Budding musicians across the Northern Territory have the chance to share in more than $11,000 in prize money through a new music competition launched on 16 July.
The Northern Australia People, Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN) launched the inaugural "Caring for Country Music Competition" in the Northern Territory to increase the awareness of biosecurity through music. The competition aims to connect people with biosecurity messaging in a fun, interactive and engaging way. It is a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Northern Territory Government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) and MusicNT.
The competition will focus on future education pathways and opportunities in biosecurity, with outcomes including the promotion of biosecurity, encouraging communities to keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
Residents of the Northern Territory are eligible to enter the competition under the categories of school, group, or individual, with a total prize money pool of $11,500. Entries close on 20 September 2024.
A panel of judges will include representatives from DAFF, Northern Land Council, NAPCaRN, MusicNT and DITT.
Entries will be assessed on creativity, originality, lyrics, melody and alignment with biosecurity messaging and goals. The competition is intended to run annually with other "caring for" biosecurity themes used for inspiration, including "caring for our animals", "caring for our waters", and "caring for our plants".
Quotes attributable to Deputy Secretary Justine Saunders:
"I am extremely pleased to see the first Caring for Country Music Competition get underway in the Northern Territory and encourage Territorians to get behind the event," Ms Saunders said.
"Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and the Caring for Country Music Competition is a creative, fun way for Territorians to get involved and spread the word about protecting our unique flora and fauna from exotic pests and diseases.
"Threats from pests, diseases and weeds are constantly evolving, there's all sorts of ways pests and diseases can make their way into our country. It is crucial we raise awareness, knowledge and understanding of potential biosecurity risks in the Top End and this is a fantastic way to do that."
Quotes attributable to MusicNT Executive Director, Mark Smith:
"The Caring for Country music competition is a fantastic initiative that brings together the power of music and the crucial message of biosecurity," Mr Smith said.
"By participating, musicians not only get to showcase their talent but also contribute to the health and sustainability of our environment.
"We're excited to see the diverse range of entries in the Caring for Country songwriting competition. Whether you're a solo artist or part of a group, this is a chance to learn, collaborate, and make a positive impact on our country's biosecurity through the universal language of music."
