1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: Well, as we know, Christmas Day marks the fiftieth anniversary 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: of Cyclone Tracy, and for those who survived the devastating 3 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: natural disaster, it's a time of mixed emotions. My next 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: guest lived in Nakara at the time, with her parents, 5 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: her little sister, and older brother. Survivor Christine Brown joins 6 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 1: me on the line. Good morning, Christine, Good morning Katie. 7 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: Lovely to have you on the show. Christine, haven't yeah anytime. 8 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: Can you take me back to Christmas Eve in nineteen 9 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: seventy four what you were up to. 10 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:38,519 Speaker 2: Well, Christmas Eve nineteen seventy four, we were getting excited 11 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 2: obviously the next day and we Mum and dadd had 12 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 2: bought us a pool table and it had been set 13 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 2: up in the lounge room and we were beyond excited 14 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 2: to have that. And we also picked our first pineapple 15 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 2: out of the garden. So I remember getting really excited 16 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 2: by the fact we're eating our first pineapple and playing cool. 17 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 2: So that was that's what was the highlight of Christmas 18 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:07,919 Speaker 2: Eve was for us. Oh, Christine, early on. 19 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 1: I reckon it would have been, you know, getting a 20 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: pool table from your parents. I can't even imagine. 21 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 2: I know, incredible, wasn't that. I don't know where they 22 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,040 Speaker 2: thought they were going to put it after Christmas Day, 23 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:20,120 Speaker 2: but it was set up in the lounge room, so 24 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 2: that's where we were. We were. Yeah, it was great. 25 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:27,759 Speaker 1: How nice. Now obviously things took a real turn. Were 26 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 1: you prepared for cyclone Tracy at your place? Oh? 27 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 2: Not really. We'd had Cyclone Selma a few weeks before, 28 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 2: and we were used to having cyclones around us, so 29 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 2: and no way would you imagine that something like that 30 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 2: would happen on Christmas Day. You just none of us 31 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: were really prepared. I don't think. 32 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 1: Well, I guess it's one of those things, even for 33 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: those of us that live here now. You know, you 34 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: can think you're prepared for a cyclone, but when something 35 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: like Tracy awry, I don't know that anybody could be 36 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: truly prepared. 37 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 2: No for what we experienced with Tracy, You're right, I 38 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 2: don't think there's any No one could have been prepared 39 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:16,119 Speaker 2: for that, as you can see by the footage. Yeah, 40 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 2: at the moment that it looked like a bomb had 41 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 2: gone off. 42 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,680 Speaker 1: So when did things start to take a two? 43 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 2: I'm just a twelve year old kid at that age, 44 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 2: so I'm not really sure about timing. All I know 45 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 2: that it was got really, really really windy. And then Dad, 46 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 2: we got into the hallway of our home, put some 47 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 2: mattresses down, and we tried to get our dog inside 48 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 2: when he was an outside dog, and he did not 49 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 2: want to come in, but we got him in, and 50 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 2: then we went into the bathroom, which and then the 51 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 2: ceiling was flipping out. And when Dad decided that we 52 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 2: should go and move into their bedroom, which was a 53 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 2: fervorous away from where the wind was coming. 54 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: And I understand that your younger sister was quite scared 55 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 1: at that point. Was she with you? Yes? She was. 56 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 2: It was uh, there was my mum, my dad, my 57 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 2: little sister Gerald, and our big brother Anthony. Yeah, and 58 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:23,720 Speaker 2: we're all together. 59 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 1: And so you're all sheltering there and and you know, 60 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: I can only imagine the kind of wind that you were, 61 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 1: that you were hearing, the sounds that you were hearing 62 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: at that point. What what happened next? 63 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 2: So it was really really well I thought it was 64 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 2: just you know, like inn at the beginning an adventure. 65 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: I can't even imagine that something like that could ever happen. 66 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 2: And so Dad turned the bed upside down and put 67 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 2: the mattress on top, and I got under the My 68 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 2: little sister Geraldine got under the bed, and Mum got 69 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 2: under the bed with us, and Anthony was sort of 70 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 2: standing beside it near Dad. And then unfortunately the weight 71 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 2: of the water and the mattress and then the house 72 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 2: fell on top of us on the bed and we 73 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:22,039 Speaker 2: were under the bed and the bed collapsed on top 74 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 2: of the three of us. 75 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 1: And it was at that point that you lost your 76 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: little sister. 