Memories of the Mount St Canice explosion, Hobart 1974

Since I wrote about the 1974 Mount St Canice explosion, I have been back there and located the plaque with the names of those who died.

I've also been talking to Tasmanian friends about it; and to my surprise two of my closest friends know all about it and have vivid memories of it. Anna was 8 at the time and Lindy was 6.

The explosion happened during the school holidays. Lindy (who's from Burnie originally like me) was visiting her grandfather in Hobart, with her family. He lived in Sandy Bay, 600 metres from St Canice. Lindy remembers the incredibly loud bang. Her sister was on the toilet at the time, and her brother joked that her sister was responsible for the deafening sound. That's all she can remember, but it's been discussed in the family down the years.

Anna and her mother and younger siblings were staying at their beach cottage for the holidays. Her father was working in the city each day, and driving out to join them after work. Anna’s parents were friends to Josie Godec and her sisters; and Josie’s son Valentine spent a few days staying there. He was a couple of years older but got on well with the other children.

Anna’s recollection is that her father came home on that Thursday 5 September and had the heavy responsibility of telling Valentine his mother was dead. In fact, Josie survived for several more days; so perhaps Anna’s father’s news was that she was very badly injured. My heart goes out to that little boy, but also to Anna’s father who had that long drive to think about how he would tell him.