National Workers Memorial (Australia)

The National Workers Memorial in the national capital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, is Australia's place for honouring workers who have died as a result of work-related accidents, incidents and disease.

The National Workers Memorial in 2013

Purpose

In May 2011, the Australian Government provided funding for the design and construction of a memorial "to honour and pay tribute to working Australians who have died as a result of work-related accidents, incidents and disease".[1] The other stated purposes are:

  • To serve "as a poignant reminder of the importance of work health and safety and the need for a determined and continued effort by all to prevent work-related accidents and disease. It is also a place to reflect on the evolving values, ideas and aspirations of the Australian community in relation to work health and safety."[1]
  • To provide "a place for visitors to lay a tribute for a loved one, a location to pause and reflect within earshot of the National Carillon’s bells, as well as allowing a space for congregation, interaction and ceremony."[1]
  • To provide "an important focal point for the national commemoration of Workers Memorial Day, recognised internationally on 28 April each year."[1]

Workplace deaths amount to around 300 per year in Australia.[2]

Site

The site in Canberra is within the sound of the bells of the National Carillon, in Kings Park, Canberra, beside Lake Burley Griffin. The other memorials nearby are:

The memorial has been sanctioned by the National Capital Authority as the memorial is within the Parliamentary Triangle of Canberra.[3][4]

Structure

The memorial consists of eight tall stone poles, symbolically sighted across a stylised map of Australia in the places of the state and territory capital cities. Architectural firm Johnson Pilton Walker[5] has placed concentric circles around the poles with words representing the intended outcome of knowledge and application of good practices of work health and safety.

The lead-in path has two inscriptions along its edge, saying:

  • every worker has the right to return home
  • every workplace death diminishes us as a nation

Construction is reported to have cost A$3 million.[2][6]

Inauguration ceremony

The inauguration ceremony was held on Sunday 28 April 2013.[2]

  • "every worker has the right to return home"
  • "every workplace death diminishes us as a nation" and "I think about her every day"
  • Plaque
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See also

References
  1. National Workers Memorial (official website), retrieved 2 June 2013
  2. National memorial honours victims of workplace accidents, Siobhan Heanue, ABC News Online, 28 April 2013, retrieved 2 June 2013
  3. National Workers Memorial officially opened, 2 May 2013, accessed 4 June 2013
  4. National Workers Memorial, National Capital Authority, retrieved 4 June 2013
  5. National Workers’ Memorial design winner announced, ArchitectureAU, 21 March 2012, retrieved 4 June 2013
  6. Tears as memorial to workers opens, Megan Doherty, Canberra Times, 29 April 2013, retrieved 2 June 2013

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