Cyclone Tracy survivors burst into tears Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute for those who lost their lives in one of Australia’s worst natural disasters.
The category four cyclone tore through the Northern Territory capital half a century ago on Christmas Eve and in the early hours of Christmas Day in 1974.
The cyclone paralyzed the city, while heavy rain, severe storms and damaging winds of up to 217 kilometers per hour downed power lines and destroyed the homes of thousands of families.
The devastating storm tragically claimed the lives of 66 people.
Mr Albanese joined Governor-General Sam Mostyn in paying their respects to them – and to the city’s brave survivors – on the 50th anniversary of the devastating tragedy on Wednesday.
A memorial, complete with a shadow sculpture, was also unveiled to honor those who lost their lives at sea or died during the cyclone.
Artist Techy Masero designed and built the monument, which is aptly named ‘Five Decades, Five Flowers, Forever Remembered’.
Ms Masero explained that her inspiration for the work was the countless frangipani flowers left all over the city, scattered by the wind.
Mr Albanese traveled to Darwin with Governor-General Sam Mostyn for the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy and to unveil a monument commemorating the disaster
Artist Techy Masero designed and built the monument, aptly named ‘Five Decades, Five Flowers, Forever Remembered’, in honor of those who died during the cyclone
The monument consists of five frangipani flowers made of polished concrete and steel surrounding a metal canopy symbolizing the twisted corrugated iron that was blown through the city.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Albanese described the tragedy as “the destructive force of nature at its very worst”.
“An entire city has almost been wiped off the map,” Albanese said.
“Across Darwin, families huddled anxiously in the safest places they could find, whispering prayers, holding each other tight, waiting for the howling darkness to pass.”
His words resonated with the survivors, whose sobs became audible and their tears were wiped away together as Tracy’s trauma resurfaced.
There was a sense of collective grief as the memorial was unveiled and the names of those identified as having died during Cyclone Tracy were revealed.
Mr Albanese reminded the crowd that many more lives, especially First Nations people, had been lost but never counted.
“For many First Nations people, their loss went unrecorded when families returned to their traditional homelands,” Albanese said.
Families and friends gathered to pay tribute to those who died (pictured)
Mr Albanese (centre) praised Darwin residents for their ‘profound courage’ and described the cyclone as ‘nature at its very worst’
“Today we gather to pay our nation’s respects to all those who were taken from their loved ones that fateful night.”
The Prime Minister, who was living in Sydney as a child when Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, also praised Darwin’s residents for their “profound courage”.
He added that the cyclone highlighted the “strength and kindness of Australians at their best”, including the emergency services and “ordinary Australians who responded with characteristic generosity” and rushed to the disaster area.
“Above all, we pay tribute to the great resilience of the great city of Darwin and the proud people who call it home, because the hard work of rebuilding homes, communities and lives is always an act of profound courage,” Mr Albanese said.
“As the modern city of Darwin has grown and prospered, it has changed and evolved – the unique character of this place and the special warmth of the people who call it home remains stronger than ever,” Mr Albanese said.
‘The monument we unveil today is a tribute to those qualities and to this solemn truth.
‘The story of Darwin and the story of Australia – whatever the challenge, we face it together and we take care of each other.’
Governor-General Sam Mostyn described the people of Darwin as tenacious and praised them for the kindness they showed during the first few days after the cyclone.
Cyclone Tracy tore through Darwin on Christmas Eve and during the early morning hours of Christmas Day in 1974
The cyclone paralyzed the city as heavy rain, severe storms and damaging winds of up to 217 kilometers per hour downed power lines and destroyed the homes of thousands of families.
“This is your tenacity, your love for Darwin and your commitment to ensuring that what you and your community have experienced will not be forgotten,” Ms Mostyn said.
‘It was all of you, the people who stayed determined to prepare for what was to come to ensure Darwin survived – you are a tenacious bunch.
“(You) took care of each other and I think you taught the country what true care and kindness looks like.
‘The care and kindness of the community and those first few days set the stage for the perseverance and determination and ensured that a new Darwin would soon emerge.
“As much as we mourn the loss of those who didn’t make it, it tells us so much about what makes you powerful today.”
The ceremony concluded with families, survivors and dignitaries embracing at the site where the tropical cyclone first made landfall half a century ago.