Search this site

Since March 2020 life as we know it has changed forever due to the coronavirus COVID-19

Local businesses are adjusting to the 'New Normal', please check with the advertised contact for any updates or changes to an advertised service.

Darwin-Christmas Eve

by Andrea Mikfelder
(Queensland)

It was Christmas Eve 1974. I was the oldest of 4 children only 8 years old. My parents did the European celebration opening our presents Christmas Eve. We went to bed. I awoke loud eerie wind noises. Mum had 3 of us in the hallway on the suitcase. we had lost our roof ceiling leaking & a foot of water on the floor. The louves were smashing into each other from each side.
I remember There was a knock on the front door. My dad nearly flung back as he forcefully shut the door A man in hysteria about his wife on the phone dead My Dad tried to coaxe him to stay. He was gone.
My little baby brother started crying in his cot. Mum picked him up. Just as she did we seen a pane of glass come thru the ceiling into his cot. He looked.(never slept in a cot again!) We ended up sleeping in my parents room.

The next morning a car with hand speaker told us to go to the school.My Mum was very upset. I found out later our dogs had been put down & they had sedated my mum. My family decided to go by plane to Perth W.A. We only could take one suitcase. Most of our pocessions went to our neighbour who had lost everything that were staying.
Us kids suffered with nightmares & were scared of the dark. Like my Mum I had nerve troubles. In 1976 my parents divorced It was devasting for me as it was unheard of then.My mother moved to Adelaide & My father to Melbourne. I had to opportunity as a 16 year old to visit Queensland I liked it so much I came back as 18 year old.
To this day I have a fear when it storms.we have a photo of us kids & a"ghost photo" of our dog in front.Two in one!!