Memory Lines - A Workers Memorial

The NSW Union movement has unveiled a spectacular sculpture in memory of workers who had lost their lives at work and for those who had died as a result of a workplace illness.

The beautiful two storey high sculpture called 'Memory Lines' represents the lifecycle of a person's working life; the void in our life when a loved one is lost, and the memory lines that are left behind.

Families who lost there loved ones placed a white lily in the void and tied memory cards of there loved ones onto the 'memory lines' that make up part of the striking sculpture.

Relatives and family members of Sydneysiders who had died at work attended the unveiling, including the family and friends of 16-year-old Joel Exner who died last year in his first week on the job.

Joel fell 15 metres to his death from the roof of a western Sydney building site.

Unions also placed a lily at the base of the sculpture in memory of lost workers.

Designed by a famous Sydney Artist, Ingrid Skirka the sculpture was officially unveiled by NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca at a ceremony marking the 15th International Day of Mourning for Deaths in the Workplace.

The first Workers International Day of Mourning was observed on 28th April 1989. This date was selected on the basis that it was the anniversary of the United States' Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the day of a similar remembrance in Canada.

Every year, people in hundreds of communities and worksites recognise workmates who have been killed or injured on the job. Workers around the world, including those in Australia, now mark 28th April as an International Day of Mourning.

Each year there are more deaths in the workplace than on our national roads and NSW Unions are working towards turning this around.

The sculpture stands in Sydney's Darling Harbour and is set to become a rallying point for unions and their members campaigning for health and safety in the workplace.

Other events and rallies were held around Australia to mark the day.

© 2002 UNIONSAFE
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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:33 EST