The Holden Monaro is a car produced from 1968 to 1977 and again from 2001 to 2005, and the one on display carries a somber story tied to the Tasman Bridge disaster on January 5, 1975, in Hobart.
That night, a huge ore carrier—a ship that carries heavy materials like iron ore—crashed into several pylons, the tall structures that support the bridge, causing a big part of the bridge to fall into the river below. This tragic accident took the lives of twelve people, including seven crew members on the ship and five people in cars that fell 45 meters after driving off the bridge, one of whom was Frank Manley, a beloved local resident known for his friendly smile and helpful nature. The disaster cut off the main road between Hobart and its eastern suburbs, making it harder for people to get around and affecting local businesses. Because of this event, officials looked closely at bridge safety and made improvements to prevent similar accidents. The community still remembers this event through memorials and events, and the Monaro, which was left precariously balancing on the edge of the bridge, stands in its original condition as a reminder of that fateful night.
