There is so much happening this week, and we've had so many wonderful conversations, tough conversations, but really really important conversations this week in my opinion, about Cyclone Tracy and so many of our Cyclone Tracy survivors on the show as we edge closer to the commemorations of the fiftieth anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, and it was it was one of the country's most devastating natural disasters. It claims sixty six lives. Now, my next guest was six years old at the time of living in Rapid Creek as well with his family. And I'm pleased to say this. I've got in the studio with me this morning, Emilio Gonzardi and cez Arena Gonzarti, his mother. Good morning to you both.

There is so much happening this week, and we've had so many wonderful conversations, tough conversations, but really really important conversations this week in my opinion, about Cyclone Tracy and so many of our Cyclone Tracy survivors on the show as we edge closer to the commemorations of the fiftieth anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, and it was it was one of the country's most devastating natural disasters. It claims sixty six lives. Now, my next guest was six years old at the time of living in Rapid Creek as well with his family. And I'm pleased to say this. I've got in the studio with me this morning, Emilio Gonzardi and cez Arena Gonzarti, his mother. Good morning to you both.

Good it is.

Good it is.

Lovely to have you both in this studio. And Emilio, you are a loyal listener. I really appreciate that. I love getting to meet my listeners and it's really good to have you in here really to hear more about your story, both of you when it comes to Cyclone Tracy. Now, Emelia, I might start with you six years old, do you remember where you were on Christmas Eve.

Lovely to have you both in this studio. And Emilio, you are a loyal listener. I really appreciate that. I love getting to meet my listeners and it's really good to have you in here really to hear more about your story, both of you when it comes to Cyclone Tracy. Now, Emelia, I might start with you six years old, do you remember where you were on Christmas Eve.

Yeah, we're in our passageway near our kitchen, and we had a mattress on both sides of the wall, so our house was a double brick wall. It was a little bit more solid than most of the houses up on the pillars. And my dad stood up holding the door to the kitchen and yeah, so we were in there sitting on chairs. We had probably about two to three inches of water on the floor and Dad would every now and again open the door to let us hear like you can hear the suction. And obviously everyone does talk about the noise. The noise was a horrible how I don't think anyone's ever going to forget that noise.

Yeah, we're in our passageway near our kitchen, and we had a mattress on both sides of the wall, so our house was a double brick wall. It was a little bit more solid than most of the houses up on the pillars. And my dad stood up holding the door to the kitchen and yeah, so we were in there sitting on chairs. We had probably about two to three inches of water on the floor and Dad would every now and again open the door to let us hear like you can hear the suction. And obviously everyone does talk about the noise. The noise was a horrible how I don't think anyone's ever going to forget that noise.

Yeah, that's been one of the things that a lot of people have seen, is that was that noise ces Arena. You're obviously in the house as well with the family. Yes, what was it like knowing that you had to look after the kids and try to keep everybody sye.

Yeah, that's been one of the things that a lot of people have seen, is that was that noise ces Arena. You're obviously in the house as well with the family. Yes, what was it like knowing that you had to look after the kids and try to keep everybody sye.

Yeah, it was terrible, but I haven't my husband. My husband helped us a lot, you know, in everything. You know, he said to not people worry, everything be okay. And my foot was after the thing. It was all in the water or no worry, no worries, you know. And it was good, you know, and why it was good, you know, why we have somebody, you know. If my husband was working in Catharine, I was lucky it was a cycling tracy. He wasn't dying if he was, if he was a true different time, I was by myself.

Yeah, it was terrible, but I haven't my husband. My husband helped us a lot, you know, in everything. You know, he said to not people worry, everything be okay. And my foot was after the thing. It was all in the water or no worry, no worries, you know. And it was good, you know, and why it was good, you know, why we have somebody, you know. If my husband was working in Catharine, I was lucky it was a cycling tracy. He wasn't dying if he was, if he was a true different time, I was by myself.

With the kids in the house. I don't know what happened.

With the kids in the house. I don't know what happened.

Scary Hi, Yeah.

Scary Hi, Yeah.

That actually because we had something bang really bad and Dad had mentioned I don't remember this part of it, but you know, Dad had mentioned to Mum that one of the roof sheets was banging on the roof. So when everything went quiet, this is where us kids learnt all our Italian swear words, because Dad put his nail bag on, got the ladder and raced up on the roof of the corner of where the sheet was being and started nailing, because back in those days, all the roofs were nailed with nails. And he started nailing the corner of the roof back down and Mum was going.

