‘Nature at its very worst’: Monument unveiled 50 years on from Cyclone Tracy tragedy

Survivors of “the destructive force of nature at its very worst” have gathered with politicians to mark 50 years since the Australian tragedy.

Survivors of the Cyclone Tracy disaster have gathered with politicians for the unveiling of a memorial, 50 years on from the tragedy that claimed more than 60 lives.

The 1974 cyclone swept through Darwin on Christmas Eve and the early morning of Christmas Day, with the 217km/hour winds taking down power lines and destroying homes, with storms, gusts and rain ravaging the city.

A memorial, complete with a shade sculpture, was unveiled on Wednesday as a place of reflection and remembrance.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reflected on the tragedy and called it “the destructive force of nature at its very worst”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended a dawn service to mark 50 years since Cyclone Tracy hit. Picture: NewsWire/AIIM Photography Darwin.

Mr Albanese was present for the unveiling of a monument at East Point Reserve. Picture: NewsWire/AIIM Photography Darwin.

However he also said it had highlighted the “strength and kindness of Australians at their very best”, including ADF and emergency services who rushed in to help and the “everyday Australians everywhere who responded with characteristic generosity”.

“At the Boxing Day test, Australian and English cricketers walked around the ground with buckets collecting donations from the MCG crowd,” Mr Albanese said.

“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.”

The 1974 cyclone swept through Darwin on Christmas Eve and the early morning of Christmas Day. Picture: Supplied

Winds of 217km/hour took down power lines. Picture: Supplied

He said the reconstruction of Darwin took an “unprecedented” national and international effort that set new standards for safety and quality in construction, which meant the cyclones that hit Australia in the years following caused less damage to homes and “nothing like the terrible loss of life” seen with Cyclone Tracy.

“While the modern city of Darwin has grown and thrived, it has changed and evolved — the unique character of this place and the special warmth of the people who call it home endures stronger than ever,” Mr Albanese said,

“The monument that we unveil today stands in tribute to those qualities and to this solemn truth.

“The story of Darwin and the story of Australia — no matter the challenge, we face it together and we look after each other.”

Governor-General Sam Mostyn also spoke at the unveiling and said the rest of the country had “no idea” what those in Darwin were living through on Christmas and Boxing Day, given the lack of technology such as social media at the time.

Mr Albanese praised the ‘strength and kindness’ of Australians following the disaster. Picture: NewsWire/AIIM Photography Darwin.

She said the people of Darwin were “tenacious”.

“It was all of you, the people that determinedly stayed to get ready for what was to come to make sure Darwin survived — you are a tenacious group,” Ms Mostyn said.

“(You) took care of each other and I think you taught the country what real care and kindness looks like.”

“The care and kindness of the community and those first few days underpinning the persistence and determination and ensured a new Darwin would emerge and emerge quickly … as much as we mourn the loss of those that did not make it, that tells us so much about

what makes you mighty today.”

Homes were destroyed in the cyclone. Picture: Supplied

Survivors of the cyclone gathered on Wednesday to mark 50 years on. Picture: Supplied

She praised the generosity of those in the Northern Territory who offered clothes and accommodation to people affected by the cyclone.

“The generosity of Australians kicked in, and I am proud that is what we rely on whenever disasters occur across the country,” she said.

She finished her address by urging people to think of all the survivors.

“I hope the nation’s focus this Christmas Day is all on Darwin, paying attention to the stories that come from here and a little reflection on what is so much of the strength of the Australian character, which I think is all about love and care and kindness for one another,” she said.

“For those of you that think of today as a hard day, please think of all the survivors and I hope it is an enjoyable time.

“Make sure we take the time to remember the most important national events of which this is one.

“You have brought us to you and we will take you to the country and the world.”

Originally published as ‘Nature at its very worst’: Monument unveiled 50 years on from Cyclone Tracy tragedy