Image Credit: Library & Archives NT – ph0026-0125
City of Darwin, in collaboration with partner organisations and community groups, has released a program of activities, events and initiatives to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said a highlight of the program was a public commemoration event coordinated by City of Darwin, which is scheduled to be held in Darwin on Saturday 30 November 2024.
“The public commemoration event will recognise the resilience of the Darwin community and acknowledge the profound impact Cyclone Tracy had on our past, present and future,” Mr Vatskalis said.
“Our aim is to make it an event of national significance that will be attended by local, state and federal government representatives.
“The event will be open for people of all ages to attend, including families, children, survivors, locals and tourists,” he said.
Other highlights of the event program include:
- 23 September to 4 October 2024: Pillowcase workshops, which will be hosted by the Red Cross at City of Darwin’s Libraries. Pillowcase workshops help children prepare for, cope with, and respond to an emergency and originated from pillowcases being used to carry cherished and basic possessions in an emergency.
- 7 November: A presentation from the CSIRO, which will discuss housing performance and extreme events, including lessons learnt from Cyclone Tracy, for a more resilient Darwin.
- November 2024 – January 2025: An art exhibition will be held at the Civic Centre, featuring iconic images from Baz Ledwidge and Beat Erismann that were taken during Cyclone Tracy.
- Late November 2024: Interpretative signs will be installed at key locations across Darwin, and a commemorative trail will be launched where people can visit Cyclone Tracy sites of significance.
- Late December 2024: a multi-faith Church service and a Midnight Mass are being planned as part of the commemoration program.
- 25 December: The city’s Christmas tree lights will be dimmed.
There are also several community events planned which have been supported by City of Darwin’s Cyclone Tracy 50th Anniversary Commemoration Grants Program, including:
- 16 July 2024: Kevin McCarthy hosts a special theatrical performance, Cyclone Tracy’s Golden Jubilee, combining the music, vision, audio and activities of pre-cyclone Darwin at Brown’s Mart Theatre.
- August 2024: Darwin Symphony Orchestra will premiere a new work by Larrakia senior elder Dr Aunty Bilawara Lee and NT Composer Netanela Mizrahi, Vital Forces, at the Darwin Festival.
- 20 September 2024: The Chung Wah Society will construct and present an exhibit commemorating the impact of Cyclone Tracy on the Darwin Chinese community at the NT Chinese Museum.
- 2 and 17 November 2024: Arafura Wind Ensemble will host a special event that will be a musical dialogue of the music of the time of Cyclone Tracy, and how community music has grown to what is today.
- December 2024: Big Dog Salad will premiere a TRACY feature film to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. It will be a grass roots, independent production by Darwin locals.
- 4 December 2024: St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc will create interpretive signage, including photos and stories of the first responders involved in Cyclone Tracy.
Members of the public, non-profits, government partners and other community groups are encouraged to submit details of commemorative activities for listing on the dedicated Cyclone Tracy website at
The website lists activities, events and projects led by individuals and community groups, including documentaries, films, artworks and public commemoration events.
Quotes attributable to Remembering Cyclone Tracy Inc Chair, Richard Creswick:
“Remembering Cyclone Tracy Inc will deliver a series of commemoration activities for survivors in December to assist with the ongoing healing process.
“The group’s events include a welcome function for survivors on Monday 23 December and a Tracy themed theatrical event to be held around the same time. A date for this is still to confirmed.
“The group will also hold a special Christmas sunrise unveiling of the Cyclone Tracy memorial being constructed at East Point.”