That actually because we had something bang really bad and Dad had mentioned I don't remember this part of it, but you know, Dad had mentioned to Mum that one of the roof sheets was banging on the roof. So when everything went quiet, this is where us kids learnt all our Italian swear words, because Dad put his nail bag on, got the ladder and raced up on the roof of the corner of where the sheet was being and started nailing, because back in those days, all the roofs were nailed with nails. And he started nailing the corner of the roof back down and Mum was going.

Off her head.

Off her head.

I bet she was.

I bet she was.

I think he came.

I think he came.

Back inside and it's probably that that probably saved our roof because once it starts on one side. It's just a constantina effect and it just yeah, was our hero.

Back inside and it's probably that that probably saved our roof because once it starts on one side. It's just a constantina effect and it just yeah, was our hero.

Well, he sounds like he was a hero. He sounds like he put himself in a frightening situation and thank goodness, he was okay. So for you guys, what was it like when you were inside that house and you said, you know, the noise and the sound of the.

Well, he sounds like he was a hero. He sounds like he put himself in a frightening situation and thank goodness, he was okay. So for you guys, what was it like when you were inside that house and you said, you know, the noise and the sound of the.

Noise or the wind was terrible.

Noise or the wind was terrible.

I never hear I never he neither noise like that look like a whizzled, you know, but really loud. Yeah, you know, especially after the eyes was worse. Before their heart is not bad, you know, after their heighes was terrible. Yeah, the noise was terrible, terrible.

I never hear I never he neither noise like that look like a whizzled, you know, but really loud. Yeah, you know, especially after the eyes was worse. Before their heart is not bad, you know, after their heighes was terrible. Yeah, the noise was terrible, terrible.

Did you think like did it? Did you think to yourself, you know, as it was as it was happening, Oh my goodness, I don't know what I'm going to like, you know, whether I'm going to survive to begin with, and then I don't know what it's going to be like afterwards.

Did you think like did it? Did you think to yourself, you know, as it was as it was happening, Oh my goodness, I don't know what I'm going to like, you know, whether I'm going to survive to begin with, and then I don't know what it's going to be like afterwards.

Well, myself, as a kid, I probably wouldn't have understood that because I was probably too little. And through the whole ordeal, Dad didn't stop talking, So he constantly spoke to us and I think he took the fear away from us. Yeah, for mom and dad obviously a different story being adults and understanding what's going on.

Well, myself, as a kid, I probably wouldn't have understood that because I was probably too little. And through the whole ordeal, Dad didn't stop talking, So he constantly spoke to us and I think he took the fear away from us. Yeah, for mom and dad obviously a different story being adults and understanding what's going on.

And oh the wind in their house. We have a big window or the window.

And oh the wind in their house. We have a big window or the window.

Bash look like big bomb got through the house glass everywhere, you know, But my husband would saying, no worry, no worry for the glass, no worry for their house. Were safe when everything nearly, when everything's finished, Oh, I don't want to remember anywhere, not to remember that.

Bash look like big bomb got through the house glass everywhere, you know, But my husband would saying, no worry, no worry for the glass, no worry for their house. Were safe when everything nearly, when everything's finished, Oh, I don't want to remember anywhere, not to remember that.

No how how like a real you know what I'm hearing there is that that your husband, your dad was a really incredible bloke trying to make you all feel like you're going to be safe and like everything was going to be all right.

No how how like a real you know what I'm hearing there is that that your husband, your dad was a really incredible bloke trying to make you all feel like you're going to be safe and like everything was going to be all right.

I always said he was my hero.

I always said he was my hero.

He sounds like he is a you know, a really good man and a really good dad, you know, keeping you guys safe. I mean, the house feels like it's falling apart around you by the sounds of things. Your husband has already gone and fixed the roof. At what point did you realize that the cyclone had passed and you know that the noise and that part of it was over.

He sounds like he is a you know, a really good man and a really good dad, you know, keeping you guys safe. I mean, the house feels like it's falling apart around you by the sounds of things. Your husband has already gone and fixed the roof. At what point did you realize that the cyclone had passed and you know that the noise and that part of it was over.

