Mackay’s Greatest Natural Disaster Remembering The Families Affected By The 1918 Cyclone

On 20 January 1918, Mackay faced one of the most destructive natural disasters in Queensland’s history. An unnamed cyclone with wind gusts estimated at 195 kilometres an hour tore through the city, while a storm surge produced waves up to 2.7 metres high. Over three days, relentless rainfall totalling 1,141 mm flooded the Pioneer River, leaving a trail of devastation. Communication breakdowns meant news of the disaster did not reach the wider world for five days.

Reports suggest thirty lives were lost across the Mackay region, however only 28 men, women and children are identified on the official memorial plaque that stands by the Pioneer River at the Bluewater Quay today.

Among those who perished was William Coakley, a respected community member who is believed to have donated land in Farley for the local Catholic Church.

“He was known to be a very polite, nice man,” said Local Historian and 2026 Mackay Australian Citizen of the Year, Col Benson.

The Welsh family also suffered horrific losses, with a father and five children swept away by floodwaters. Only one child, Edward, survived when he became lodged against a window and was later rescued by a legendary local man.

"There are many families who still remember aspects of that disaster,” said Col.

“This year’s tribute reminded us of their resilience and the lives affected.”

He reflected personally on the impact: "My mother was just nine years old at the time, visiting her cousin. Their home was destroyed, and the water came up to the 12th step. It’s a story that has stayed with our family, and it represents so many others in Mackay.

“Their courage and the way the community rebuilt after the cyclone is what makes Mackay’s history so remarkable," Mr Benson said.

“The memorials we see today, like the Baker’s Creek Memorial, are there to honour those who survived and those who didn’t.”

The Pioneer River memorial, officially unveiled in 1998, lists the names of known victims, serving as a solemn reminder of the human cost. Yet, Mackay has never held an annual ceremony to honour the lives lost, leaving families without a formal way to remember.

Eyewitness accounts from the time describe the intensity of the storm. George Randall, former Officer in Charge of the Flat Top Lighthouse, recorded winds reaching hurricane force by midnight on 20 January and noted the destruction of homes, wharves, and the outer harbour embankment. Relief and communication efforts were hampered for days, with supplies and support only arriving after repeated attempts to signal passing ships. Randall’s log details both the physical devastation and the human perseverance that helped Mackay recover.

The 1918 cyclone remains Mackay’s greatest natural disaster, a story of both loss and the extraordinary resilience of its people in a bid to shape the region to what it is today.

The following is a list of those who lost their lives in the 1918 cyclone, as recorded on the memorial:

Aboriginal male recorded as “Dummy”
Aboriginal male recorded as “Jimmy”
Charles Anderson
William Anderson
Joseph Carr
William Coakley
Richard Francis
Edna Frier
Charles Hartwig
Edward Hehin
J. M. Kenney
Robert Morton
Armenia Pagel
Alice Amelia Shanks
Alice Shanks
Cyril Shanks
John Shanks
Elizabeth Welch
Mabel Welch
Rose Welch
Lucy Welch
Charles Welch
Sarah Welch
Georgina Renor
Mary Renor
Thomas Renor
Unknown Malay male

Mackay’s 1918 cyclone, with 195 km/h winds and massive flooding, claimed 30 lives and devastated the city, remembered today through survivor stories and the Pioneer River memorial. Photo source: Col Benson

‍