Patricia Collins was a member of the WRANS, the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service, based at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin when Cyclone Tracy destroyed the city on Christmas Eve 1974. Patricia wasn’t evacuated but stayed and worked on clean-up duties for months.
Patricia wrote the book Rock and Tempest: Surviving Cyclone Tracy and its Aftermath in her 60s, to record the achievements of her fellow Navy women and men at that time. Rock and Tempest, published by Hachette Australia in 2024, won the ANZAC Memorial Trustees Military History Prize in the State Library of NSW History Awards 2025, and was Highly Commended in the Australian History section.
Terrie-Ann Howard is a retired Army veteran of 12 years having served in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Her family has a proud tradition of military service and Terrie-Ann drew her inspiration to pursue a military career from her parents who both served in the Army. She completed postings in Canberra, Darwin, Brisbane and Townsville in a career which was fast paced and during a period of change when female soldiers were integrating into previously male only roles.
Terrie-Ann completed active service, peacekeeping and humanitarian roles in Western Sahara, Bougainville PNG and East Timor and would never change a minute of her military career.
Bookings are appreciated and open 10 April 2026.
Bundaberg Library, 49 Woondooma Street, Bundaberg Central, 4670, View Map
49 Woondooma Street , Bundaberg Central 4670
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