So we had a really massive, big mango tree in our backyard. And the very last window that broke in our house was the mango tree coming through our kitchen window. And then it was just dead quiet and my dad. I'll never ever forget my dad's words. He said, the cyclone's over. And he opened the door and he told us to wait there, and he walked out and da da dah, and then we could walk out. And then he told us that we weren't allowed to venture out anywhere because of all the debris and stuff like that. And then he made sure that we're all okay, and then he said, I'm going to check our friends and he took off. So Dad took off through the streets to all our friends that were close by to see if.

So we had a really massive, big mango tree in our backyard. And the very last window that broke in our house was the mango tree coming through our kitchen window. And then it was just dead quiet and my dad. I'll never ever forget my dad's words. He said, the cyclone's over. And he opened the door and he told us to wait there, and he walked out and da da dah, and then we could walk out. And then he told us that we weren't allowed to venture out anywhere because of all the debris and stuff like that. And then he made sure that we're all okay, and then he said, I'm going to check our friends and he took off. So Dad took off through the streets to all our friends that were close by to see if.

They were all okay and how were they all?

They were all okay and how were they all?

Yeah, they were all. They all survived. And then after Tracy Wee, I think we had seven families in our house because our house was okay, we had twenty three people I think in total twenty seven twenty seven. So yeah, we had our bath was our They sterilized the bath and all the rain water went into the bath as our drinking water. I've still got Dad's gas stove from cyclone Tracy that the army supplied. I've even got a gas bottle that may even have still a little bit of gas in it from.

Yeah, they were all. They all survived. And then after Tracy Wee, I think we had seven families in our house because our house was okay, we had twenty three people I think in total twenty seven twenty seven. So yeah, we had our bath was our They sterilized the bath and all the rain water went into the bath as our drinking water. I've still got Dad's gas stove from cyclone Tracy that the army supplied. I've even got a gas bottle that may even have still a little bit of gas in it from.

You.

You.

Saved it saved it just as something. But we were set up, We were right, I think we just as a kid obviously, as a kid you see it.

Saved it saved it just as something. But we were set up, We were right, I think we just as a kid obviously, as a kid you see it.

A different way.

A different way.

So you know, like you don't understand the trauma side more of it because you've got role models, you know, and you've got parents and all our friends, you know, the parents are all good people. So it was and it's probably a horrible thing to say, but it was more of an adventure for.

So you know, like you don't understand the trauma side more of it because you've got role models, you know, and you've got parents and all our friends, you know, the parents are all good people. So it was and it's probably a horrible thing to say, but it was more of an adventure for.

Me because you were young, because I was young and.

Me because you were young, because I was young and.

Not understanding, like you saw all the devastation and the all the everything was flattened and stuff like that, but the actual understanding of the trauma side of it. As an adult, yeah, I didn't didn't understand that.

Not understanding, like you saw all the devastation and the all the everything was flattened and stuff like that, but the actual understanding of the trauma side of it. As an adult, yeah, I didn't didn't understand that.

What's it like for you both or what you know? What was it like sort of after the cyclone and and you know, in terms of people being evacuated, did you guys stay or what did you do?

What's it like for you both or what you know? What was it like sort of after the cyclone and and you know, in terms of people being evacuated, did you guys stay or what did you do?

Now? We go on the Sunday morning, on the Saturday police come through the house and he said to my husband, your wife and the kids had to go all the all the kids and and you know they let the people with the kids that have to go And we got on on the Sunday morning up a state rapid primary school.

Now? We go on the Sunday morning, on the Saturday police come through the house and he said to my husband, your wife and the kids had to go all the all the kids and and you know they let the people with the kids that have to go And we got on on the Sunday morning up a state rapid primary school.

We went over there and b.

We went over there and b.

Bus come and take us in the area report and we got with the anset.

Bus come and take us in the area report and we got with the anset.

And what was it? Did your husband stay?

And what was it? Did your husband stay?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Yeah, I bet he did. He's an Italian. He would have been building making sure Darwin was rebuilt.

Yeah, I bet he did. He's an Italian. He would have been building making sure Darwin was rebuilt.

Right.

Right.

Yeah, we had I can't remember, but they had a fair few blokes staying in the house after Tracy, so they had somewhere to stay so they could think. But one thing I do remember as a kid, and this will stick to me, stick with me for the rest of my life. We went to Perth, but we flew into Adelaide first. And when I was coming down, like off the door of the plane and coming down the stairs, I looked down, and I'm not joking, Katie, that there was the most beautifulest air hosty. She was so pretty and I thought, you know, I was just in heaven or something. But yeah, anyway, and we walked down and then she wrapped the They were like them packing blankets that you see you know, and she wrapped that around us because it was cold, and oh yeah, as a kid, I was just so staked al she was an angel. But then when we got into the airport, there was just trestle table after trestle table of clothes and we just went and got our clothes and we needed and stuff like that. And I found this the Indian and cowboy outfit. This cowboy out had all these levels.

