Major General Alan Stretton AO CBE
1975 * Award

Commander of Darwin Relief Operation after Cyclone Tracy

Major General Alan Stretton was instrumental in the relief effort after Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve, 1974.

Once word of the disaster reached the southern states, Major-General Alan Stretton, Director-General of the Natural Disasters Organisation, was placed in charge of the rescue effort. He arrived in Darwin late on Christmas night and remained until 31 December. Emergency committees were established to help set up emergency accommodation, communications, and to provide food and sanitation facilities. They also began clean-up operations.

The scale of the assistance provided by the Natural Disasters Organisation under the leadership of Major General Alan Stretton was the largest ever given to an Australian community following a natural disaster.