PRP Media

19/01/2026

Malik Ghulam Abbas, a respected and long-serving member of the Northern Territory Police Force, has retired with dignity after dedicating more than 37 years to serving and protecting the people of the Northern Territory.

Mr Abbas migrated to Australia from Pakistan in 1987. After spending six months in Perth, he moved to Darwin, where he began his career with the Northern Territory Police. Over the course of 37 years, six months and three days, he built an exceptional record of service marked by professionalism, commitment and community engagement.

Senior Constable First Class Abbas was formally farewelled at a retirement ceremony attended by the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Lia Finocchiaro, the Police Commissioner, senior police officials and colleagues.

Chief Minister of Northern Territory Lia Finocchiaro said:
“’After 37 years of dedicated service, we farewelled Senior Constable First Class Ghulam Abbas as he retired from the Northern Territory Police Force this week.
Ghulam moved to Australia from Pakistan and joined the Police just six months later, beginning an exceptional career spent serving and protecting Territorians. He has worked across Darwin and Casuarina stations, and for the past 20 years has been based at Palmerston Police Station, serving in general duties and predominantly in Social Order response.
A much-loved part of the Police team, Ghulam has also made an outstanding contribution to our multicultural community as Vice Chairman of the NT Islamic Council, representing the Territory nationally for the past 18 years.
We thank Ghulam, for his commitment, professionalism and service to the Northern Territory and wish him a happy and well-earned retirement.’’

Throughout his career, Mr Abbas served at several key locations including Darwin and Casuarina police stations, before spending the last two decades at Palmerston Police Station. He was widely respected for his work in general duties and social order response, and was known as a dedicated and compassionate officer.

Beyond policing, Mr Abbas played a significant role in community leadership. As Vice Chairman of the Northern Territory Islamic Council, he represented the Territory at the national level for 18 years, strengthening multicultural harmony and understanding.

Despite spending most of his life in Australia, Mr Abbas remains deeply connected to his roots. A patriotic Pakistani, he has often expressed his love for Pakistan, saying he carries the country in his heart and feels its presence even in his dreams.

His retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter of service, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, multicultural contribution and lifelong dedication to the Northern Territory.

17/01/2026

Leanyer Recreation Park History & Background:

Leanyer Recreation Park is one of Darwin’s most popular family-friendly outdoor recreation spaces, located in the northern suburbs near Leanyer, Karama and Malak. It was established as a public recreational facility by the Northern Territory Government and has been serving the community for over two decades: the park was set to open in late 2003 as part of community development initiatives.

A key physical feature of the park is the man-made lake and water play area. Historical records show that the park (including its lake and wet play environment) was constructed in the early 1990s by the NT Department of Transport and Works, with the lake completed in 1994.

The pool and waterslide facilities were developed later; the original set of three large water slides opened on 29 March 2009 and have since been central attractions.

The park has continued to be upgraded over time most recently receiving a major $3.1 million refresh between 2020 and 2022, adding new inclusive play features, modern playground equipment, water play elements and accessibility improvements to ensure visitors of all abilities can enjoy the space.

Facilities & What You Can Do There:

Leanyer Recreation Park is designed as an all-ages, free access outdoor recreation area with a mix of water-based and dry-land facilities, perfect for families and individuals wanting to enjoy Darwin’s warm climate.

Key facilities include:

1. A water playground with interactive features and tipping bucket.

2. Swimming pool and children’s paddling pools.

3. Three giant water slides (each around 14 m tall and over 100 m long).

Dry Play & Sports:

All-abilities playground suitable for kids of different ages and mobility levels.
Skate park for skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes.

Floodlit basketball court and cycling paths encouraging active play and exercise.

Social & Picnic Spaces:

Shaded picnic areas with barbecue facilities (first-come, first-served).

Open grassed areas for gatherings, birthday parties or casual recreation. Kiosk and catering services on site.

Visitor Experience & Popularity:

Leanyer Recreation Park is extremely well-used: before the latest upgrades, it attracted around 150,000 visitors annually, and since reopening after the refurbish, that number has grown to over 240,000 visits in a single year due to its enhanced facilities and free entry.

