NTAHC 40 Years: A Milestone Weekend
1st, 2nd, 3rd of May 2026
1986 – 2026 | Celebrating Four Decades of Advocacy, Health & Community
From our grassroots beginnings in 1986 to becoming the Territory’s peak body for blood-borne virus support and prevention, NTAHC has always been defined by the strength of our community. To mark our Ruby Anniversary, we invite you to join us for a three-part celebration across Darwin.
Whether you are looking for a formal evening of reflection, a casual sunset catch-up, or a night of cinematic drag magic, there is a place for you in our history.
The Ruby Gala: 40th Anniversary Dinner
The Vibe: Elegant, formal, and historic.
The Highlight: Join our Patron, the Honourable Sally Thomas AC, at the BOH Sweethearts Function Room for a prestigious two-course alternate drop dinner. We will reflect on forty years of leadership and resilience in a beautiful formal setting.
Tickets: $110 ($90 for Members/Staff). Includes dinner. Private bar available.
The 40-Year Celebration Party
The Vibe: Relaxed, inclusive, and social.
The Highlight: Hosted on the deck at Lola’s Pergola, this is a "no-speeches" zone designed for pure connection. Enjoy shared platters, a celebratory 40th-anniversary cake, and a nostalgic photo slideshow of our community’s journey over the years.
Stories & Cinema: Priscilla at the Deckchair
The Vibe: Vibrant, outdoor, and quintessentially Territory.
The Highlight: An iconic night at the Deckchair Cinema featuring a screening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Experience the film like never before with interactive pop-up performances by local drag artists and a special NTAHC history reel hosted by Lisa Pelligrino.
Tickets: Available via the Deckchair Cinema platform. Food and drinks available for purchase on-site.
SEE TICKET LINKS BELOW
Celebrating 40 amazing years with the special NTAHC Patron
Ruby Gala - NTAHCs 40th Dinner with our Patron
Join us for an elegant evening as NTAHC marks 40 years of advocacy, health and community at our Ruby Gala.
Held at BOH Sweethearts Function Room, this special anniversary event will bring together supporters, members, partners and friends to honour four decades of leadership, resilience and community impact.
Guests will enjoy a decadent two-course alternate drop dinner in a formal setting as we reflect on the journey of NTAHC and recognise the people and communities who have helped shape our work.
We are honoured to welcome NTAHC Patron, the Honourable Sally Thomas AC, who will join us for this memorable celebration.
The Dining Experience
Guests will be treated to a two-course alternate drop dinner curated especially for our 40th Anniversary.
Please note beverages are not included in the ticket price; however, a private bar will be available throughout the evening.
Tickets
$110 per person
$90 for NTAHC members and staff
Tickets are limited. Bookings close 23 April 2026 for catering purposes.
Dietary Requirements
Please emailcomms@ntahc.org.au with any dietary requirements or allergies.
The Details
When: Friday, 1 May 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: BOH at Sweethearts Function Room
Vibe: Elegant, formal and celebratory
Dress Code: Territory Rig / Formal with a touch of ruby
18+: This is an adults-only event
We invite you to be part of this milestone evening as we celebrate the past, recognise the present, and look ahead to the future of advocacy, health and community in the Northern Territory.
Balloons, Beats & Birthdays: NTAHC’s 40th Bash!
We’ve been fighting the good fight since ’86 — and that’s a milestone worth celebrating. Skip the formalities and join the NTAHC crew at Lola’s Pergola for our official 40-Year Celebration Party.
We’re bringing the beats, the nibbles, and a cake big enough to hold four decades of history.
This event is open to everyone. Whether you’ve been part of the journey for years, partnered with us along the way, or are new to the community, we’d love to see you on the deck as we celebrate this historic milestone together.
The Details
When: Saturday, 2 May 2026
Time: From 6:00 PM
Where: Lola’s Pergola (Function Area & Deck)
Vibe: Relaxed, social and inclusive — no speeches, just celebration
Under 18s: Welcome. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Tickets & RSVP
Tickets are free, but RSVP is essential to help us plan catering.
Please register here https://ntahcparty.eventbrite.com.au or email comms@ntahc.org.au to secure your spot and advise of any dietary requirements.
Spaces are limited — RSVP early to secure your place and your slice of NTAHC history.
Stories & Cinema: Celebrating 40 Years of Advocacy, Health and Community
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert interactive screening
Join us for a special evening under the stars at Deckchair Cinema as we celebrate 40 years of NTAHC through storytelling, community and film.
After a full weekend of celebrations — from the Ruby Gala to the 40th Celebration Party — unwind with us at one of Darwin’s most iconic venues. Enjoy the famous Deckchair sunsets, delicious food, and a fully stocked bar as we come together for this final event of the anniversary weekend.
The evening will begin with reflections on NTAHC’s journey, including a formal address and a short history reel highlighting four decades of advocacy, resilience and impact across the Northern Territory.
As the sun sets, settle in for a screening of the iconic Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert, brought to life with surprise pop-up performances from local drag artists throughout the film.
This event is also a fundraiser for NTAHC, supporting the continuation of our work in advocacy, health and community across the Northern Territory.
We extend a big thank you to Deckchair Cinema who are generously supporting this event and helping us raise funds.
There will also be a lucky door prize on the night.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the venue.
The Details
When: Sunday, 3 May 2026
Gates Open: 5:45 PM - Pre film entertainment
Speeches pre film:
Where: Deckchair Cinema, Darwin
Vibe: Relaxed, community-focused and fundraising
All Ages: Everyone is welcome
Come along, relax, and be part of an evening that honors the past while celebrating the vibrant community that continues to shape NTAHC today.
