City of Darwin holds commemorative Cyclone Tracy event for 50 year anniversary

Hundreds of people have paused to remember the lives lost to Cyclone Tracy, with survivors and descendants gathering to reflect on one of Australia’s darkest days.

Cyclone Tracy survivor and Councillor Mick Palmer. Picture: Charlie Bliss.

Hundreds of people have paused to remember the lives lost to Cyclone Tracy, with survivors and descendants gathering to reflect on one Australia’s darkest days.

On Saturday morning, about 200 people attended the City of Darwin’s commemorative event, held at the Darwin Ski Club.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis was unable to attend the event due to illness, however the rows of seats were stacked with notable attendees, including Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and NT Administrator Hugh Heggie.

Survivors led the sombre occasion, with a number of speakers sharing their own memories of the disaster which claimed more than 60 lives.

Councillor Mick Palmer (left) with NT Administrator Hugh Heggie.

Councillor Mick Palmer told the audience Cyclone Tracy was an “unimaginable” disaster.

“(It) was more than a storm – it was a force of nature that defied expectations and devastated our community,” he said.

“Cyclone Tracy was more than just a generic tragedy.”

Mr Palmer paid tribute to the men and women who responded in the aftermath of the disaster.

“There would have been several hundred, if not several thousands of heroes created that night,” he said.

“People who with very little regard for their own personal safety went to the aid and assistance of family, friends, neighbours and indeed complete strangers.”

Dr Brian Reid said the cyclone left “devastation in every direction”. Photo: Supplied

Another survivor, Dr Brian Reid, recalled the night his house “just blew away”.

“Fortunately (for my family) there was no serious injuries, but I was actually shattered,” he said.

“It was just devastation in every direction; it was stunning.”

Attendees gather for the Cyclone Tracy commemoration, organised by the City of Darwin. Picture: Charlie Bliss.

A general medical practitioner, Dr Reid set up a medical clinic at Casuarina High School library, which remained standing.

“Hundreds of people were sheltering there, which would grow to thousands within the next couple of days.”

Attendees were played a recorded video message from New Zealand artist Phil Price, who was commissioned to design the sculpture which would commemorate the disaster’s 50th anniversary.

Survivors shared their testimonies and paid tribute to the acts of heroism that took place.

In his video he explained the sculptured, titled ‘Coriolis’.

“The Coriolis effect, as it’s known, is really an energy that’s created in our planetary system, and it’s the energy that largely has an impact on the weather within the atmosphere of the planet,” he said.

“For the most part, we have memorable days and enjoyable times when things are nice, and then at times, things are angry, and we’re exposed to the real forces that nature holds. So there’s my concept.”