00:00On a humid Darwin morning, Cyclone Tracey survivors and local residents paused to reflect
00:09on the storm that changed everything.
00:12The speed, strength and ferocity of Tracey shocked not only our Darwin community but
00:19the Australian people.
00:21It is a shared memory that looms large in our identity as a nation.
00:28I actually thought it was the end of the world, I didn't think we'd see daylight again.
00:32We ended up going into the hallway and huddled in a little cupboard, so we were in a built-in
00:36cupboard and saying prayers all night.
00:39At least 66 people were killed and many injured when the destructive storm tore the city apart
00:45on Christmas morning in 1974.
00:48Cyclone Tracey, the events are all very personal and individual.
00:54These ladies were children at the time, two sisters and their neighbour, sheltering together.
00:59We all grew up together and we went through Cyclone Tracey together and we just thought
01:04why not all come today and enjoy the day and go back to memories and we've already seen
01:10a lot of people and spoken a lot of memories haven't we, it's been great.
01:14Some survivors used the event to protest outside the gates, disappointed about a sculpture
01:20commissioned by the City of Darwin which they say doesn't speak to them.
01:25A sentiment shared by others who attended.
01:28It's not significant for Cyclone Tracey and what happened to us and it doesn't have any
01:34meaning for me.
01:35I'm not saying it's not beautiful and the artist isn't talented, it's just not what
01:40I thought it would be.
01:42The artist flew home to New Zealand before the service, leaving a video message.
01:47It's my hope that this sculpture, Coriolis, makes a positive impact in this landscape
01:54and with this community.
01:56The Prime Minister has said in a statement that he understands and appreciates the significance
02:01of the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracey and that he'll be attending an event on Christmas
02:06Day.
02:07During the service a message from King Charles was also read aloud, sharing memories of a
02:13visit shortly after the cyclone and paying tribute to the resilience of locals.
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