I was in my bedroom getting ready in front of my wardrobe mirrors.

I was really surprised when they started to bend and then snapped while the whole house shook on its piers.

I was supposed to start my new job at Council on January 1 but because of the earthquake, I didn’t start for weeks.

That was the best New Year’s Eve I have ever experienced. 

The centre of the city was shut down and the disaster just brought everyone together.

My friend Kate and I got to the park across from the Beach Hotel, Merewether and started drinking. At about 4pm, a van pulled up and a guy said “Ok, I need you two girls and three more to go to Beaumont Street for a photo.”

So we grabbed three strangers and hopped in the back of his van. It sounds dodgy now but I wasn’t worried at the time.

The journo staged the photo of our party amidst the devastation. I think he picked me because of my electric blue heels.

Friends and relatives all over Australia picked up their papers on New Year’s Day to see my face.

I was too young to be deeply affected by the disaster but I think the earthquake has made Newcastle people more generous and caring than elsewhere.

When my niece needed help with her medical expenses, Newcastle people were so supportive.

I have worked in different roles in Council, am married with two teenage girls.

Cath Burden

Then 21 year old Travel Agent, Lambton