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Newcastle EarthquakePrint Page 
The monument commemorates the thirteen people who were killed during the Newcastle earthquake on 28 December 1989. The dome of the Sacred Heart Cathedral which was damaged in the earthquake is incorporated into the memorial.
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.
Location
| Address: | 841 Hunter Street, Sacred Heart Cathedral , Newcastle West, 2302 |
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| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -32.923383 Long: 151.754132 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | Disaster |
| Sub-Theme: | Earthquake |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 28-December-1989 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 28-December-1989 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 28th December, 1991 |
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This dome which formerly crowned the tower of the Sacred Heart Church was damaged during the earthquake on 28th December 1989
It now rests here as a memorial to the 13 people who lost their lives as a result of the earthquake.
Cecil Robert Abbott Leonard Charles Norris
Albert Gavin Bender John Anthony O`Shannessy
Dulcie Alice Blim Barry Francis Spark
Carol Ann Coxhell Peggy Theresa Stone
Miriam Colleen Duffy Levener Georgia Watson
Verlena Maree March Eileen Mary Werren
Cyril Keith McMahon
And stands also in tribute to the many people who suffered personal grief and hardship and to those who worked to relieve that suffering
28th December 1991
Monsignor Paul Simms Dean
Alderman John McNaughton
Lord Mayor of Newcastle
