Workplace fatalities to be memorialised

IN COMMEMORATION of the many regional employees who have died on work sites, a sculptural art piece has been commissioned for the Winterfield Estate.

Located along the Kensington Creek, the plot of land dedicated for the memorial is close to where Ballarat workers Jack Brownlee and Charlie Howkins lost their lives in a trench collapse in 2018.

The families of these young men were the catalyst that saw changes made in the Victorian Parliament with the passing of industrial manslaughter offences, making the death of a worker due to negligence by an employer a criminal act.

In addition to changing laws, the two families spearheaded plans for the workers memorial and called for the streets bordering the parkland to be named Howkins Avenue and Brownlee Boulevard.

Family member Lana Cormie said that while the monument will provide an artistic and beautiful space for the community, it is

symbolic of not only the lives lost but the hope for the future.

“One of the aims of this memorial is to give hope, not just to remember those who have passed but also about our hope for the future that all our sons and daughters can go to work and be safe,” she said.

“That is something many people have strived for in this country and this monument will also represent this hope.

“This new community that is being built around us and that Charlie and Jack helped to build is going to be a wonderful space for them to spend with their families.”

After an extensive application process, the families decided to work with local artist Garry Anderson to bring the project to life.

Mr Anderson said he was shocked to be chosen but dedicated to delivering on the hopes and visions of the families involved.

“Although, it’s a daunting task, I would like the community to feel that I have captured the energy and the fight that everybody has fought for a very long time to change laws when we needed that change,” he said.

“It will be big, it will be figurative and symbolic of the struggle and the triumph of the people behind the story and effecting a change.

“It’s an important message that we need to get across here of the power people can effect to make change.”

Once completed, the memorial site will serve as a place for workers in the region to meet and commemorate those they have lost.

Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council secretary Brett Edgington said the monument will be the future location for a service International Memorial Workers Day.

“We can get workers and families who have lost loved ones in the region together here on this site to mark and pay our respects,” he said.

“Given the significance of this place … this will be a focus and a reminder that we need to continue our fight to make sure workers are safe.

“It’s a way to remember that we need to keep and continue our fight to make sure that each and With the Workers Memorial set to cost up to $200,000, the families are calling out for financial help from local businesses and the wider community.

Dave Brownlee said it would be a positive thing for Ballarat to have a nice memorial where people who have been touched by these tragedies can congregate and take strength from that.

“It’s tragic that it has happened this way,” he said. “I would just like people to donate if they feel they need to, some companies might even like to donate.

“We’ll work with Garry to make something that will be hopefully everlasting for all workers in Victoria that have been touched by these instances.”