The park’s popularity is partly due to Darwin’s tropical climate, where cool water play and shaded green spaces provide vital outdoor respite during the hot dry and build-up seasons.

Parks in the Northern Territory, Concepts & Types:

Parks in the Northern Territory range from urban recreation parks like Leanyer to vast natural reserves and national parks showcasing the Territory’s biodiversity, landscape and cultural heritage.

Urban & Community Parks:

Built for local recreation, social connection and healthy lifestyles.

Often include playgrounds, sports spaces, water play, picnicking facilities.

Designed to be accessible and inclusive, encouraging community use with minimal costs (many are free).
Example: Leanyer Recreation Park falls into this category.

Nature & Conservation Parks:

These are protected areas focused on ecosystem preservation, cultural heritage and tourism:

National parks like Kakadu, Litchfield, Elsey and Judbarra protect landscapes, wildlife and Indigenous cultural sites.

Managed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission under strategic conservation plans.

Many are jointly managed with Traditional Owners, recognising Aboriginal land stewardship.

Key principles across NT parks include:

Environmental conservation of native species and habitats.

Cultural recognition and involvement of Indigenous communities.

Public enjoyment and education, whether through structured trails, visitor centres, or interpretive programs.

Balancing recreation with conservation, respecting natural processes like seasonal flooding and wildlife patterns.

Urban parks like Leanyer serve everyday lifestyle and community recreation needs, while the larger landscape parks preserve and celebrate the Territory’s unique natural and cultural heritage.

Reference:

[https://nt.gov.au/leisure/sport/facilities-and-contacts/find-a-sports-facility/leanyer-recreation-park](https://nt.gov.au/leisure/sport/facilities-and-contacts/find-a-sports-facility/leanyer-recreation-park)
[https://www.ymcatopend.org.au/locations/leanyer-recreation-park](https://www.ymcatopend.org.au/locations/leanyer-recreation-park)
[https://darwintour.com.au/attractions/leanyer-recreation-park/](https://darwintour.com.au/attractions/leanyer-recreation-park/)
[https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/leanyer-recreation-park-gets-a-31-million-facelift/](https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/leanyer-recreation-park-gets-a-31-million-facelift/)
[https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/sliding-into-dry-leanyer-recreation-park-waterslides-open/](https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/sliding-into-dry-leanyer-recreation-park-waterslides-open/)
[https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/leanyer-recreation-park-visitor-numbers-booming/](https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/leanyer-recreation-park-visitor-numbers-booming/)
[https://nt.gov.au/news/2023/nt-parks-masterplan-released](https://nt.gov.au/news/2023/nt-parks-masterplan-released)
[https://parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/about-us](https://parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/about-us)
[https://dth.nt.gov.au/media/docs/pwc-docs/park-management-and-strategies/nt-parks-masterplan/nt-parks-masterplan-2023-53.pdf](https://dth.nt.gov.au/media/docs/pwc-docs/park-management-and-strategies/nt-parks-masterplan/nt-parks-masterplan-2023-53.pdf)

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litchfield_National_Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litchfield_National_Park)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsey_National_Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsey_National_Park)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Springs_Nature_Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Springs_Nature_Park)

Story and photography by:
Abdul Waheed Rabbani

26/08/2024

01/05/2024

Cricket Australia announced T20 squad for ICC Men's T20 World 2024.

Mitchell Marsh has been appointed captain of the Australian men’s T20 team and will lead the side at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Squad:

Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner and Adam Zampa

01/05/2024

Co Owner Phantoms Academy Perth Mir Saad Afridi talks about Aussie Cricket League T20 U19 2024

30/04/2024

Owner of Phantoms Academy Perth Irfan Bangash says ACL U19 edition will help young stars for bright future.

30/04/2024

Announces T20 squad for coming T20 World Cup as well

30/04/2024

announced T20 squad for

Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley and Mark Wood

25/04/2024

Pakistani young Speed Star Usman Khan excited to represent Pakistan in International level. He played Aussie Cricket League T20 U19 2024 in Sydney.

Watch full interview