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Home » Themes » Disaster » Earthquake
Newcastle EarthquakePrint Page 
A plaque commemorates nine people who lost their lives during the Newcastle earthquake on 28 December 1989.
At 10:27am on 28 December 1989, Newcastle was devastated by a ML 5.6 (Richter Scale) earthquake. At the time it was the most serious natural disaster in Australia’s history, leaving a damages bill of $4 billion; injuring more than 160 people and claiming 13 lives. The city was thrown into chaos immediately following the earthquake. Office workers poured out of buildings and onto the rubble-strewn footpaths as police cordoned off city roads and evacuated buildings in the central business district. Partially collapsed shops and homes lined the streets and major hospitals sustained serious damage causing disruption to medical services. Also damaged beyond repair was the Newcastle Workers Club, the scene of nine of the thirteen deaths.
The Newcastle Workers Club was rebuilt on the site and officially opened by the Prime Minister Paul Keating on the 2nd July 1992. It is now the Newcastle Panthers Club.
Location
| Address: | King & Union Streets , Panthers Newcastle Club, Newcastle, 2300 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -32.928431 Long: 151.76695 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Disaster |
| Sub-Theme: | Earthquake |
| Actual Event STart Date: | 28-December-1989 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 28-December-1989 |
| Link: | http://www.acph.nicheit.com.au |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1992 |
|---|
Newcastle Workers Club
On 28 December 1989 an earthquake struck Newcastle & severly damaged Newcastle Workers Club
In memory of
Albert Bender
Carol Coxhell
Miriam Duffy
Verlina March
Leonard Norris
John O`Shanassy
Barry Spark
Peggy Stone
Eileen Werren
