Category Memorabilia

13 posts

Darwin . . . is a Way of Life – 1963

The Darwin…Is a Way of Life (1963) booklet is a tourism and lifestyle guide that provides a vivid snapshot of Darwin in the early 1960s. Published during an era of significant growth and development in the Northern Territory, this booklet highlights the unique climate, attractions, and relaxed culture of Darwin […]

Darwin UBD 1963

The U.B.D. Northern Territory Directory 1962-63 is a fascinating piece of memorabilia from pre-Cyclone Tracy Darwin. This directory, published by Universal Business Directories (U.B.D.), served as a comprehensive resource for residents and businesses in the Northern Territory during the early 1960s. It includes a wealth of information such as residential […]

Demolished homes in Darwin following Cyclone Tracy are featured on a Telecom phonecard for the 20th Anniversary of the cyclone.

Telecom Phone Card, 20th Anniversary Edition

This Telecom Phonecard was issued to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, which devastated Darwin on 25 December 1974. It is a $5 prepaid card featuring an image of the destruction caused by the cyclone, showing damaged buildings, overturned vehicles, and debris that illustrate the extent of the disaster’s […]

A permanent entry permit allowing Gunther Lackner to enter the Darwin Cyclone Disaster Area.

Permanent Entry Permit – Gunther Lackner

This is a Continuous Entry Authority or Permanent Entry Permit issued by the Department of the Northern Territory in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy. This surviving permit was kindly provided by Gunther Lackner. These permits were created to regulate and control access to the Darwin Cyclone Disaster Area during the […]

Evacuee Identity Card – Ian Roy Collins

This is the Darwin Evacuee Identity Card, commissioned by the Australian Government as part of the emergency response to Cyclone Tracy. The card was designed to assist evacuees displaced by the disaster, certifying their status as residents of Darwin at the time of the cyclone and ensuring they received support […]

Australia Post Memorial Stamp 2013

This stamp is part of the “Headline News” series issued by Australia Post in 2013, which commemorated significant events in Australian history. This particular stamp highlights Cyclone Tracy, a pivotal event in Australian history that devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1974. The design features a headline-style […]

Darwin – A Way of Life – 1969

  Darwin…A Way of Life (1969) offers a vivid snapshot of life in Darwin just a few years before Cyclone Tracy changed the city forever. Published by the Department of Interior, this booklet celebrates a bustling tropical city on the rise, where modern architecture met friendly, laid-back living. It highlights […]

Darwin, pow! by Edward Collins, 1975

Darwin POW by Edward Collins (1975) is an engaging and personal account of life in Darwin shortly after Cyclone Tracy, blending humour and resilience in the face of devastation. Through witty observations and vivid storytelling, Collins captures not only the destruction caused by the cyclone but also the unique camaraderie, […]

Darwin and Top End Holiday Booklet

The Darwin and Top End Holiday Booklet is a captivating glimpse into mid-20th century life and culture in Australia’s northernmost regions. This brochure serves as a celebration of the area’s rich natural beauty, cultural diversity, and unique charm. It features vivid descriptions of key attractions such as the cultural traditions […]

Barry Chant – Flying in to restore power

In 1974, I was working with the Electricity Generating Board in Queensland. I was at my fiancé’s house celebrating Christmas when I received a call to mobilise with tools and depart for Darwin as soon as possible. That afternoon, we had to get medical injections, and the following day (Boxing […]