This year marks the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, one of the most destructive disasters ever recorded in Australia. Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin in the early hours of Christmas Day 1974 with wind gusts reaching 217 kilometres per hour.
Cyclone Tracy killed 71 people, seriously injured 145 and wiped out 80 per cent of the city. Survivors who spent hours sheltering in their homes were left traumatised, with many never returning to Darwin.
Our resident journalist Robert (Moose) Muir was living at Darwin at the time, and the memory of surviving such a significant disaster stays with him forever.
If you also have lasting memories from this natural disaster or were directly impacted and want to share your memories send Moose an email at journalist@yarrawongachronicle.com.au.