Historic Monaro out from under wraps for anniversary of Tasman Bridge disaster

FRANK Manley doesn’t get his Monaro out that often, but each time he does it’s a special moment.

FRANK Manley doesn’t get his 1974 Holden Monaro GTS out that often, but each time he does it’s always a special moment.

The image of Mr Manley’s Monaro teetering off the edge of the Tasman Bridge after bulk ore carrier Lake Illawarra crashed and took out a 127m section of the bridge 40 years ago today was the iconic moment of the disaster that claimed 12 lives.

MORE: LIGHTS TO GO OUT TO HONOUR 12 WHO DIED

The car, which is still in near-mint condition with Mr Manley keeping it under army blankets, was given a rare outing at today’s opening of an exhibition at the Schoolhouse Gallery at Rosny to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Tasman Bridge disaster.

“I would like another new car but I just don’t want this thing to go out of Tasmania,” Mr Manley said.

The exhibition also features many Mercury clippings, local television footage, audio recordings of people’s account of the disaster and even items belonging to the Lake Illawarra that still lies on the bed of the River Derwent.

Some of the Mercury newspaper clippings on display at the exhibition.

As well as the exhibition, there will be a commemoration at 9.27pm on the bridge itself where a plaque will be unveiled at the point of impact.

“I’m bloody happy about that cause I’ve been pushing for one to go up there for years,” said Mr Manley.

Speaking at the exhibition opening, Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman, Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey and Infrastructure Minister for Rene Hidding paid tribute to the 12 people lost in the disaster and spoke about the importance of the tragedy in shaping both the Eastern and Western shores of Hobart.

The exhibition will run until January 27. The Schoolhouse Gallery is open from 11am to 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday.

Originally published as Historic Monaro out from under wraps for anniversary of Tasman Bridge disaster