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Eumundi Voice Issue 113, 20 March 2025
ENVIRONMENT
The Great Gold Coast Cyclone
The recent weather event of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred crossing the coast gives us pause to reflect that although it is not a regular occurrence, it is not unknown for cyclones to visit our region. In 1954, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast experienced 2 significant cyclonic disturbances that left a lasting impact on the regions. The most notable event was the Great Gold Coast Cyclone which struck on 20 February, 1954. This unnamed cyclone crossed the SE Qld coast at Coolangatta at around 10pm, bringing winds reaching 75 miles/hour (approximately
120km/h), which caused widespread damage and loss of life. This cyclone happened in the period prior to 1964 when weather systems were unnamed.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported between 26 to 30 deaths due to flooding, severe winds and storm surges. The cyclone's effects were felt from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney, with heavy rainfall recorded as far south as Tasmania.
It was reported in the Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser as the “worst known blow in 69 years” with many public buildings and farms in the local area damaged. In Eumundi “sheets of iron were blown from the Eumundi State School building,” many dairies unroofed, and banana and maize crops flattened. The North Arm Hall was blown off its blocks.
Sea and flood waters swamped many dwellings at Munna Point and Noosa Heads. Kenilworth was also cut off by flood waters. In Cooroy, the Roman Catholic Church building “was completely blown down, and the Anglican Church forced off its stumps and narrowly missed sliding into a nearby gully.”
Six months later in July, a second cyclonic event struck, knocking down any crops that might have survived. Hundreds of acres of cane at Rosemount, Bli Bli and Maroochy River were flattened. Buildings, almost repaired after the damage in February, were destroyed again in July. Tania Watson
The funny side of Alfie
Fast asleep at 2am with the Alfie wind and rain howling outside, my friend woke in a panic, unable to breathe. Had the roof collapsed or was she being smothered by a robber?
No, neither. A large green frog had hopped onto the bed and clamped itself onto her face! I laughed and laughed, but it would have been a shock!
She had sensibly brought her large pot plants inside, so I am guessing that is where the frog was hiding. She lives in a first-floor apartment with no garden with just balcony pots ... and massive frog!
Poor woman. It is amazing that she didn’t have a heart attack. Kate Rider
