Adelaide Remember When: Clairvoyant John Nash predicted earthquake and tidal wave would obliterate Adelaide in January 1976

IT WAS in January 1976 that Adelaide made world headlines when Melbourne house painter and amateur clairvoyant John Nash revealed he’d had a vision in which Adelaide was obliterated by an earthquake and tidal wave.

IT WAS in January 1976 that Adelaide made world headlines when Melbourne house painter and amateur clairvoyant John Nash revealed he’d had a vision in which Adelaide city - and its 800,000 inhabitants - were obliterated by an earthquake and tidal wave.

Mr Nash claimed that doomsday would be between 10.30am and noon on January 19. He was so convinced by his own vision he sold his house and moved to another state.

His predictions were driven by his personal religious beliefs and, with Adelaide at that time leading the rest of Australia in reforming anti-homosexual laws, Mr Nash was convinced that the wrath of the Almighty was about to befall the city.

The media publicity caused panic in some sections of the Adelaide community, particularly among non-English speaking migrants, who reportedly sold up and actually moved away from the area completely.

It is said that people sold off beachfront properties at bargain prices and hotels in the area reported a drop of 75 per cent in occupancy. Many staff members working in seaside establishments either refused to work or took a sickie on the day. There were reports that some parents kept their children home, not allowing them out of their sight, and some even drove to the Adelaide Hills with all their possessions in the car while others headed out of town, driving as far as the Riverland.

Caravan parks in country centres were full the night before the predicted tsunami and almost completely empty 24 hours later.

People who can recall the day speak of a “buzz in the air” and a feeling of expectation as the time of the predicted catastrophe approached.

Most laughed it off as silly nonsense but there was also a certain sense of apprehension and uncertainty. It was certainly the main topic of conversation.

The BBC in London dispatched a television crew to Glenelg to record the predicted devastation and media arrived from interstate in their droves, including one Sydney radio station that sent its entire morning program staff for a live, on-the-spot broadcast.

When the big morning of the tidal wave arrived, thousands headed to the beach. There was a mostly fun mood within the crowd. Some carried banners calling for everyone to repent their sins as the end was nigh; others were dressed in bathers with flippers and goggles, prepared for a swim.

Still others carried surfboards while one wag turned out in top-hat and tails, announcing that he wanted to go in style.

Glenelg took on something of a carnival atmosphere during the morning as people, eager to be part of the occasion, continued to arrive. South Australian premier Don Dunstan, well known for his theatrics, made an appearance about mid-morning, ready to do a King Canute and turn back the tide if necessary.

He assured the gathered multitude that nothing would happen and there would be no disaster. He received a warm welcome from the crowd and a cheer when he said that Mr Nash was not welcome back in Adelaide. As the clock ticked down to midday, somebody started a countdown and the thousands who had gathered all looked out to sea, waited ... and nothing happened.

There was no tidal wave and no earthquake.

Gradually the crowds began to wander off, some to the nearest bar.

Others took advantage of the summer weather and stayed at the beach for the day and still others drifted off home.

The next morning, The Advertiser in its editorial said: “Hopefully, the lesson we should all have learnt from yesterday’s pathetic anticlimax is to rely more on our common sense and less on the silly and unscientific speculation of self-appointed soothsayers.”

The prophet of doom left Adelaide, never to return. It was later reported he had taken up residence in a small country town in NSW which was hit by floods not long after his arrival.

Rob Shoebridge writes recently on the Adelaide Remember When blog of how some employers joined in the spirit of the day: “I was working at WRE (Weapons Research Establishment) at Salisbury at the time and I remember the day well. We were all given life jackets, a kayak and a paddle so we could surf the waves when it happened.

“We all waited with anticipation but, of course, nothing eventuated. It was a funny day, though ’’

Mo Meta Blues recalls the day, also: “My wife and I both worked in the city and we seriously thought about having a sickie to go to Glenelg and see Don Dunstan address the crowds, but common sense prevailed . Neither of us believed in the forecast, but as a gag I took my beach towel to work.”

Mo also recalls how some businesses took advantage of the chatter by creating advertising around the forecast disaster.

“I loved some of the tongue-in-cheek ads that were around, like the car dealer who placed an ad in The Advertiser saying ‘Buy your car now and drive out of Adelaide before the tidal wave hits’, and another who advertised ‘Buy our car on the never-never because you might never have to pay’,” he says.

Many other posters on the blog reminisce about how everyone in Adelaide was talking about the prophecy on the day and not much else.

Anne Nikolik says: “Even though I was only 11 at the time I remember it well. I asked my mum if it was true, because that’s all everyone was talking about.”

What are your memories of that January day in 1976?

Bob Byrne is the author of the book Adelaide Remember When and writes a daily column on his Adelaide Remember When Blog at adelaiderememberwhen.com.au