Best foot forward for Worker’s Memorial

TO raise funds for the Ballarat and Regional Workers Memorial, Ballarat resident Kelly Dubberley walked from Geelong to Ballarat.

His destination was the site of a trench collapse in Delacombe that killed Jack Brownlee and Charlie Howkins three years before, and Mr Dubberley arrived on the incident’s third anniversary.

“Being a close friend of the Brownlee family, I’ve seen what they’ve had to go through over the past two years and I wanted to give something back to them,” he said.

“Six months ago, I told Jeanine I was going to walk from my side of Geelong where I was working when I found out about the incident to Ballarat, to the boys site.

“I’m hoping the message of workplace safety will resonate with everyone so we can all keep safe at work and come home to our loved ones.”

Initially expecting to complete the walk solo, Mr Dubberley said he’s been impressed by the outpouring support of people both joining him on the walk and opening their wallets.

“I didn’t plan on having so much support, it’s been amazing although it’s been a lot harder than I thought it would be so without these guys, I’m not sure if I would have made it,” he said.

“The whole point of this is to raise money for the regional memorial, which is not just for these families but for the wider community who have lost someone in a workplace incident and we’ve achieved $10,000 pretty easily and we think we’ll definitely hit the $20,000.

“These things can’t be done without sponsors, and we were lucky that some jumped on board early, Protect, Inception Planning, PO Box Design, Custom Steel Engineering and Keystone Civil Engineering, without those guys we couldn’t have done what needed to be done.”

Working alongside the Brownlee and Howkins families, the $100,000 memorial is currently under planning stages thanks to local artist Garry Anderson.

Ballarat Trades Hall secretary Brett Edgington said the memorial will be a place for families in the region to remember loved ones who have not come home from work.

“It will be the focus of Workers Memorial Day each year on the 28th of April where a few hundred people can be accommodated around the memorial in parkland,” he said.

“It will also boldly acknowledge the introduction of the industrial manslaughter law in Victoria and all those who fought for its inception.

“We sincerely thank Kelly for his efforts in raising funds to realise this memorial.”

In support of the fundraising cause, Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said after spending time with both the Ballarat families, she wants to be a part of making some good out of this tragedy.

“They have been passionate advocates for workplace manslaughter laws and are committed to see a workers’ memorial established,” she said.

“Passing the Workplace Manslaughter Act in 2019 was a very proud moment for me, I felt it helped the Brownlee and Howkins families.

“I walked with Kelly into Ballarat as I feel the tragic loss of Jack and Charlie or any worker who dies at work should be remembered, the memorial will be a quiet place to reflect and remember them.”

To support Kelly’s fundraising visit bit.ly/3qXhAFq.