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The NT’ s landscapes and Aboriginal culture create a memorable delegate experience. Image credit Tourism & Events NT, Helen Orr Yibekka Kakadu Tours
of Australian reptiles and a 220,000-litre freshwater fish aquarium. The attraction’ s‘ Cage of Death’ provided an exciting spectacle as two delegates safely encased in a transparent acrylic enclosure took the plunge into a pool containing a huge saltwater crocodile.
An‘ After Dark’ networking evening included a tour of the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility at Stokes Hill Wharf, a short walk from the DCC. The venue showcases the founding of the RFDS and the Bombing of Darwin in 1942, offering delegates a deeper insight into the NT’ s history, resilience and identity.
A visit to Darwin’ s iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market was also arranged during the Congress, enabling delegates to explore more than 200 market stalls featuring multicultural cuisine, artworks and hand-crafted mementos. The visit coincided with one of Darwin’ s spectacular over-water sunsets which was viewed from the beachside vantage point.
Cultural engagement and sustainability Delegates were welcomed to Country on the outdoor forecourt of the Darwin Convention Centre by Saltwater Cultural Tours on behalf
Mindil Beach Sunset Market, Image credit Tourism & Events NT, Tourism Australia
of the Larrakia people, Traditional Custodians of the Darwin region.
Bespoke delegate satchels supported the cultural focus and were locallymade by Aboriginal-owned Paperbark Woman, which specialises in fabrics created and hand-printed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Speaker gifts included Aboriginaldesigned scarves from Aboriginal Bush Traders and water coolers featuring Aboriginal designs from Mbantua Gallery. n
The journey to WFNN 2025 Representatives of WFNN and ANNA had joined a health sector-specific familiarisation to Darwin in 2016 which was hosted by NT Business Events( NTBE). Many elements of that famil, including visits to the NCCTRC, RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility and Mindil Beach Sunset Market, were featured in the 2025 Congress programme.
On behalf of ANNA, a joint bid prepared by NTBE and DCC was presented at the WFNN Congress in Croatia in 2017. While the Darwin Congress was originally scheduled for 2021, it was postponed to 2025 due to the Covid pandemic.
Organisers indicated that the destination’ s broad appeal had strongly influenced Darwin’ s selection as the host destination, also acknowledging the strong support offered by ANNA and NTBE. They also noted that DCC was a world-class venue which would outrank many convention centres around the world.
Many delegates took pre- and post-Congress tours to locations such as Litchfield, Nitmiluk and Kakadu National Parks, while others had travelled to Darwin aboard the legendary Ghan train, one of the world’ s great railway journeys.
Cathy Cartwright, USA-based president of the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses, spoke highly of their congress experience:“ The 14th Quadrennial WFNN Congress held in Darwin, Australia, truly embodied the spirit of global collaboration and innovation that defines neuroscience care. It offered a chance to experience Darwin’ s rich culture and discuss local care models. We swam with crocodiles and explored the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service through immersive simulation. What stood out most was the opportunity to build lasting global partnerships. I left Darwin energised by the exchange of ideas rooted in evidence, compassion, and cultural awareness.”
WFNN delegates visit facilities at NCCTRC, Darwin
ISSUE 142 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 29