Memory Lines — a workers' memorial

The NSW union movement has unveiled a spectacular sculpture in 
memory of workers who had lost their lives at work and for those 
who had died as a result of a workplace illness.

Designed by a famous Sydney Artist, Ingrid Skirka the sculpture 
was officially unveiled at a ceremony marking the 15th 
International Day of Mourning for Deaths in the Workplace.

The beautiful two-storey high sculpture called "Memory Lines" 
represents the lifecycle of a person's working life; the void in 
our life when a loved one is lost, and the memory lines that are 
left behind. It stands in Sydney's Darling Harbour and is set to 
become a rallying point for unions and their members campaigning 
for health and safety in the workplace.

Relatives and family members of Sydneysiders who had died at work 
attended the unveiling, including the family and friends of 16-
year-old Joel Exner who died last year in his first week on the 
job.

Joel fell 15 metres to his death from the roof of a western 
Sydney building site.

Unions also placed a lily at the base of the sculpture in memory 
of lost workers.

Families who had lost loved ones placed a white lily in the void 
and tied memory cards of their loved ones onto the "memory lines" 
that make up part of the striking sculpture.

The first Workers International Day of Mourning was observed on 
April 28, 1989. This date was selected on the basis that it was 
the anniversary of the United States' Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration and the day of a similar remembrance in 
Canada.

Every year, people in hundreds of communities and worksites 
recognise workmates who have been killed or injured on the job. 
Workers around the world, including those in Australia, now mark 
April 28 as an International Day of Mourning.

Each year there are more deaths in the workplace than on our 
national roads.

Other events and rallies were held around Australia to mark the 
day.