Yeah, we had I can't remember, but they had a fair few blokes staying in the house after Tracy, so they had somewhere to stay so they could think. But one thing I do remember as a kid, and this will stick to me, stick with me for the rest of my life. We went to Perth, but we flew into Adelaide first. And when I was coming down, like off the door of the plane and coming down the stairs, I looked down, and I'm not joking, Katie, that there was the most beautifulest air hosty. She was so pretty and I thought, you know, I was just in heaven or something. But yeah, anyway, and we walked down and then she wrapped the They were like them packing blankets that you see you know, and she wrapped that around us because it was cold, and oh yeah, as a kid, I was just so staked al she was an angel. But then when we got into the airport, there was just trestle table after trestle table of clothes and we just went and got our clothes and we needed and stuff like that. And I found this the Indian and cowboy outfit. This cowboy out had all these levels.

I wore this outfit.

I wore this outfit.

I had the hat and everything, the pistols.

I had the hat and everything, the pistols.

Did you just let him do whatever he wanted?

Did you just let him do whatever he wanted?

It was there was a good kid. Honestly, I had to say nothing. Like my husband said, he said, thank god. They said we have two good kids. Ye never askid drink, never ask anything in it. Sit down over there and martis in topp and that's so you know, it was there.

It was there was a good kid. Honestly, I had to say nothing. Like my husband said, he said, thank god. They said we have two good kids. Ye never askid drink, never ask anything in it. Sit down over there and martis in topp and that's so you know, it was there.

There was terrific.

There was terrific.

Yeah. Tell me then after you were evacuated, after you were you know, you're you're away. What was it like coming back to Darwin after seeing the place flattened?

Yeah. Tell me then after you were evacuated, after you were you know, you're you're away. What was it like coming back to Darwin after seeing the place flattened?

Oh, I allowed to be back.

Oh, I allowed to be back.

I allowed to be coming back and I could die over there and my house was darving.

I allowed to be coming back and I could die over there and my house was darving.

I think I think obviously I didn't understand a lot of it because I so young, but you know from the stories that you'd hear at home and all that, you know, it was just one thing that And I always say this, like whenever Australia has a disaster, we're united, you know, I think we all get together. It doesn't matter. And I think like, and I can be corrected on it. I think Alice Springs was the biggest contributor financially when it came.

I think I think obviously I didn't understand a lot of it because I so young, but you know from the stories that you'd hear at home and all that, you know, it was just one thing that And I always say this, like whenever Australia has a disaster, we're united, you know, I think we all get together. It doesn't matter. And I think like, and I can be corrected on it. I think Alice Springs was the biggest contributor financially when it came.

To right, but it could be yeah, yeah, yeah.

To right, but it could be yeah, yeah, yeah.

I mean per capital yeah.

I mean per capital yeah.

Yeah, and so yeah, I just yeah, everyone helped everyone. You know, everyone had their groups, I guess, you know, like the friends and all that. Everyone would help each other out.

Yeah, and so yeah, I just yeah, everyone helped everyone. You know, everyone had their groups, I guess, you know, like the friends and all that. Everyone would help each other out.

And how are you both feeling now as the fiftieth anniversary approaches on Christmas Day? How are you how are you feeling about that?

And how are you both feeling now as the fiftieth anniversary approaches on Christmas Day? How are you how are you feeling about that?

It's not very good memory, but you have to put it in the back, you know. He had to think two years ago I lost my husband. Yeah, and you know he's not here, but you know we have to think, you know, we in life and that's all. I have a nice family, yep, and I am very grateful for my son and they do everything for me now and my.

It's not very good memory, but you have to put it in the back, you know. He had to think two years ago I lost my husband. Yeah, and you know he's not here, but you know we have to think, you know, we in life and that's all. I have a nice family, yep, and I am very grateful for my son and they do everything for me now and my.

Daughter in law, they're lovely, lovely people.

Daughter in law, they're lovely, lovely people.

Oh you're a beautiful person though as well. Of course they look after you, know, look after you. And and I.

