Seniors Expos (Darwin & Palmerston)

The first Seniors Expo was held in Darwin in August 2015 on the grounds of the Museum and Art Gallery (MAGNT) at Conacher Point in Darwin. It was created by Events Manager, Stephanie Kendall as part of the organisation’s Seniors Month program and was specifically designed to showcase community services, lifestyle and entertainment. 

COTA NT’s very first Expo was put together on a shoe-string budget by just four part-time staff and a team of volunteers. 41 exhibitors set themselves up on the lawns with gazebos, tables and chairs, 9 talks and 8 performances were time-tabled, plus a fashion show and free morning tea. It attracted over 400 people making it the biggest event COTA NT had held in its history at that time. The event won the Australia Day Award for Community Event of the Year award.  

Two more Expos were held in the grounds of the MAGNT and established Expo as the premier event for seniors on the NT events calendar. Having outgrown its space, Expo then moved to Palmerston Recreation Centre for two years. In 2020, no Expo was held (due to COVID-19). In 2021, Expo was back and held for the first time in its largest, air-conditioned home yet at the CDU Stizler Stadium Netball Centre.

The latest Darwin Expo attracted over 2 500 people and COTA NT’s now holds Seniors Expos in Alice Springs and Katherine, which continue to grow from strength to strength – both in reach and reputation (see what people say about COTA NT’s Expos).

Click the images below to find out more about each event (its theme, program and photos).

Read more about COTA NT’s regional expos in Alice Springs and Katherine.

Page updated November 2024