In 1985, a group of passionate and brave Darwinites came together to create the very first Darwin Pride – celebrating the Top End’s diverse LGBTQIA+ communities.
The Top End Pride committee strives to uphold those values more than three decades later. We advocate for LGBTQIA+ Territorians who require assistance, we lobby for funding to improve the lives of our queer siblings, we provide education and resources for those with queer loved ones, and we organise Darwin Pride to normalise queer representation and ensure the Top End is a safe place for all.
Top End Pride is run by volunteers who are passionate about embracing difference in every sense. We meet on a regular basis to plan events and to work closely with local government bodies to ensure our community's voices are heard.
We are grateful and humbled to work on Larrakia land and pay our respects to Larrakia elders past and present. We also acknowledge our queer elders who have created spaces to enable us to do our work and effect positive change.
David Toro
David has been Vice Chair of Top End Pride since 2022. He is a healthcare worker practising at Royal Darwin Hospital and an active member of the Top End Health Service LGBTQIA+ Committee. He is currently steering a national conference to address the health challenges of LGBTQIA+ folks living in rural and remote Australia. In his spare time, you’ll find him with his cat Michael, planning his next holiday, or napping.
A Parkinson
A Parkinson is driven by a deep commitment to community and justice.
As a Territory journalist, A has built a career amplifying the unheard voices of the community while holding governments accountable for inequality. Their work highlights stories of change and celebrates black and queer excellence.
In 2022, A received the NT Human Rights Award for investigative reporting on the harsh conditions at Don Dale detention centre and the continued use of spit hoods on children. That same year, they worked alongside Rainbow Territory and the Pride community to secure the passage of Australia’s most progressive anti-discrimination act—a landmark achievement that now requires steadfast protection.
A is a passionate advocate for grassroots activism and community-led events, bringing this vision to every Pride initiative they support.
Darcy Godden
Darcy is a proud descendant of the Kamilaroi and Wonnarua peoples and is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. With a Master of Health Management, Master of Business Administration, and extensive qualifications in operational excellence and leadership, Darcy excels in embedding cultural safety into health systems and driving innovative strategies for long-lasting impact.
He serves as a Director of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and Mary MacKillop Today, as well as a member of the Clinical Advisory Committee for ARRCS, where he contributes to improving health outcomes across remote NT. Darcy is deeply committed to community control, empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to shape their own health outcomes. His career reflects a dedication to equitable, culturally responsive, and community-driven health systems.
Nik Henley
Nik (she/her) is a proud and out queer person based in Darwin, where she works as a teacher, visual artist, photographer, and graphic designer. Specialising in art and digital media, Nik teaches secondary students and is passionate about fostering diversity and inclusivity in schools. She has founded and led numerous groups and campaigns to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ students and bring the queer community together.
Engaged to her partner Sal, Nik is a proud parent to their daughter Willow and a devoted carer to three Great Danes and four (slightly needy) cats. As active members of their community, Nik and her family are dedicated to building connections and supporting inclusivity.
Currently serving as acting secretary for Top End Pride, Nik is excited to contribute her energy and vision to the organisation and looks forward to continuing in the role.
Andi Jones
Andi is an experienced leader who has a strong commitment to, and successful track record of improving outcomes for diverse communities. She is an experienced Social Work and International Development practitioner who is passionate about human rights and social justice. To date Andi's paid and voluntary work has focused on the rights of women and children, refugees and migrants and the LGBTIQA+ community.
Tiffany Broadbent
Tiffany is a dynamic and highly skilled leader in the not-for-profit sector, with a proven track record of making a positive impact in the communities she serves. Relocating to Katherine in late 2017, Tiffany quickly immersed herself in local initiatives, particularly within the rainbow community.
As a dedicated advocate for inclusion and respect, Tiffany assumed a pivotal role as the Chair of the Katherine Rainbow Committee in 2023. In this capacity, she spearheads the organisation facilitating various local events, fostering a sense of community and promoting diversity. One of her notable achievements is the successful coordination of the annual Katherine Pride festival, a celebration that has become a cornerstone in the local queer community.
With a strong foundation in community development, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a passion for personal well-being, her leadership serves as an inspiration for those who share her vision of a society built on respect, understanding and celebration of diversity.
Hannah Silberstein
Hannah (she/her) is a passionate, skillful, and dedicated social worker, who has a decade of experience working with a range of individuals from an intersectional lens. Hannah has had experience in direct client work along with training and developing staff, her approach in each area encompasses a commitment to advocacy and empowerment. She has established a deep passion for working alongside Aboriginal communities, people engaging in the AOD system, LGBTQIA+ communities and young people navigating the mental health system.
Michael Psalios
Michael is an experienced leader within both the private and not-for-profit sector, with a particular focus around mental health and homelessness. With a strong commitment to community service, Michael has successfully led various initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable populations.
Michael has been a part of creating and running support groups with a special focus on LGBTQ+ youth, providing a safe and nurturing environment for young people to connect and thrive.
For the past four years, Michael has been based in Darwin, where they have transitioned into the recruitment sector. Here, Michael continues to champion diversity and inclusion as the lead for the national Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG), advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and creating inclusive workplace environments.
Rocket Bretherton
Andrés Calvo
David Briese
Bhushan Joshi
Top End Pride
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Pride acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, work and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, and present. We would also like to acknowledge the elders, past present and emerging of the LGBTIQA+ community that have paved the way for us to celebrate and have festivals such as Darwin Pride.