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22 September, 2008
A memorial event in Brisbane, Australia, and a minute of silence at all mining operations in Queensland State marked the first Miners’ Memorial Day on Friday, 19 September. The state-wide tribute to fallen miners was the brain-child of the Energy and Mining Division of the Construction, Forestry, Mining, and Energy Union (CFMEU) of Queensland.
The day was chosen because it was on 19 September 1921 that the worst mining disaster in Queensland history occurred: 75 miners perished in a coal-dust explosion at Mount Mulligan in the northern reaches of the state. The day was officially recognised by the state government, with Acting Premier Paul Lucas, speaking at the memorial in Brisbane, saying that many miners had paid the ultimate price for an industry which had helped form Queensland’s strong economy.
“While we enjoy the benefits of the resources boom, we should reflect on how we got here today and at what price,” Lucas said.
CFMEU Queensland put the count at 1,450 miners who have died at collieries since the early 1800s. CFMEU state Secretary Jim Valery said residents of the eastern Australian state often forget the sacrifices that have been made by miners and their families in bringing prosperity to Queensland.
Besides the 1921 Mount Mulligan mine explosion, other tragic examples of coal-mining catastrophes in modern times occurred at Box Flat on 31 July 1972, when 17 miners died, and on 13 October 1954 at Collinsville, where seven miners died in a gas explosion. In addition, 36 miners lost their lives in recent history at mines in the area around Moura. On 7 August 1994, 11 died at a colliery near the east-central Queensland town; on 18 July 1986, 12 perished at the Moura No. 4 mine; and on 20 September 1975, 13 died inside the Kianga mine.
Last year in Brisbane, an excellent video documentary entitled “Make Safety Their Monument” was produced, with funds commissioned by the Queensland Resources Council.