Newcastle has marked 30 years since a devastating earthquake claimed 13 lives and ripped the NSW city apart.
Thousands of buildings were destroyed and many residents left homeless when the 5.6-magnitude quake struck on December 28, 1989.
Novocastrians gathered at Newcastle's Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary of the disaster.
Among those in attendance was Alan Playford, a paramedic who rescued victims of the quake.
A man listens during a service to commemorate the 13 victims who died in the 1989 earthquake. Source: AAP
Mr Playford was at the Newcastle Workers Club, which became the focal point of the disaster - nine of the 13 people killed by the earthquake were inside.
Honouring the 30th anniversary was an emotional experience, according to Mr Playford, who was joined by other rescuers and victims.
"I would have to say a little surreal, mixing with some of the survivors who brought different stories about how they have gotten on since then," he said.
An artwork by Birgitte Hansen depicts Alan Playford, an Intensive Care Paramedic at the time of the Newcastle earthquake, alongside survivor Norm Duffy. Source: AAP
"It was a little confronting in some cases but you have to reflect on it."
The earthquake lasted just six seconds, but it has left a permanent mark on those who lived through it.
In total 300 buildings had to be demolished, including the workers club.
The club was being set up for a gig that night featuring Crowded House, Boom Crash Opera and Split Enz.
Speaking to the AAP about what he saw on the day of the earthquake, Mr Playford described the workers club as "the loneliest place on earth", after police ordered everyone but rescuers to leave.
A man arrives at Christchurch Cathedral in Newcastle for a service to commemorate the 13 victims who died in the 1989 earthquake. Source: AAP
"There wasn't a soul there except for the dead, those injured and the rescuers and paramedics," he said.
"We did get in there and found quite a number of people trapped under hundreds of tonnes of concrete, still alive, which beggars belief.
Three people were killed on Beaumont Street in inner-suburban Hamilton when shop awnings collapsed and another person died the following day from quake-induced shock.
About 50,000 buildings were damaged with 80 per cent of those being homes, according to figures on the Newcastle City Council website.
The total bill from the damage reached $4 billion.
Service to commemorate the 13 victims who died in the 1989 earthquake, at Christchurch Cathedral in Newcastle. Source: AAP
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes told AAP those killed in the disaster have not been forgotten by the city.
"It's hard to believe three decades have passed since the earthquake because the day is still so vivid for many of us," she said.
""We also acknowledged the incredible efforts of the city's emergency services personnel and others who helped their fellow citizens in a situation that might have overwhelmed people of lesser mettle."
