A day to remember Queensland miners

The State Government has held an inaugural Miners Memorial Day to commemorate the lives of more than 1450 miners who died in mining tragedies that touch on three different centuries of mining in Queensland.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas and Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said Miners Memorial Day fell on the anniversary of the worst mining disaster in Queensland’s history.

On the 19^th September, 1921, 75 miners lost their lives in a coal dust explosion at Mount Mulligan in far north Queensland.

“Today, we will remember those Mount Mulligan miners and we will remember the miners of Box Flat, Kianga, Collinsville and Moura, and all miners who have lost their lives since mining began in Queensland in the 1800s,” Mr Lucas said.

“Their deaths are a sad part of our collective history and the history of workers, their struggle, and sadly the ultimate sacrifice of workers should never be forgotten.

“Mining has helped forge our strong economy. From the gold rush days of the 1800s, mining has become a multi-billion dollar industry that is powering Queensland.

“And while we enjoy the benefits of the resources boom, we should reflect on how we got here today and at what price – that’s what Miners Memorial Day is all about,” Mr Lucas said.

The Acting Premier and Minister Wilson took part in a Memorial Service at the Roma Street Parklands today.

They were joined by representatives from the Queensland Resources Council, the CFMEU, the AWU and many retired miners and their families, in an ecumenical service led by Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby.

The Member for Bundamba, Jo-Ann Miller, whose father and grandfather were miners, travelled with a group of former miners from Box Flat to today’s memorial service.

Many mine sites around Queensland will follow the lead of Kagara Copper mine at Charters Towers and hold a minute’s silence for their comrades.

“We must never forget our history. It’s important that we remember, so that when we hold it up to the light, years later, we can tell our children of the sacrifices made by the men and women who worked in our mines,” Mr Wilson said.

“These tragic events are recorded, not just in flickering black and white newsreels, but in the memories of mining communities today,” he said.

“No one knows more than you of the terrible consequences of a mining disaster, because you are mining people and you know what it’s like,” Mr Wilson said at the service.

“People here have fought at the forefront of political and industrial struggle. And by being here today, we are able to reflect on what can happen if we are not vigilant about protecting the safety and health of mine workers.

“Queensland has the best mine safety legislation in the country and one of the best mine safety records in the world. It’s in everyone’s interests to keep it that way.

“The highest safety standards must continue to be enforced – mine by mine, employer by employer, worker by worker.

“Nothing is more important than the safety and health of the men and women who work in Queensland’s mines,” Mr Wilson said.

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