Stories

Story submitted by Greg Smith (Navy):

I was stationed in HMAS COONAWARRA when Tracy hit…We were having Xmas function when we were told the cyclone we were expecting was going to hit Darwin. Everyone returned to dongas homes etc. I was woken sometime early morning when found my mattress soaked and water entering through deck-head. Tried to leave but door handle was electric. So, with torch overalls got in closet. Sometime later heard sirens so headed to designated meeting area and awaited Tracy arrival…It was thunderous when struck. It lasted for some time then the eye passed over…thought of us with torches and foot coverings were told to go and check as many surrounding buildings in area that we could find people…we’re told as no idea how long to Tracy eye passing over, told to go for approximate 20 25 min or hear whistle to return. We did this returned to area and resumed sitting with backs against whatever window protection was placed over them. Women and children sitting in middle or room. Then Tracy returned with a vengeance. After storm had passed started the job of cleanup.

Story submitted by Janice Banks (Navy):

My maiden name on Navy enlistment was Bale. I was LePage at the time of Cyclone Tracy. I was serving at HMAS HARMAN as a communicator. My husband at that time was on HMAS STUART and he had come down to Canberra to spend Christmas with me. On Christmas Day he was recalled back to Sydney to join the STUART and I was asked to report to the Natural Disaster Centre off Northbourne Avenue in Canberra. This was a tri-service operation. I remember a Colonel Jones (if I remember correctly). I helped with communications and general support in the operations room. We received messages reporting the damage in Darwin and lists of injuries and sadly lists of people who had passed. Some who had been identified and others not known. We worked tirelessly day and night organising supplies to be sent up on our LCH’s. Phone calls from desperate families wanting to know what was happening and how could they get their loved ones back down south. Trying to reassure them that we were doing everything we can to evacuate them down south. Roadblocks were set up to stop family members trying to get into the Northern Territory to rescue their families. Food, fresh water and petrol very scarce, so we didn’t want people going in to rescue them. I didn’t serve in Darwin, but we knew people serving there. It was a privilege to be part of a team all pulling together with one purpose to help the people of Darwin, everyone working together. I don’t have any photos, but I felt their heartache and desperation through reading the messages we received and phone calls from families wanting news of their loved ones.