Featuring a collection of never-before-seen photographs, this exhibition offers a personal glimpse into the experiences of one family during Cyclone Tracy. It captures their Christmas Eve in 1974 and the destruction that ensued.

As Joan and Dennis Fitzsimmons, their three children, and Joan’s parents, Anne and Peter Prideaux, enjoyed Christmas Eve festivities at the family home in Darwin’s northern suburbs, Peter, an avid photographer, documented the joyful moments, completely unaware of the chaos that was about to unfold. As evening fell, the weather took a dramatic turn, leading to a night of terror and ensuing days spent living amongst the devastation.

Presented by Library & Archives NT, this exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, inviting visitors to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit and the courage of those who lived through one of Australia’s most significant natural disasters.

Image: Peter Prideaux, ‘Christmas Presents’ (detail), 27 Dec 1974, Library & Archives NT, Peter Prideaux Collection, NTRS 4894, Item 77.

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