Jane Bardon

Jane Bardon, an ABC Darwin journalist, passionately interviews Cyclone Tracy survivors and experts in rebuilding efforts. They discuss the catastrophic impacts of the cyclone that destroyed 85% of Darwin’s housing and infrastructure. The conversation reveals how Tracy led to an overhaul of the National Construction Code aimed at improving building resilience. However, they question if current regulations are being followed, especially with climate change intensifying cyclone risks. Personal stories highlight the emotional turmoil of survival and the community's enduring spirit of recovery.

Join Jane Bardon, an ABC Darwin journalist, and Alan Haines, a former fuel depot worker, as they share gripping tales from the night Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974. They delve into personal accounts of terror and survival, revealing how the community confronted devastation. Explore why many chose to return and rebuild their lives in a cyclone-prone area. Together, they reflect on the emotional scars left by this disaster and discuss the vital lessons learned as climate change escalates the risk of similar events.