central australia

Ben Slip is a born and bred Centralian who has lit his musical fire around the campfire of the Red Centre playing songs and beats on his billy can. Ben grew up learning to read and write by HF Radio (School of the Air). He is a bush kid, connected to country and community.

Dr Shellie Morris spoke with 8CCC's Kate Lyons-Dawson about the project to save the Warumungu language one child at a time. UNESCO’s endangered language lists Warumungu as “severely endangered” meaning it is generally spoken by grandparents and older generations; a fear that has prompted Warumungu language advocates and co-writers Rosemary Plummer from Tennant Creek, her sister Marlene Plummer and fellow grandmother Miriam Frank to work for decades towards creating these resources. Singing For Our Little Ones will be released on 19 September as an album and supporting materials, offering a meaningful tool for educators, families and communities to start the day with song, language, and strong hearts. Shellie's work has recently been acknowledged with the 2025 Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership. 

Dave Crowe electronic producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Dave is about embark on music export program bring Northern Territory music to Germany with MusicNT. The REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL 17-20 Sept 2025. This Festival is one of Europe's biggest club festival & platform for international pop culture. The Conference’s line-up of around 190 events includes everything from keynotes, discussions, workshops, networking formats to practical sessions. It is aimed at professionals from all segments of the international music industry – from recorded music, live entertainment and publishing to media, technology, management and politics.

QVLN and Sunny Z are back in Mparntwe and joined 8CCC's Kate Lyons- Dawson to tell us more about what they've put together out at Ormiston Gorge and Taarna Valley for Kwarta Tuma Festival 2025. Morphing from the legendary Desert Song Festival, Kwarta Tuma offers a unique chance to immerse yourself for the whole weekend on Country. A special satellite event is on tonight at Witchetty's to start the celebration and get your bodies moving in ecstatic dance from 6pm!

As the11 September opening of Desert Mob 2025 grows closer, co-curators Hetti Perkins and Aspen Beattie speak with 8CCC Big Brekky's Kate Lyons-Dawson about what it takes to wrangle a successful, established event and the importance of mentoring and collaboration in the Central Australian art world. Last minute updates and highlights are shared, as well as where to get more information. Printed programs are out now.

Charlie Maher Jr is Western Arrernte man who has become the first Indigenous Australian man to complete all seven World Marathon Majors. From New York to Tokyo, Boston to Berlin, Chicago, London, and now Sydney Charlie has run them all. For 15 years, he’s been part of Rob de Castella’s Indigenous Marathon Project, inspiring the next generation of First Nations runners.

8CCC Big Brekky listeners got the lowdown on Kwarta Tuma Festival 2025, from music coordinator and musician, Emma Trenordan. Think of Desert Song Festival condensed in time, but rich in offerings - much like Ormiston Gorge, Kwarta Tuma being Arrernte for that special place in the West Macdonnell Ranges. On from 12 - 14 September, check out the program and book ASAP!

You now have more time to enter this year's Bindi Digital Art Prize. Maggie Pereyra dropped into 8CCC Big Brekky to share the good news that entries now close 8 September. Listen back for all you need to know to be part of the exhibition!

Cameron Sinclair rider on show for FMX High Air’s first-ever appearance at Red CentreNATS.  Cameron has had an incredible motocross and freestyle career, building excitement for us this Father’s Day weekend crowd – the only show of its kind in the world! Saturday 6 September at Alice Springs Inland Dragway. Tickets at redcentrenats.com.au. 

Ben Crawford is a proud Alice Springs local whose 1993 Suzuki Sierra will be on show at this year’s Red CentreNATS. For Ben, the car is more than just a build – it’s been a lifeline. After suffering a stroke a couple of years ago, he used the project of rebuilding his Sierra to retrain his brain, rebuild his skills and reconnect with his passion for cars. 

Ben Crawford is a proud Alice Springs local whose 1993 Suzuki Sierra will be on show at this year’s Red CentreNATS. For Ben, the car is more than just a build – it’s been a lifeline. After suffering a stroke a couple of years ago, he used the project of rebuilding his Sierra to retrain his brain, rebuild his skills and reconnect with his passion for cars.

On Arvos with Andy we had Jez Conlon from MusicNT. Jez gave us a rundown about the Bush Bands Bash that is happening on Sunday the 14th of September at the Telegraph Station. The Bush Bands Bash is an annual event in Alice Springs, Australia, that celebrates and promotes Indigenous music from remote communities. Presented by MusicNT, it features live concerts showcasing talented Indigenous bands and solo artists, and it is preceded by a four-day music development workshop. The event is a platform for these artists to share their culture, gain performance and business skills, connect with a wider audience, and build a stronger music industry for remote communities.