The Darwin DiverCity Series was created by photographer Georgia Politis in 2020 to celebrate the people of Darwin in all their richness and diversity. From cultural backgrounds and careers to abilities, challenges, and the unique stories that shape the community, the series shines a light on what makes Darwin and the Northern Territory so unique.

As a second-generation Territorian, Georgia recognises the importance of sharing these stories, many of which reach far beyond Darwin itself. She personally photographs and interviews each participant, then writes and designs their story - all at no cost to members selected. For Georgia, the series is never just about creating a portrait; it is about listening, understanding, and providing people with a platform where they feel truly seen and valued.

What began as a small idea has since grown into a recognised community project, with stories and images featured by both local and national media outlets across print, online, and radio.

The first exhibition, held at the Darwin Galleria in 2024, was made possible through generous community donations as well as significant support from Georgia herself. More than 250 people attended opening night, and around 600 visitors attended across the week. Entry was free, and each participant was gifted their portrait. A donation jar at that exhibition also raised funds for participant Apryl Mitchell’s medical expenses, with the Darwin community responding with remarkable generosity.

Each story takes between 10 and 20 hours to complete, covering the application process, planning, photoshoot, interview, writing, and editing. While the work is both time-intensive and emotionally demanding, it is also deeply rewarding. To date, Georgia has shared the stories of more than 80 participants across three series. Series One (2020–2024) has been fully released, while Series Two and Three are currently in development, with sneak peeks already shared.

The long-term vision for the Darwin DiverCity Series is to showcase once every 1-2 years with a new series released each time. The next exhibition will likely exhibit series one, two and three (which will be between 100 and 130 portraits) celebrating the diversity, resilience, and beauty of Darwin and the Northern Territory through powerful storytelling and portraiture.