At 10.27am on Thursday, 28 December 1989, an earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck Newcastle. Twenty-five years later, Newcastle Museum remembers this catastrophic event in a powerful and intimate exhibition, Earthquake Then and Now, opening 10:30 am Tuesday 2 December.
The Newcastle earthquake was the most serious natural disaster in Australian history, resulting in 160 people hospitalised, $4 billion in property damage and 14 deaths. It not only shook the physical structure of the city but also the lives of everyone involved.
Museum Deputy Director Julie Baird says the impact of that fateful day is still felt by many people today.
“Recording the stories of the people photographed for Earthquake Then and Now was a deeply moving experience. While every story was unique, a common theme of resilience, community and courage emerged through the shared memories.
“The exhibition includes 25 large scale new portraits of people holding photographs taken in the earthquake aftermath. They capture the diversity of experiences on that day as well as the impact they had on people’s lives. It allows visitors to see the passage of time for our community and our city.”
A number of the exhibition participants; paramedics, doctors, business owners, a baby born at the time of the earthquake, scientists and survivors will join us at the opening to share their stories.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will also host three performances of Paul Brown’s Aftershocks which commemorates the heroes, victims and events that put the city in the record blocks. The first performance will start at 10.27am on Sunday 28 December to mark the hour the earthquake struck.
Christchurch Cathedral will hold a special commemorative service at 3pm on Sunday 28 December.
Earthquake Then and Now will be open from 2 December 2014 to 8 February 2015 and is sponsored by Headjam and the Newcastle Herald.
