Nearly 90 people attended the 2026 Muster – the centenary commemoration of two significant historical events for Newcastle Waters.

On 4th June 1926, the Commonwealth of Australia assented the Northern Australia Act which effectively split the Northern Territory into two - Central Australia and Northern Australia.

Alice Springs became the capital of Central Australia whilst Newcastle Waters was designated the capital of Northern Australia replacing Darwin as the seat of Government.

The Act was subsequently repealed some 5 years later.

Following this proclamation, on 19th August 1926, the Governor General of Australia and his wife, Lord and Lady Stonehaven, flew from Longreach, QLD, to Newcastle Waters, in the first ever Australian built Qantas De Havilland DH50 plane.

Special guests the Hon Josh Burgoyne MLA (Minister for Heritage) and Steve Edgington MLA (Member for Barkly) representing the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro, and the Administrator of the Northern Territory, the Honourable David Connolly attended.

In addition, the students from the Newcastle Waters School attended for the second time, this time displaying artwork to commemorate the historic QANTAS flight in 1926, and to meet the Administrator of the Northern Territory.

The Muster commenced at the National Trust owned Jones Store, with a presentation by Eddie Webber (from the National Trust), followed by speeches from the Administrator and the NT Politicians in attendance.

There was a soft launch of the Barry Coulter AO authored ‘Mates of the Murranji - An Unbreakable Bond’ book (which you can express your interest to purchase here), and then we wandered down to the Junction Hotel for convivial banter and refreshments provided by our foundation Sponsor, the Great Northern Brewing Company.

Thanks to musician Matt Scullion, we also formally launched his song ‘Mates of the Murranji’ – a fitting finale for the afternoon (hear a snippet of the song here), and you can purchase a copy by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

We are gratefully thankful to the Consolidated Pastoral Company (Newcastle Waters Station) who own the Junction Hotel, with particular mention to Anna and Andrew Cochrane, who provided us permission to celebrate yet another Muster, and all Mates who travelled to the event. 

See photos from the event here.

Our 2025 Muster was held on Monday 11th August and was attended by 40 new and old mates, including NT Ministers Steve Edgington and Joshua Burgoyne. Barry Coulter shared lovely memories of Newcastle Waters on behalf of Annie Manfong who lived there as a child with her extended family as her father George Manfong was the last owner of Jones' Store before it was purchased by the National Trust. You can find out more about her childhood and see some special photos here, and click here to see more photos of the Muster.

 As always, we thank our sponsors, Carlton United Breweries, and Sally Martin from Inspired Promotion, and Mate Helen Egan for taking the photos.

It was decided to forgo our 2024 official Muster due to competing commitments for our major sponsor and a number of key Foundation Mates, however, a small but passionate number of Mates gathered in traditional fashion at Newcastle Waters on 17th June for a Mini Muster.

We had the pleasure of meeting the new Managers of Newcastle Waters Station, Andrew and Anna Cochrane, recent arrivals from the CPC owned Isis Downs Station south of Ilfracombe, Central West Queensland. ‘Murranji Mate’ and Sturt Downs Station Owner, Brad Inglis also joined us. Sturt Downs Station is situated just north of Newcastle Waters.

Fellow Mates, Cowboy John and Martin Challenor travelled down from the big smoke (Darwin), joining with the Central Australian contingent; Kathy Woithe, Alison Pyper, Helen Egan and Krafty, with the numbers swelling to nine.

As is tradition, we dutifully retired to our office at Daly Waters Pub for our annual debrief and refreshments where Darren Cootes, Regional Manager for our Major Sponsor, Carlton and United Breweries was able to join us and we welcomed his hospitalities.

We again thank Darren, Lincoln Jenkin and Carlton and United Breweries for their unwavering and continued support.

Thanks to Cowboy John, Anna Cochrane and Helen Egan for taking photos of the event. You can see more photos here.

On Monday 5th June 2023 the Mates of the Murranji had their third Muster at Newcastle Waters Historic Township. This annual event saw 30 Mates (new and old) travel from QLD, WA, SA, VIC and NSW, with two thirds coming from across the Northern Territory.

This date was chosen because the day prior, (Sunday 4th June) represents the 97th anniversary of the assent of the Northern Australia Act 1926 by the Commonwealth of Australia, of which Section 47 reads:

The seat of Government of North Australia shall be established as soon as practicable at Newcastle Waters, and until the seat of Government is so established it shall be at Darwin.

There were also some special guests at this year’s Muster - students and staff from Newcastle Waters School. These Aboriginal students from the Marlinja Community are currently learning about local history as part of a school project, and so had an ‘excursion’ to the Junction Hotel (which they go past every day to get to school) to hear some living history.

The eventual restoration of the Newcastle Waters Historic Township, along with the subsequent tourism growth of tourism in the area, will clearly impact these students, their families and the whole Marlinja Community, so these early positive interactions and connections is incredibly heartening and positive.

After catching up with the news from Krafty, reintroducing the Foundation Mates (most of whom were there), singing, laughing and drinking beer (not the students!) at the Junction Hotel, most of the Mates then headed up the track to the Daly Waters Historic Pub.

An absolute highlight for some Mates on the way from Newcastle Waters to Daly Waters, was being caught right in the middle of a real Muster with motorbikes, quads, horses and a helicopter! Such an incredible and humbling experience for those who witnessed it.

The debrief at Daly Waters, as always, included more singing, laughing and beer!

Thanks to all the Mates that travelled and show continued support to the restoration of Newcastle Waters, and we hope to see you all again next year.

Check out more of the photos from the 2023 Mates of the Murranji Muster here – and big thanks to Mate’s Helen Egan and Andrea Sullivan for supplying them!

• 2023 Muster Round Up