A major recognition for one of the Barkly region’s much-loved community events
The Tennant Creek & District Show Society is celebrating after being named the 2026 Chamber of Commerce NT Barkly Regional Winner in the Community Event category at the Northern Territory Export & Business Awards.
The award recognises the important contribution the Tennant Creek Show makes to the Barkly community, bringing together thousands of people each year to celebrate local talent, businesses, agriculture, culture and community spirit.
The regional awards event was held in Tennant Creek on Tuesday 18 August 2026, with the Show Society represented on the night to accept the award. The recognition is a significant achievement for the volunteer-run organisation, which works throughout the year to deliver the annual Tennant Creek Show.
Tennant Creek & District Show Society President Wayne Walsh said the award was a wonderful recognition of the hard work and dedication of the committee and the wider community.
“The Tennant Creek Show is much more than one day on the calendar. It is an event that brings our community together and provides an opportunity to celebrate the people, businesses, organisations and talent that make the Barkly such a special place.”
The 2026 Tennant Creek Show welcomed 2,610 people through the gates, with 63 exhibitors and approximately 50 volunteers contributing throughout Show week and on Show Day. The event featured a packed program of entertainment and activities, including the Memphis Moovers, Dinkum Dinosaurs, award-winning chainsaw sculptor Rob Bast, the WW1 Light Horse Display, Barnyard Party Mobile Petting Zoo, live country music from Ruby Jane and Linc Phelps, along with livestock education demonstrations by DMK Livestock Education.
The Show also provided a platform for local exhibitors, community organisations and businesses, with more than 151 competition entries across the various exhibition categories, as well as artwork from regional schools. The Society said the award would not have been possible without the contribution of its volunteers, committee members, sponsors, exhibitors, entertainers, traders and community partners.
“We are incredibly proud of what our small but dedicated volunteer committee achieves each year,” Mr Walsh said.
“An event of this size takes an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, and this award is recognition of everyone who contributes their time, skills, resources and support to make the annual Tennant Creek Show happen.”
The Society also acknowledged the ongoing support of its sponsors, whose contributions help ensure the Show remains an accessible and affordable community event.
The 2026 Show was supported by sponsors including Tennant Mines, Thrifty, Remote Concrete NT, Jacal Auto, Tennant Creek Today, Barkly Regional Council, FMA Contracting, Papulu Apparr-Kari Aboriginal Corporation, Steve Edgington MLA, NT Show Council & Northern Territory Government, Leading Edge Computers Tennant Creek and BMI Training & Development, along with a number of valued Show contributors.
The Tennant Creek & District Show Society congratulates all businesses, organisations and community groups recognised through the 2026 Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory Export & Business Awards and is proud to represent the Barkly region at the awards.
With the 2026 Show now behind them, the volunteer committee is already looking towards the future and planning how to build on this year’s success and we look forward to welcoming you back for a bigger event next year.
