Disasters have always occurred in Australia, even before European settlement began in 1788. Such is the geography and climate of the 'Great South Land' that disasters such as bushfires, cyclones, storms, floods, drought and heatwaves are natural phenomena. They also tend to be seasonal and can be successive: bushfires follow periods of drought or heatwave, and floods follow cyclones or storms. The original inhabitants as well as those who came after the First Fleet have had to learn to live with these and to find ways to overcome the impacts. Australia has also occasionally been affected by natural disasters not commonly associated with this part of the world, including earthquakes, tornadoes and landslides. While most do not result in loss of human life or major damage, they are significant owing to their rarity. People tend to equate disasters with loss of human life and this book includes most of the disasters in Australia that have resulted in loss of life. There have been a number with significant loss of life, including Cyclone Mahina in 1899, the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983, the Gundagai floods of 1852, Cyclone Tracy in 1974 and the Granville bridge collapse in 1977. There have been also been many where although fewer lives were lost there was a great damage toll on buildings and property, such as the Newcastle earthquake in 1989, the Sydney hail storm of 1999 and the northern Tasmanian floods of 1929. Structural fires are also commonly placed in the disaster category because they are so costly in terms of fatalities, injuries and damage. Many people, however, don't include economic or agricultural impact among the criteria for disasters, which means drought and heatwaves are often disregarded. However, these are synonymous with Australia and many have taken a great toll. This book is part of Exisle Publishing's Little Red Books series. Every title in the Little Red Books series provides an overview of key events, people or places in Australian history. They cover the essentials, bringing the reader up to speed on the most important, fascinating or intriguing facts. Appealing to everyone from students to pensioners who've always wanted to "know a bit about that", they're an essential part of every Australian bookshelf.

From cyclones to sinking ships, from mine explosions to train crashes, faulty planes and bridge collapses, from the shooting in Port Arthur to the Bali bombing, from floods in the north to bushfires in the south, Australia has not been immune to the fickle finger of fate...No one expects cataclysmic events, but when disaster strikes, life changes in an instant: priorities shift, and often, life is reduced to blood, bone and memory...Historian Jonathan King has meticulously recounted the anatomy of twenty-three Australian disasters, showing us the events and conditions that conspired to their happening. More importantly, he draws out the stories of those Australians whose lives were irrevocably changed, and myriad stories of heroism and bravery...Many of the disasters in this book were caused by human error or negligence. Dreadful as they are, most have led to constructive outcomes, such as tighter gun controls in Australia in the aftermath of the Port Arthur shooting; stricter regulations for air, sea and rail transportation; and safer conditions for all workers...Humane and moving, Great Disasters in Australian History brings forth the everyday dimensions of a disaster to allow us to understand and empathise with the victims and survivors. The book is a small step to helping us remember how much things have changed - and how much we must remain vigilant so that we are not condemned to repeat past mistakes.

Mastered from the 35mm and 16mm film originals, this video features footage of accidents which have occurred as a result of human error and mechanical failure, as well as the natural disasters.

In recent times the frequency and severity of natural disasters has placed a clear emphasis on the ability of governments to plan, prepare and respond in an effective way. Disaster Management in Australia examines government coordination when faced with large scale crises, outlining the challenges in managing events such as the 2009 Victorian bushfires and 2011 Queensland floods. The public sector is equipped to deal with policy and service delivery in more routine environments, but crisis management often requires a wider government response where leadership, coordination, social capital, organisational culture and institutions are intertwined in the preparation, response and aftermath of large scale crises. As crises continue to increase in prevalence and severity, this book provides a tangible framework to conceptualise crisis management which can be utilised by researchers, emergency services and government officials alike. Disaster Management in Australia is an important contribution to the study of government coordination of crises and, as such, will be of considerable interest to students and scholars of disaster management, and to policy makers and practitioners looking to refine their approach.

From the first wreck in 1622 off Western Australia to the tragedy of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Evan McHugh captures all the drama of Australia's maritime history. There are swashbuckling mutineers, violent storms, uncharted reefs, enemy warships, as well as ripping yarns about Dutchmen and lascars, Aborigines and escaped convicts. In producing this remarkable book, McHugh has made extensive use of first-hand accounts and contemporary records. With characteristic flair, he also delves into the mysteries and controversies that still surround so many of the wrecks. Shipwrecks is a white-knuckle voyage through chaos and tragedy which proclaims the courage and strength of the human spirit. It is a powerful reminder that even in the twenty-first century, the sea remains a great, unconquered frontier.

"Australia has recently experienced a number of large scale and devastating natural disasters, including catastrophic bushfires, far reaching floods, and damaging storms. Natural disasters are a feature of the Australian climate and landscape and this threat will continue, not least because climate change is making weather patterns less predictable and more extreme. Such events can have personal, social, economic and environmental impacts that take many years to dissipate"-Introduction.