fix footer mess
  • references! (Done)

Contents

 
 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Ben Tillman (talk • contribs) 13:33:14, August 19, 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Japanese attacks

I have doubts about the comment about Darwin being the only Australian city to be attacked in time of war as Japanese submarines shelled Newcastle and entered Sydney harbour [as industrial and militray centres respectively], which surely constitutes and attack. it is true howeve to say that Darwin is the only city to face any appreciable effects from an attack [in the Newcastle case at least there were no fatalities, and the shells didn't get anywhere near their target [the steelworks]]. I would have edited before, but if it's collaboration wekk, I'd like to be careful.

I really think the box about Darwin the person should be removed, it is irrelevant and contributes nothing to the city article.

It did list the city under "things named after Darwin", but I agree it was largely irrelevant and only took up space. TPK 12:42, 15 Jul 2004 (UTC)
I have doubts about the comment about Darwin being the only Australian city

Your doubts are well founded. Townsville and Broome were also bombed by the Japanese during World War Two, though on a much smaller scale and without casualties.Ordinary Person 04:50, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

No - one attack alone on Broome killed 88 people. Kransky (talk) 02:38, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Port Darwin

The article mentions Port Darwin, and has a wikilink to "Port Darwin"... but that redirects to this page. That's lame. Ordinary Person 04:51, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Page name

I think it might be more useful if this page was named Darwin, Northern Territory (or whatever the longer, standard version would be), and the link to "Darwin" proper linked either to Charles Darwin or to the Darwin disambig page. There are enough things named Darwin -- almost all derivative of Charles -- for it not to be obvious what people are looking for when they type in "Darwin". I'm not sure the Australian city is likely to be the top of their list. Thoughts on this? --Fastfission 13:33, 11 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I'm really not fussed either way, but it was Darwin, Northern Territory until very recently, when someone apparently thought that this was the most likely usage. Ambi 06:47, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)
On April 10th, User:Duncharris deleted the old Darwin page (which redirected to Charles Darwin and moved Darwin, Northern Territory here. I think it would have been better to discuss it first. I'm inclined to agree with Fastfission: in general, an unspecified "Darwin" refers to Charles Darwin, I believe. Especially since this "Darwin" is named after the naturalist. I'll ask Duncharris about this—I think it should be moved back. — Knowledge Seeker দ 06:59, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)
I checked and disambigged this a few months back. By far the highest proportion of internal references to Darwin were to the naturalist. I have moved it back. --Tony Sidaway|Talk 10:05, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)
Not that I disagree with you changing Darwin (city) to Darwin, NT, I had just posted a message a second after you moved it... a bitch of a thing to have happpened :(. To the matter at hand, however, Darwin should not redirect to Charles Darwin, it should be a disambiguation page.--Cyberjunkie 10:10, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)
Especially considering that as the Australian Wikipedians Collaboration of the Week, there are now dozens of links to Darwin, meant to be coming here.--Cyberjunkie 10:14, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Primary topic disambiguation is being used for Darwin, because when people type in Darwin they usually expect to read about Darwin, one of the most famous and significant scientists who ever lived. --Tony Sidaway|Talk 10:58, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I wonder what people will think of that assertion in another 2 or 3 centuries. Image:Wink.png Tomertalk 03:49, 26 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Good resource

For those who can't access ABS statistics (in other words, non-uni students and non-public servants) without paying, the Darwin City Council has published at book called "About Darwin" that is available online at this address (warning .pdf file). Seems fairly detailed, with some worthwhile information and statistics. Perhaps the original writers of this article swipped info from there. Please make sure you reference if you use it.--Cyberjunkie 10:02, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Speaking of ABS statistics, how does one access them? (my uni offers remote login for this sort of thing) Ambi 12:10, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I've yet to actually attempt accessing them, but I believe I viewed the prompts/details before. Supposedly, if a password is required, you have to contact the IT or library staff of your university. Otherwise (only on-campus), when you click 'download', it should do so automatically.--Cyberjunkie 16:52, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)

  • Its not really intuitive, if your you want to use the AusStats database you, go to the ANU list of online databases, A, AusStats, open publications and data >2001 census > basic community profiles > Main areas, then you'll get a list of states, you need to click on the arrow next to the state to get to the cities and other large areas in that state.
I've read through the stats for Darwin, the only really interesting this is that Darwin had the highest proportional population of Indigenous people out of the Australian capital cities: Darwin 8.9%, Hobart 3.5%, Brisbane 1.7%, Perth 1.5%, Canberra 1.2%, Adelaide 1%, Sydney 1% and Melbourne 0.4%. And that hardly anyone in Darwin uses public transport.
The ABS yearbooks available through the public site probably contain more interesting information that is already in a format that makes comparisons easy. --nixie 03:12, 15 Apr 2005 (UTC)
Ah, thanks. Even if I don't use it here, I'm sure it'll come in useful eventually. While we're on the topic of census data, too, the City of Darwin website has some useful stuff from the 2001 census (which I found when I was adding the education section). Ambi 04:25, 15 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I finally got around to accessing them, and Nixie's right, they're nothing substantive. In fact, the only thing of any real use for Wikipedia are the postal area stats - gives a good run down on suburb demographics.--Cyberjunkie 10:13, 19 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Images

