Darwin · 1974 · The documentary

CYCLONE
WARRIORS

The Australian Defence Force
and Cyclone Tracy

Presented by

Watch the trailer Explore the story ↓

Darwin, Northern Territory · Cyclone Tracy, 1974

Courage. Community. Resilience.

The untold story of Darwin’s rescue.

Cyclone Tracy tore through Darwin in December 1974. In the devastation that followed, the Australian Defence Force, emergency services and local communities came together to rescue, evacuate and rebuild. Cyclone Warriors brings their stories into focus.

Before the storm. Beyond the devastation.

When a city needed help,
people answered.

Behind the images of a shattered city are people who answered the call. Through archival footage and first-hand accounts, the film follows the extraordinary relief effort that helped Darwin find its feet again.

It also asks a question that still matters: how do we recognise those whose service helped a community survive? This is their story—told by the people who lived it.

Meet the filmmakers

First-hand accounts

The people behind the history.

Sir Peter Cosgrove

Sir Peter Cosgrove recalls the relief and recovery effort through the eyes of a young Army officer. His account offers a personal perspective on service in a city facing overwhelming loss.

Bob Dagworky reminiscing on the loss of lives

Capt Bob Dagworthy

Bob Dagworthy remembers the night HMAS Arrow was wrecked and two crew members lost their lives. His story reveals the human cost behind one of the cyclone’s most enduring images.

The trailer · 1 minute

See the story come to life.

Watch on YouTube ↗

HMAS Arrow before and after Cylone Tracy

HMAS Arrow · Before and after Cyclone Tracy

Cyclone Warriors

Beyond the headlines.
Into living memory.

Created to mark Cyclone Tracy’s 50th anniversary, Cyclone Warriors looks beyond the destruction to the people who helped Darwin recover.

Archival footage, interviews and personal recollections trace the storm, the evacuation and the demanding work of rebuilding a city.

The film also includes perspectives from Indigenous Territorians in communities including the Tiwi Islands and Belyuen, broadening the story of resilience and recovery.

With thanks