Oh you're a beautiful person though as well. Of course they look after you, know, look after you. And and I.

Have it too, lovely granddaughter. Yeah yeah, they love me. You know, I'm not looking for nothing else. Yeah, yeah, old eighteen nine years old.

Have it too, lovely granddaughter. Yeah yeah, they love me. You know, I'm not looking for nothing else. Yeah, yeah, old eighteen nine years old.

Eighty nine, you're in good, Nick, chess Arena.

Eighty nine, you're in good, Nick, chess Arena.

You look good.

You look good.

You're a little pocket rocket. Only you're shorty like me, not very tall out but I.

You're a little pocket rocket. Only you're shorty like me, not very tall out but I.

Tell you when to be short. My father says all the that like that.

Tell you when to be short. My father says all the that like that.

And really, how are you feeling as the fiftieth approaches?

And really, how are you feeling as the fiftieth approaches?

I look every year come Christmas, you know, have a bit of a funny feeling. I actually told my wife about three weeks ago we had we had one of them little squalls come through, which was quite a heavy storm. I struggle staying inside the house, so like even when we had cyclone markers, I was sitting outside with my dogs. I really struggle being inside and I don't know why. Yeah, so I tend to come outside and I sit outside.

I look every year come Christmas, you know, have a bit of a funny feeling. I actually told my wife about three weeks ago we had we had one of them little squalls come through, which was quite a heavy storm. I struggle staying inside the house, so like even when we had cyclone markers, I was sitting outside with my dogs. I really struggle being inside and I don't know why. Yeah, so I tend to come outside and I sit outside.

Yeah, I got no idea.

Yeah, I got no idea.

But when I hear that wind blow, I think it just it's like a button being pushed you.

But when I hear that wind blow, I think it just it's like a button being pushed you.

So, yeah, it's horrible.

So, yeah, it's horrible.

Yeah, to bring back you know, I.

Yeah, to bring back you know, I.

Don't mind the heavy rains and stuff like that. I just don't like that real heavy wind. And you know you can hear the trees thrashing around and or a tree being on someone's building.

Don't mind the heavy rains and stuff like that. I just don't like that real heavy wind. And you know you can hear the trees thrashing around and or a tree being on someone's building.

Yeah, well, look, I really appreciate you both coming in this morning, coming in to meet me and telling me your story. And it's been a really like it's been a really important week. I think of radio of all territories hearing about Cyclone Tracy and getting a better understanding of what happened to Darwin and the fabric of Darwin.

Yeah, well, look, I really appreciate you both coming in this morning, coming in to meet me and telling me your story. And it's been a really like it's been a really important week. I think of radio of all territories hearing about Cyclone Tracy and getting a better understanding of what happened to Darwin and the fabric of Darwin.

And another thing, if you know the syclone come, we know what.

And another thing, if you know the syclone come, we know what.

We know what happened, and you know, you know what to do, but he's still we don't know what that's right, t K.

We know what happened, and you know, you know what to do, but he's still we don't know what that's right, t K.

I think like also too, we have to be grateful that like even in Cyclone Tracy, you know, like the defense Force, it's the responders, it's our first responders and all that, like we can't forget them.

I think like also too, we have to be grateful that like even in Cyclone Tracy, you know, like the defense Force, it's the responders, it's our first responders and all that, like we can't forget them.

No, it's incredible actually keep town going.

No, it's incredible actually keep town going.

Yeah, absolutely, And do you like did you like the coins?

Yeah, absolutely, And do you like did you like the coins?

Yeah, yeah, that's yeah, I got one Ieah.

Yeah, yeah, that's yeah, I got one Ieah.

That to me means more than anything like the coin, because you know it's got the plane and it's got the eye and I think Luke Gosling got.

That to me means more than anything like the coin, because you know it's got the plane and it's got the eye and I think Luke Gosling got.

That one spot on correct. Yeah, you did a good job.

That one spot on correct. Yeah, you did a good job.

Well look, I really appreciate you both joining me this morning on the show. Emilio and cez Arena. Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it. Thank you have a lovely Christmas as well, look after yourselves.

Well look, I really appreciate you both joining me this morning on the show. Emilio and cez Arena. Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it. Thank you have a lovely Christmas as well, look after yourselves.

You all the best, thanks and all the mixed prey.

You all the best, thanks and all the mixed prey.

Thank you, Thanks so much.

Thank you, Thanks so much.