The Queensland Government unveiled a permanent state monument at Redbank, Ipswich to honour miners who lost their lives in mine and quarry accidents and disasters.
The monument was unveiled during the annual Miners Memorial Day services yesterday, held on the anniversary of Queensland’s worst mining disaster at Mount Mulligan, where 75 miners lost their lives.
“It is very fitting that the permanent State Miners Memorial Monument is located here in Redbank, given its historical significance for coal mining in Queensland,” natural resources and mines minister Anthony Lynham said.
“As the eucalyptus saplings and revegetation plantings grow and the park matures, the State Miners Memorial Monument will be a special place for many people wanting to pay their respects or remember a family member, friend or colleague.”
Designed by Queensland artist Scott Maxwell, the circular, open air monument is approximately 30m in diameter and made from sandstone blocks. It features name plaques of all miners killed in mining accidents and disasters in Queensland since 1877.
The monument was created as designed as a public space to encourage members of the community to visit and reflect on the mine workers.
“While the safety record of Queensland mines has improved exponentially since the 1880s, unfortunately fatalities are not a thing of the past,” Lynham added.
“Every worker has the right to go to work expecting to go home safely to their family at the end of their shift and for this reason we are continuously working to improve safety and health in Queensland mines.”