01-08-2025
Tess watched as an atom bomb fell on Hiroshima. This is what she wants the world to know
Produced in collaboration with SBS Japanese It may be 80 years since an atomic bomb fell on the Japanese city of Hiroshima but for Tetsuko known as 'Tess' McKenzie, the memories remain vivid. Suddenly stronger lights went to the through eye. I said, 'oh, what is that? What is that now?' And then next thing is tremendous sound. As a teenager, Ms McKenzie was heading to Hiroshima to see a movie with a friend, when the bomb fell. It was August 6th, 1945. 'I said to friend 'what's that white thing?' And then just watching and gradually, gradually that come to and up like mushroom.' From the platform the girls could only stand and stare as the unusual cloud formed above Hiroshima. They had just missed a train – an event that undoubtedly saved their lives! 'Oh yes. If I caught that train, scheduled one, I be right in Hiroshima. So that, we blessed.' At least 140-thousand people died in the first bomb blast. A second bomb released on Nagasaki days later added to the toll. Even now, Ms McKenzie still cannot believe she was spared. 'I started believing in God. And even these days thank God that I wake up morning and then before go to sleep. Thank you God.' It wasn't her only brush with death. During the war, the family's home city was razed by allied bombs. Ms McKenzie vividly recalls the destruction. 'My city of Kure was burned out. We had bombs at night time and burnt out and then nothing there, just nothing in ' Ms McKenzie is proud to share her remarkable story and also to reminisce about her post-war work with allied forces, where she met an Australian soldier, corporal Ray Murray McKenzie, her future husband! 'I just thought 'oh, he's a good looking'. He was good looking (laughs) once that he approached to me and then I never regret. Never regret. He is a very nice, good man.' Their love would change the course of her life. Marrying in 1952, the couple made Melbourne their home during a climate of postwar prejudice against Japanese 'war brides'. 'Some people doesn't like to see that Japanese woman with soldiers.A very hard to attitude!' A loving Australian family helped her thrive in a new land. And giving back has sustained a long and healthy life. Always communicating with people I think that keeps you young. 'I want to make sure world don't ever forget what happened.' A long-time resident of Melbourne, these days Ms McKenzie is surrounded by her extended family. Granddaughter Eri Ibuki among those grateful for her company. 'We are all very proud of Nana as a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing. Now she's getting teary (laughs) but she's just such a strong and resilient person.' Great granddaughter Tahlia Pynt aims to visit Hiroshima next year, to find out more about the day that changed Japanese history. 'I really hope that we can learn our lessons because our nana has been through so much and it's made the person, made her who she is today, and I just hope that we can learn from the mistakes.' Many young Japanese students visit Ms McKenzie's suburban home, some introduced by Masafumi Takahashi from the Association of New Elderly in Melbourne, a community group that aims to prevent social isolation. 'Her stories and the experience is just so precious and unique. And also I feel responsibility to pass what happened before to younger generations.' As nuclear tensions rise in some parts of the world, the human cost of World War 2 continues to haunt Ms McKenzie. 'When I heard that war ended I thought happy to end. At the same time, so many people lost life. What's that for? ' amid ongoing global conflicts, she has this warning. 'Why have to make that things to destroy people? Never end, never end. It's very sad. Honestly.'
