NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran will be hosting several celebratory events next week to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, including a musical performance by a 20-piece Big Band.

“Music on the Lawn: A Jubilee Event” will be held next Friday, June 3, on Liberty Square Lawn overlooking Government House will be hosted by Ms O’Halloran to coincide with the Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend—commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s coronation on June 4, 1952.

Government House, Parliament, and other iconic memorials around the country will be illuminated in royal purple.

Ms O’Halloran said the Queen has always held a strong connection with the people of the Territory and has expressed this on countless occasions. The Queen has visited the Northern Territory five times, including an overnight stay at Government House in 1982.

“Her Majesty is the first Australian Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service,” Ms O’Halloran said. “As the Crown’s representative in the Northern Territory, I am delighted Government House will be a focal point for Platinum Jubilee celebrations here in the Northern Territory.”

The ‘Music on the Lawn’ celebration will feature the Band of the 1st Brigade and the Australian Army Band Sydney. Contemporary music will be performed by vocalists and instrumentalists of the combined 20-piece Big Band.

Tickets for the event are free to the public.

Seating will be available on a first-come basis, guests are advised to bring picnic rugs or portable chairs. Food and beverages can be bought on the grounds. Gates open from 4:30pm with jazz outfit ‘The Changes’ providing entertainment at 5:00pm.

Limited tickets for ‘Music on the Lawn’ are available thru Eventbrite from May 21.

The public will be able to wander the gardens and state rooms of Government House on June 24 and 25 to learn more about its history.