Patient Murray receives recognition for service during Cyclone Tracy
Navy veteran Murray Shepherd with RRSL Queensland Engagement Officer Hannah Axford (left) and Vice President of the Naval Association of Australia Queensland Branch Ray Sandford (right) presenting Murray with his commemorative coin.
Royal Australian Navy veteran and STARS’ patient Murray was recently recognised for his service during Cyclone Tracy, as part of the 50-year anniversary commemorations of the disaster in Darwin.
During the early hours of Christmas Day 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated the city of Darwin, destroying 70% of the city’s buildings. Winds reached 217 kilometres (before the measuring device was destroyed and 66 people were killed and 145 seriously injured.
Murray was just 20 years old when he arrived in Darwin onboard the HMAS Stalwart (II) as part of ‘Operation Navy Help Darwin’ to help in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy.
Murray was part of the Royal Australian Navy’s largest peacetime disaster relief operation, involving 13 ships, 11 aircraft and approximately 3,000 personnel.
Murray provided much needed electronic communication support during his month long stay in Darwin. The HMAS Stalwart personnel were involved in restoring electrical and communications, structural repairs to private and public buildings and repairing machinery, engines and equipment.
“I was a communications electrician and was part of the team that helped rebuild the entire communications network for the police, fire and ambulance up there. It had all been flooded,” Murray explained.
RSL Queensland Engagement Officer Hannah Axford and Vice President of the Naval Association of Australia Qld Branch, Ray Sandford were on hand to present Murray with the 50th Anniversary commemorative coin.
The coin was commissioned by Member for Solomon, Northern Territory, Luke Gosling OAM, to commemorate first responders, volunteers and those involved in rebuilding Darwin following cyclone Tracy.
Ray travelled with 26 former sailors to Darwin for the 50th anniversary, but Murray was unable to make the trip due to being treated in hospital at STARS.
To ensure Murray was also honoured, Ray arranged for the coin to be presented to Murray during his STARS hospital stay.
“Cyclone Tracy was a moment in time of major significance for the Royal Australian Navy, and the sacrifice and service those people put in shouldn’t be forgotten,” Ray said.