50 years ago, Australia changed forever

On this day in 1974, the people of Darwin were settling into a relaxed Christmas Eve when the wind picked up and storm clouds gathered. What happened next would reshape the city, change its residents’ lives forever, and leave a lasting legacy for the whole of Australia.

Cyclone Tracy claimed 71 lives and injured nearly 650. On Christmas morning, Darwin residents woke not to the sounds of children playing with shiny new toys, but to a city devastated and flattened.

As Milad Haghani and Arthur Stukas write, the 50th anniversary of this disaster offers an opportunity to reflect on the crucial lessons learned from the disaster. “Cyclone Tracy not only reshaped Darwin but marked a turning point in Australia’s approach to disaster resilience.”

Nicole Hasham

Energy + Environment Editor

Today's newsletter supported by The Conversation

Politics + Society
From smaller homes to screen time, backyard cricket is facing challenges in modern Australia Kasey Symons, Deakin University Backyard cricket is a key entry point for cricket participation but it is facing many challenges, including apartment living and modern technology.

Health + Medicine
You could be stress eating these holidays – or eating your way to stress. 5 tips for the table Saman Khalesi, CQUniversity Australia; Charlotte Gupta, CQUniversity Australia; Talitha Best, CQUniversity Australia Eating when we experience stress is a normal behaviour to meet increased energy needs. But sometimes our relationship with food becomes strained in the process.

Science + Technology
Interactive: What Earth’s 4.54 billion-year history would look like in a single year Francisco Jose Testa, University of Tasmania The dinosaurs went extinct on Christmas Day.

Environment + Energy
Yes, reindeer actually can have red noses – and other fascinating facts about this Christmas icon Julie Old, Western Sydney University Here’s everything you need to know about this iconic animal, including why they need antlers, why they really can have red noses and how their eyes change colour!

Education

‘You can’t hear a smile’: how video visits help dads in prison stay connected with their kids

Elisabeth Duursma, Western Sydney University; Amy Conley Wright, University of Sydney; Helen Simpson, University of Wollongong; Natalia Kate Hanley, University of Wollongong

It’s estimated half the men in Australian prisons are fathers. One way for them to stay in touch with their children is through ‘video visits’.

Arts + Culture
I was asked to come up with my top 5 Aussie films of 2024. It was a difficult task Ari Mattes, University of Notre Dame Australia Original horror stories, a sequel to an Aussie hit, and a Christmas film: the best of Australian cinema in 2024.

Books + Ideas
Horror, satire, tawdry wealth and postcolonial critique: 5 classics to catch up on this summer Sophie Gee, University of Sydney An expert in literary classics recommends 5 rich, classic page-turners to read over summer – and explains why they’re still relevant today. She also shares her favourite lines.

Business + Economy
Switching off from work can be difficult but taking a proper break is good for your health Ty Ferguson, University of South Australia; Carol Maher, University of South Australia; Rachel Curtis, University of South Australia Switching off phones or laptops when on holidays can help us get more out of our free time and relationships.