A mineral collection opening, an art award, a formal ball (that had just as much red dirt inside as outside the building), a tree planting, saveloys at the pub, then throw in a big band, performers and historical footage and you have the Tennant Creek Saveloy Festival. Spanning five days, it incorporated a range of events to create a festive weekend. These celebrations were organised by a committee comprising representatives from the Town Council and community.
Why Saveloys?
In August 1936, Tennant Creek was declared one of the richest goldfields in the Commonwealth by the then Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.
The township had produced 100,000 pounds of gold in 18 months production, a huge accomplishment for any area to achieve, particularly in a remote location like Tennant Creek. To mark this achievement, the townspeople planned a celebration of fireworks, a ball, football game (AFL of course) and a corroboree.
Newspaper reporters flew from Melbourne and Sydney to witness the event. The Deputy Administrator of the Northern Territory visited and Joseph Lyons broadcasted a message to Tennant Creek residents. The ball was open air and the corroboree was at Seven Mile, where the Telegraph Station sits north of the town. The Tennant Creek Hotel hosted a feast of Saveloys and beer as prospectors told their tales of hardship and triumph.
2001 Centenary celebrations
In August 2001, the celebrations started with the McLaughlin Mineral collection opening at Battery Hill Mining Centre. The Northern Territory Government had purchased the collection and one of the old work sheds at Battery Hill had been converted to house it. The following day was the opening and judging of the annual CWA Art Award.
The Saveloy Ball was the main feature of the program. Residents were greeted with complimentary champagne and Alice Swings Band performing tunes of old. The hall was decorated to bring the outside in, with assistance from locals and the primary school students. The Telegraph Station line, which is prominent in this region, made an appearance in the hall, along with representations of as many aspects of Tennant Creek life as possible.
Tennant Creek Hotel hosted the Saveloy Feast the following day, providing local performers for the entertainment and the Saveloys. The rumoured story is pies had been ordered for this celebration and a truck of Saveloys arrived instead. Residents may never know the truth!
The Saveloy Festival was wrapped up with heritage films, courtesy of Centenary of Federation NT.