77 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 2: Well, during that time under there, I think we were 78 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 2: trapped for about twelve hours under the bed and Dad 79 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 2: tried to get the bed off us, but he couldn't 80 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:44,039 Speaker 2: because the wall fell on his back and so he 81 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,720 Speaker 2: was trapped, and Anthony was trapped in a little size 82 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:51,159 Speaker 2: thing so he couldn't move either. But we were squashed 83 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:57,720 Speaker 2: under the bed, and during the night Geraldine passed away 84 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 2: with Mum and I yeah. 85 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 1: You know, I guess it would be you know, you'd 86 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:06,719 Speaker 1: take heart and the fact that the three of you 87 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 1: were together, well, that you were all together. But you know, 88 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 1: for a lot of people listening this morning, I think 89 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 1: the trauma of Tracy is something that a lot of 90 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 1: survivors are trying to live with. But I can't imagine 91 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:23,600 Speaker 1: what it's been like for you, you know, after losing your 92 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: little sister. 93 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:30,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it's it's it's been very very difficult 94 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 2: because she was really leaning up. She was we were 95 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,679 Speaker 2: together and she was eight when I was only twelve, 96 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 2: and Mom was there with us. But it's you know, 97 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:45,159 Speaker 2: it's been with me for my entire for the last 98 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 2: fifty years. And from that same the pressure on us. 99 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 2: I have a permanent black eye, and that's meant it's 100 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:58,240 Speaker 2: been my outward mark and so I've always, excuse me, 101 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 2: I've always had to live with it, and it's been 102 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 2: very very difficult. So this coming now, excuse me, right, Yeah, 103 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 2: coming to Darwin in the next few days is yeah, 104 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:20,359 Speaker 2: it's good. My sister and I are my sister, Stephanie. 105 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 2: She and I are flying up to be part of 106 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 2: the commemoration, and I think it's time for us to 107 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 2: put this chapter of our lives to be done with it. 108 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 2: After all this it's been affecting me for fifty years 109 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 2: and it needs to stop for me. 110 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, what do you reckon? It's going to be 111 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 1: like for you coming, you know, like coming back and 112 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 1: and you know the commemorations. I would imagine it's going 113 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 1: to be difficult, but like hopefully. 114 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 2: Cathartic, we're going to have fun. My sister and I've 115 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,799 Speaker 2: decided because we're going to be surrounded by a family 116 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 2: of people who know exactly what it was like we 117 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:06,599 Speaker 2: are all we are so looking forward to being with 118 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 2: other survivors and and you know, holding hands and laughing 119 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 2: and feeling that sense of family in a way, because 120 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 2: we're a community that know what each other has been through, 121 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 2: and not many people can understand or feel that these 122 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 2: people do, and they're like family to us. So we're 123 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 2: really we're three at the moment because we're getting ready 124 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 2: to go, but we're really I think looking forward to 125 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 2: just being around our people for a while, you know, 126 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 2: and then yeah. 127 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: Like I hope it is. I think it will be 128 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: hopefully a really nice, tough but a nice occasion for 129 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: Cyclone Tracy survivors. And I've spoken to a lot a 130 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 1: lot of Cyclone Tracy survivors through this week, and even 131 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: you know, when you're you hear, you hear your experiences 132 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,960 Speaker 1: and and it's helped, I think for me and a 133 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 1: lot of other Territorians to truly understand the history of 134 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: Darwin and the fabric of Darwin and the resilience of 135 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: people that lived in Darwin at that time. And it 136 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: does not get more resilient than you and your family. 137 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, and we've lived there for like we've I've only 138 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 2: been out of done for a little while. 139 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 1: I go back, you know. 140 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 2: But yeah, it's it's it's for us. It's cathartic, is 141 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 2: what you said. And I think you're right, you know. 142 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 2: And my sister has her story that relates to because 143 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 2: she wasn't with us when Geraldine passed, but she knew 144 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 2: so and and we we just want to be together 145 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 2: and and do what we need. I'm actually telling us 146 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 2: my story at the Railway Club Christmas Eve. Yeah, so 147 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 2: that's what's happening there. And and my's got this beautiful 148 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 2: piece of artwork that she's showing on while she's there 149 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 2: as well. And yeah, for us, it's our time to 150 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:14,319 Speaker 2: heal at last, and to still remember Geraldine and that 151 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 2: and remember her and our family, but also now to 152 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 2: say okay, enough is enough, psychling Tracy can just now go. Yeah, 153 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 2: good on you, that's what we're hoping. 154 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, good on you, And I hope it does that 155 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 1: for a lot of our Tracy survivors as well. 156 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 2: It's meat. 157 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's you know, I can't even begin to imagine 158 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: how tough it is for you guys. Christine. I really 159 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:42,320 Speaker 1: appreciate you telling your story. I know it's not an 160 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: easy thing to do, and I know as we get 161 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 1: closer and closer to Christmas Day, you know, it's it's 162 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: a difficult feeling. So I really appreciate you. 163 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, Okay, thank you very much, Katie. And and I'm 164 00:09:56,920 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 2: sure I will see you sometime over the I. 165 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: Reckon you will. We will do. Thank you, thanks so 166 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: much for your time.