Fortunately, there was no water in it before or after I got in.

That's why I got in really because it was the only dry place in the house.

It was in 1974, Christmas day that I woke up there.

Some of you will remember that was the year that Cyclone Tracy gave Darwin a belting as a Christmas present.

I was there. I'd only been in town since November, and I was in a share house.

I'm not going to give you a blow by blow description (sorry about that) because that would take too much space.

Sufficient to say that as the sun rose and the wind died down the extensive damage that had happened was amazing.

Compared to most, I lost very little and was very lucky.

I had been outside the house during the first phase, and as the eye passed over.

I am still jumpy when I hear strong winds, roofing iron flapping in the wind or dragging on bitumen.

I still jump when anyone sounds a siren similar to the one used for the radio warnings.

Other than those mental scars, I came off pretty good.

Christmas day wasn't much of a celebration; we toasted ham over an open fire and drank warm bubbly from the bottle.

After the Cyclone, we joined queues wherever we saw them to find out what was being distributed.

I got Cholera and Tetanus shots accidentally, a bundle of nappies and sundry other items that I either bartered with or just handed on to people who needed it more than I did.

I also got lots of stuff that I did need and wouldn't have known about if I hadn't joined the queue.

I wouldn't say I like queuing up now and will avoid them where possible.

As a life experience, I can appreciate what other people go through now in all sorts of disaster situations.

Did it change me?

Yep, in many ways that I would have trouble articulating.

Would I live in Darwin again?

Absolutely. 

I would move back there except all my family are here, and my wife won't go with me.

Regards,

Brent.

P.S.  One thing it did do for me was realising that I was more self-contained and capable than I had previously thought.

It also showed me that it's essential to prepare financially and that taking control of your destiny is your responsibility.

Since then I have tried to do just that, it hasn't always worked out as I wanted.

Failing to do what you wanted to do should not stop you trying.

Have you tried any of these?

They can get you started with some seed money. 

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