Header image: Library & Archives NT. (1975). Wagaman after Cyclone Tracy. Northern Territory. Dept. of the Housing & Construction Collection, PH0026/0125. https://hdl.handle.net/10070/323484.
Early on Christmas morning of 1974, Darwin was devastated when hit by Cyclone Tracy. As the eye of the cyclone passed over the city between midnight and 7 am, torrential rain fell and the winds were officially recorded at 217 km per hour prior to the Bureau of Meteorology anemometer being destroyed.
Cyclone Tracy had a profound impact on the Darwin community with over 70 per cent of Darwin’s homes destroyed or suffering severe damage, all public services including communications, power, water and sewerage were severed, 41,000 people left homeless, 35,362 people (of the 47,000 total population of Darwin) were evacuated and tragically 66 lives were lost.
2024 Cyclone Tracy 50th Anniversary Commemorations
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy.
Several activities and events are running throughout November and December 2024, with an official commemorative ceremony taking place on 30 November 2024.
Visit our Cyclone Tracy 50th Anniversary pages for more information. You can register your interest for the 50th Anniversary commemoration event on the Eventbrite page.
The program aims to recognise the significant impact of Cyclone Tracy on the Darwin community and assist with the ongoing healing process for community members from the effects of Cyclone Tracy.
The program will include but is not limited to events, ceremonies, interactive activations, exhibitions, editorials, broadcasting, installations, live storytelling, commemorative memorabilia, memorials and documentaries, and augmented reality.
Three program themes have been identified to help shape the outcomes and create cohesion across all contributors. Themes will also tell the audience what to expect and potentially attract a larger, more diverse audience.
Themes for endorsement are as follows:
- Commemoration
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Commemorative elements will aim to pay tribute and provide opportunities for remembrance for participants, attendees or audiences.
- Education
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Educational program elements will aim to inform, engage, and create learning opportunities for participants, attendees or audiences.
- Recognition
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These elements will aim to create awareness, appreciation, and acknowledgment to survivors, their families, service officers, and all those who were affected and supported.
Cyclone Tracy 50th Anniversary Commemoration Grants Program
This program is aimed at supporting and assisting the community to hold events and activities to commemorate this significant event in Darwin’s history. It will provide funding to the not-for-profit events, activities, or programs to achieve the Cyclone Tracy 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program objectives.
There are two categories of funding in the Grants Program:
- Minor Commemorative Grants - up to $1,000
- Major Commemorative Grants - $1,001 to $5,000
For more information and to check your eligibility, refer to Cyclone Tracy 50th Anniversary Commemoration Grants Program Guidelines.
Sponsorship opportunities
Sponsors will be our valuable partners and will contribute greatly to the success of the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy Commemoration.
The sponsorship package is limited in numbers to ensure maximum exposure.
For more information, refer to the Sponsorship Prospectus or email darwin@darwin.nt.gov.au
More information
For further information contact the Events Producer - darwin@darwin.nt.gov.au