Construction is underway for the Cyclone Tracy memorial at East Point

Construction has begun for the Cyclone Tracy memorial at East Point in preparation for the unveiling on Christmas Day. See the photos.

Construction has begun for East Point's Cyclone Tracy memorial.

Construction has begun for a Cyclone Tracy memorial at East Point, with the tribute to be unveiled on Christmas Day.

The East Point memorial – designed by Top End local Techy Masero more than a year ago – marks where Cyclone Tracy first made landfall nearly 50 years ago.

The memorial features a stainless steel shade structure representing fallen powerlines, and five steelwork “frangipani flowers” – a common feature outside pre-Tracy Darwin homes – representing five decades since the destructive cyclone struck.

Cranes were used to build part of the shade structure.

The memorial will be unveiled by top government officials on December 25 – including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.

Remembering Cyclone Tracy Committee chair Richard Creswick said he was “very proud” of the builders and his committee – which is made up mostly of Cyclone Tracy survivors.

Mr Creswick said he frequently visited the East Point memorial.

Richard Creswick and artist Techy Masero.

“I’ve been visiting the memorial for hours each day and the progress being made is great,” he said.

“The whole memorial looks simply magnificent.”

Mr Creswick said “it’s amazing how many people are unaware” of the East Point memorial and invited Territorians to head down on December 25 to witness the launch.

“Almost 50 years ago on Christmas Day, people emerged from their cars, caravans, boats, bathrooms, bedrooms and more to absolute devastation and destruction,” he said.

“It’s such a powerful part of our history, and the least we can do as Territorians is get down there.”

One of the five frangipanis designed by local artist Techy Masero.

Mr Creswick said survivors who had been asking for a memorial for a number of years will finally have one.

“We’ve been asking for a memorial to Cyclone Tracy for decades – even as far back as a year after Tracy,” he said.

“After years of advocating, we finally have a dedicated Cyclone Tracy memorial.”

East Point’s memorial plaque to be unveiled on Christmas Day.

Mr Creswick also encouraged Territorians to attend a series of events organised by The Remembering Cyclone Tracy committee at the end of December.

The events run from December 23 to December 29.

Tickets can be purchased at https://aapevents.eventsair.com/50cyctracy

Originally published as Construction is underway for the Cyclone Tracy memorial at East Point