Australia’s earthquake disaster - 20 years on

The only Australian earthquake in recorded history to have claimed human lives, struck east coast Newcastle, the nation’s 6th largest city, on 28 December 1989.

The death toll was 13. Some 70,000 were damaged properties with half of them being homes.

With all power and telephone services cut and inadequate radio communications, the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network WICEN stepped up with more than 60 operators who did an outstanding job.

All of the radio amateurs involved in the Newcastle Earthquake response and recovery operations played an extremely commendable and somewhat inadequately recognised role.

More details of this anniversary can be read in the news section of the Amateur Radio Victoria website
www.amateurradio.com.au