Cyclone Tracy survivors burst into tears as Prime minister Antonio Albanese paid tribute to those who lost their lives in one of Australia’s worst natural disasters.
The category four cyclone devastated the Northern Territory capital half a century ago on Christmas Eve and in the early morning hours of Christmas Day 1974.
The cyclone devastated the city as heavy rain, severe storms and damaging winds of up to 217 km/h brought down power lines and destroyed the homes of thousands of families.
The destructive storm tragically claimed the lives of 66 people.
Albanese, along with Governor General Sam Mostyn, paid their respects to them – and the city’s brave survivors – on the 50th anniversary of Wednesday’s devastating tragedy.
A memorial, complete with a shadow sculpture, was also unveiled to honor those who were lost at sea or killed during the cyclone.
Artist Techy Masero designed and built the monument, which is aptly named “Five Decades, Five Flowers, Remembered Forever.”
Masero explained that his inspiration for the work was the countless frangipani flowers that the wind left scattered throughout the city.
Albanese along with Governor-General Sam Mostyn traveled to Darwin for the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy and to unveil a memorial commemorating the disaster.
Artist Techy Masero designed and built the monument, aptly named “Five Decades, Five Flowers, Remembered Forever,” in honor of those who died during the cyclone.
The monument is made up of five frangipani flowers made of polished concrete and steel surrounding a metal canopy that symbolizes the twisted corrugated iron that devastated the city.
Albanese spoke at the ceremony, calling the tragedy “the destructive force of nature at its worst.”
“An entire city was almost wiped off the map,” Albanese said.
“Across Darwin, families huddled fearfully in the safest places they could find, whispering prayers, hugging each other, waiting for the howling darkness to pass.”
Her words resonated with survivors whose sobs became audible, their tears drying each other as Tracy’s trauma resurfaced.
There was a sense of collective grief as the memorial revealing the names of those who died in Cyclone Tracy was unveiled.
Albanese reminded the crowd that many more lives, particularly First Nations people, had also been lost but were never counted.
“For many First Nations people, their loss was not recorded when families returned to their traditional homelands,” Albanese said.
Family and friends gathered to pay tribute to those who lost their lives (pictured)
Albanese (centre) praised Darwin residents for their “profound bravery” and described the cyclone as “nature’s worst”.
“Today we gather to pay our nation’s respects to all those who were separated from their loved ones that fateful night.”
The Prime Minister, who was a child living in Sydney when Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, also praised Darwin residents for their “profound courage”.
He added that the cyclone highlighted the “strength and kindness of Australians at their finest”, including emergency services and “everyday Australians who responded with their characteristic generosity” and rushed to the disaster zone. .
“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 deep courage,” Mr Albanese said.
“While the modern city of Darwin has grown and prospered, 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 we inaugurate today is a tribute to those qualities and this solemn truth.
“Darwin’s story and Australia’s story: no matter the challenge, we face it together and look out for each other.”
Governor-General Sam Mostyn described the people of Darwin as tenacious and praised them for the kindness shown during the first days after the cyclone.
Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve and during the early morning hours of Christmas Day 1974.
The cyclone devastated the city as heavy rain, severe storms and damaging winds of up to 217 km/h brought down power lines and destroyed the homes of thousands of families.
“This is your tenacity, your love for Darwin and your commitment to ensuring that what you and your community experienced is not forgotten,” Ms Mostyn said.
‘It was all of you, the people who resolutely stayed to prepare for what was to come and ensure that Darwin survived – you are a tenacious bunch.
‘(You) took care of each other and I think you taught the country what true care and kindness looks like.
‘The care and kindness of the community and those early days sustained persistence and determination and ensured that a new Darwin emerged and emerged quickly.
“As much as we mourn the loss of those who didn’t make it, it tells us a lot about what makes you powerful today.”
The ceremony concluded with families, survivors and dignitaries hugging each other as they stood at the site where the tropical cyclone first made landfall half a century ago.