Cyclone Tracy survivors protest City of Darwin’s 50th anniversary event

As hundreds attended the City of Darwin’s commemorative event dedicated to Cyclone Tracy, a small group of survivors opted to protest instead.

A group of Cyclone Tracy survivors opted to protest the City of Darwin’s commemorative event. Picture: Harry Brill.

As many Territorians attended the City of Darwin’s commemorative event dedicated to Cyclone Tracy, a small group of survivors instead opted to protest the council.

At the Darwin Ski Club on Saturday morning, hundreds of people passed the group of survivors who have been criticising the council for months.

The group’s ire was sparked in June, when the City of Darwin revealed a $700k kinetic art sculpture dedicated to the cyclone.

Survivor and protester Antony Bullock says the City of Darwin “never consulted” himself and other survivors. Picture: Harry Brill.

Survivor Antony Bullock told this publication the group was “unhappy” with council.

“We were never consulted, and the kinetic structure that has been put together is in no way representative of our of our feelings or experiences through Cyclone Tracy,” he said.

“We are upset about it.”

In June, the City of Darwin announced construction for the sculpture had been supported by the Federal and Territory governments, who contributed $300,000 and $100,000 in funding respectively.

The sculpture’s official unveiling ceremony, originally planned for Friday, was cancelled due to Prime Minister Minister Anthony Albanese pulling out of his Top End trip.

However, the sculpture has already been erected and is now available for public viewing.

The protesters stayed put for hours outside the event. Picture: Harry Brill.

Mr Bullock maintained the design of the sculpture itself was not the key issue, but called on the City of Darwin to return the Federal and Territory government’s funds.

“We firmly believe that the council has admonished or breached their agreement with (the Federal and Territory governments) who provided the funding,” he said.

“If you want to keep this kinetic structure and call it public art, fine, do so.

“But do the right thing and return that funding and let the territory government then determine as to how that money be spent appropriately for a suitable monument as promised by the Prime Minister.”

Originally published as Cyclone Tracy survivors protest City of Darwin’s 50th anniversary event