Cars on edge of destroyed bridge at centre of exhibition

A Holden and Monaro car stand side-by-side in a new exhibition just as they did on the partially-collapsed Tasman Bridge 50 years ago.

Frank Manley and Robin Tripp – Tasman Bridge disaster exhibition. Picture: Caroline Tan

An EK Holden station wagon and HQ Monaro GTS stand side-by-side in the courtyard of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery just as they did on the partially-collapsed Tasman Bridge 50 years ago.

TMAG brought together Frank Manley, the original Monaro driver and owner, and Robin Tripp, a EK Holden owner, for a commemorative exhibition of the Tasman Bridge disaster entitled “On The Edge”.

TMAG director Mary Mulcahy said the Tasman Bridge disaster and the people – and cars – involved were an important Tasmanian story to tell.

“It was an event that changed Tasmania, but particularly here in Hobart, it divided a city,” she said.

Tasman Bridge disaster

“For people on the Eastern Shore, it had quite a big impact and there were a lot of things that happened out of it – it had social and economic implications.

“It really changed the way that people thought about themselves as Hobartians and I think it really showed how important it is for that connection between the two sides of the river.”

The two cars form the main part of the ‘On The Edge’ exhibition running from Friday, January 3 to Sunday, January 12, with two interpretive panels featuring the stories from the disaster.

While the exhibition may celebrate the cars and their stories, Ms Mulcahy said the vehicles and their positioning signify the poignant loss of this disaster – including through mimicking the well-recognised 1975 black and white image of the collapsed bridge.

Mary Mulcahy Curator and Director of Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery – Tasman Bridge disaster exhibition. Picture: Caroline Tan

“I think the other really important part of this is that 12 people died and we can’t forget that, it’s a commemoration of those people who lost their life as well,” she said.

For Robin Tripp, it was a journey in itself to get the EK Holden like the original vehicle on the bridge in Hobart for the anniversary.

“It broke down on Christmas Day when I was driving it down from Queensland and that had to be prepared, but we also had the issues with getting it ferried over,” he said.

“This car has been all around Europe, Australia, America – I was going to make sure it arrived for this really important day.”