Media release – Dept of State Growth, 16 December 2024

Commemorating 50 years since the Tasman Bridge disaster

On Sunday, 5 January 2025, 50 years will have passed since the Tasman Bridge disaster, when the MV Lake Illawarra collided into the Tasman Bridge. Several lives were lost, and the disaster changed Tasmania forever.

To remember the lives that were lost and to commemorate this moment in Tasmania’s history, activities have been coordinated for Sunday, 5 January 2025.

Exhibition

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) will be holding an exhibition, On The Edge, to commemorate the loss of life. Featuring two cars that were fortunate enough to escape the disaster, the exhibition will be an opportunity for family, friends and the public to remember 5 January 1975.

Held in TMAG’s courtyard, the exhibition runs from Friday, 3 January to Sunday, 12 January 2025.

On Sunday, 5 January 2025, a private viewing of the exhibition will be held for individuals who were directly impacted by the disaster. This may include family of those who lost their lives, who were on the bridge or Lake Illawarra at the time of impact, or who were part of the project to rebuild the Tasman Bridge. Please email [email protected].au if you would like to attend the private viewing.

As part of the exhibition, members of the public are encouraged to share their stories and experiences of living through the disaster at tasmanbridge50years.tas.gov.au/your-experience.

Tasman Bridge moment of reflection

As a moment of reflection for the lives lost, the Tasman Bridge will be closed for three minutes, at the approximate time of impact from 9:27 pm to 9:30 pm on Sunday, 5 January 2025.

Tasman Bridge feature lighting will be dimmed to dark blue between piers 17 and 19 from 9:27 pm to 9:57 pm on Sunday, 5 January 2025, to signify the area of impact. Feature lighting at this section will return to bright white from 9:58 pm onwards.

Due to potential reduced visibility, all vessels are requested to avoid passing through any spans of the Tasman Bridge while the feature lighting above has been dimmed.

Other commemorative activities

All commemorative activities, events and publications being held across the state by other organisations will be listed on the anniversary website tasmanbridge50years.tas.gov.au/events

Organisations wanting to be featured can contact the Department of State Growth at [email protected].au