<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A new memorial to the victims of Cyclone Tracy has been unveiled in Darwin this morning, 50 years on from the devastating tragedy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor General Sam Mostyn both spoke at the event, alongside survivors and descendants.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tracy made landfall at Darwin on the night of Christmas Eve, 1974.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cyclone-tracy-50th-on-survivor-recalls-night-of-terror/09a74cf9-6249-47ae-9194-24a29278add4" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Cyclone Tracy survivor recalls night of terror 50 years on</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It killed 66 people and wounded hundreds more.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Up to 85 per cent of Darwin's buildings were destroyed, with the damage bill equating to more than $7 billion in today's value.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Speaking at the unveiling, survivor Richard Creswick recalled the "six-hour battering of the senses" as Tracy tore the city apart.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/cyclone-tracy-darwin-new-memorial-unveiled-to-victims-50-years-after-disaster/d590c40a-7777-406d-89ee-af2aae57e5c1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This memorial, 50 years in the making, is dedicated to you, to us, the survivors," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You are the bedrock on which the colourful thriving community that is Darwin today has been built."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese paid tribute to the families of those killed in the disaster, "who for every Christmas means revisiting that grief."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/reserve-bank-interest-rates-meeting-minutes-reveal-weaker-jobs-market/5920700f-15f7-4ac6-902a-f36635c21ac0" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Surprise wages reveal could hint at early interest rate relief</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And we remember other survivors, so many of whom honour us with their presence this morning," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese noted that the storm triggered the largest peace-time evacuation in Australia's history.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Today as we reflect on the destructive force of nature at its very worst, we also remember and honour the strength and kindness of Australians at their very best," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bushfires-victoria-south-australia-update-warnings-christmas-boxing-day/ac6659c3-a242-4692-93ee-39713393e443" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Bushfire risk soars for Christmas, Boxing Day in multiple states</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Governor General Sam Mostyn said the story of the survivors was one of "love".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You have taught the country what it means to recover well," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And I hope the nation's focus at this Christmas Day is on Darwin, paying attention to the stories that come from here, and a little reflection on the strength of the Australian character, which I think is all about love and care and kindness for one another."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The memorial was unveiled at East Point, where Tracy first made landfall.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It takes the form of five sculpted frangipani flowers of steel and concrete, covered in plaques.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>