There is this WorldWind pic which would be good in the article Image:Worldwind-Darwin1.jpg, it needs a compass point added by someone with photoshop.--nixie 12:36, 15 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I've recently uploaded an image of Australia from Geoscience Australia (copyright permissions given and listed with the image). I don't know how useful it is for this article, but you might like to check it out. Image:Australia.jpg --Randolph 13:44, 19 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I could supply many images for you to choose from if you like, even a live webcam. Just let me know how.58.167.204.103 13:47, 29 November 2006 (UTC)Jeff

[edit] Western Bulldogs

Re the quote "Melbourne's Western Bulldogs Australian Football League side plays several 'home' games at Marrara Oval each year", I know that was the plan but I think it has not worked out. I used to live in Darwin and now live in the Western Bulldogs area, but I'm not a footy fan - just remembering something I read in a newspaper. It needs checking. Bduke 02:11, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Transport

No transport section?, why just one sentence metioning the Ghan (Adelaide-Darwin Railway) under history. 160.5.247.213 21:51, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Territory Day

I'm attempting to find some information about Territory Day, which is celebrated on July 1. I'm not too sure what it's for, but in Darwin we used to celebrate with fireworks and intoxication. Good times :) Anyway, I've been looking on the net for some help, but haven't found a reason for it. Is it just an arbitrary time to get more pissed than usual? (Having lived in Darwin for the past 5 years, I wouldn't put it past 'em). Or is it some sort of commemoration? I thought it had something to do with the Northern Territory being considered separate from South Australia, but I couldn't find any indication of that. Some help would be appreciated. Cheers! riana 13:53, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

It celebrates the granting of self-government in 1977 (not sure of the year).

1 July 1978, It was also the first time the NT Flag was raised officialy, Prior to this time it was a territory of South Australia. http://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/nt.emblem.html, http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?dID=59, There are now moves underway to push for full statehod for the NT to coincide with the Thirtieth anniversary of self Govenment.58.167.204.103 13:43, 29 November 2006 (UTC) Jeff

[edit] Units

Do we need the unit conversions of km to miles and degree C to degree F? Surely we should just use Australian useage. --Bduke 03:11, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

I don't see why the conversions would be detrimental. Most frequently edited articles I've seen tend to have both sets of units; only the order changes: metric first for (for example) articles pertaining to Australia and "imperial" units for United States articles. There are likely many U.S. Wikipedians who read non-U.S. articles (such as this one) for whom the units conversions would be helpful. Ufwuct 15:52, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Swimming in the sea

The blanket reference to it being unsafe to swim in the sea around Darwin is inaccurate.

It is certainly very unsafe to swim between about late September and May (the wet season), due to the box jellyfish (also known locally as 'sea wasps'). Box jellyfish have one of the most toxic and painful stings of any animal.

The crocodiles are not a threat, although the wildlife rangers are starting to trap more in the harbour area in particular, and there have been one or two sightings off the beaches near the northern suburbs. However, I can assure people that the crocodile situation is very closely monitored by the authorities, and always has been, and the locals would not allow to be any other way. I cannot recall any attacks around the Darwin area.

You are far more likely to be attacked by a croc while swimming in, or even just standing next to a fresh water river or lagoon, or estuarine mouth.

About 1-2 people a year get attacked by crocs in the whole of Australia. By comparison, tobacco kills many thousands of Australians a year. Death by croc attack ain't exactly a high risk.

Shark sightings and strong rips can occur on almost any beach in Australia, all year round, yet that doesn't stop anyone leaping in.

It is not particularly unsafe to swim in the sea around Darwin during the dry season (May-September, the southern winter).

I removed "As the worlds largest reptile and most dangerous crocodile, no waterway in Darwin should ever be entered unless specifically declared 'croc free' by an expert. Lake Alexandria is a man-made lake and is generally considered safe." which was added by 209.239.243.21. In addition to the reasoning and argument above, I doubt that a man-made lake would be safe at all; in Florida, alligators can be found in any body of (fresh) water, no matter what formed it. That's a great advantage of walking on land! Enuja 03:08, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
There are safe water holes in the Top End that are croc free but I've never heard of Lake Alexandria so I'll have to visit the Darwin Library tomorrow. - Bidgee 03:29, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
Lake Alexander (note spelling) was built in the late 1980 or early 1990s and is just behind the beach in Fannie Bay at the beginning of the road to East Point. Is is quite close to the old Gaol. It was safe all the years I was in Darwin until 2004. --Bduke 05:51, 15 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] History section

The fist paragraph in history makes no sense to me whatsoever, who are the Larrakia and what are songlines? --Mdhowe 05:15, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] References

This article is really really short of references and needs to be fixed. There were three but they had incorrect syntax and 2 did not show. I have added a "Reference" section and cleaned up the 3 that did exist. However is a page of a Quiz a good source for anything? Please add many more. --Bduke 00:34, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Coordinates

Could some one possibly find out the Degrees, Minutes AND Seconds for Darwin and fix it???? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 203.158.45.83 (talk) 08:29, 7 February 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Defacement

I take it that "poopey" isn't supposed to be there? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.84.212.90 (talk) 22:29, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] East Timorese population

Interesting that the ABS summary page includes the East Timorese population as one of the most significant, yet in the detailed stats, they appear to be bundled in the "other" category. --Biatch 06:41, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Old history?

Out on the push bike today and found a site on Gardens Hill. It's very hard to read the sign but what I've worked out it says is "Headquarters Australian Postal Institute Darwin Branch". Maybe if anyone can find any history and if it's notable maybe it could be added into the Article?

Sign
Sign
Buildings
Buildings


Cheers! -- Bidgee (talk) 12:46, 15 February 2008 (UTC)