The annual memorial service to commemorate the International Day of Mourning was held on Saturday, April 28, at the Ourimbah Wall of Remembrance.
Every year on April 28, many countries around the world take a moment to commemorate workers who have died in the workplace. The first Central Coast International Day of Mourning service occurred in 2006. Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan, was a key advocate behind the push for the Ourimbah Wall of Remembrance, which was built in 2006. “Outside of Sydney, the Central Coast was one of the first to hold a service on the International Day of Mourning, and ever since the construction of the Remembrance Wall, we have been holding the ceremony there,” Mr Mehan said. This commemoration was hosted by Unions NSW, together with Central Coast Community Union Alliance and SafeWork NSW.
“There was a large turn out this year, gratifying the importance of this event,” Mr Mehan said. “The attendees included Federal Member for Dobell, Ms Emma McBride, and representatives from Central Coast Council, Central Coast Unions, Unions NSW, Safe Work NSW, the Asbestos and Disease Association NSW, and community members, as well as friends and family of those who had lost their loved ones due to death in the workplace.”
“The International Day of Mourning is important because it is the one day of the year alone where we specifically ask people to remember work is still a place of risk,” Mr Mehan said. “Even though we’ve seen improvements in workplace safety, so far this year 40 people have died in a workplace incident. “This follows the deaths of 182 workers last year, and in 2016, the death of 186 workers.” Mr Mehan said “work shouldn’t be a dangerous place, the danger should be controlled, and individuals should return home to their family after a day of work.
“This should be a priority.” Federal Member for Dobell, Ms Emma McBride, spoke at the service and stressed the significant impact mental health had in the workplace. “As we remember those who lost their lives through workplace incidents and occupational diseases, I want to focus on mental health in the workplace,” Ms McBride said.
“As a former mental health worker, I am relieved that we have come a long way in talking about mental health in the workplace. “But we have a long way to go to remove stigma and to make workplaces safe for everyone. “We do speak more freely about mental health, but we still often do so in hushed tones,” she continued.
Ms McBride continued her speech, mentioning five men near and dear to her that had battled through their own mental health issues. “As soon as someone’s work becomes insecure, it impacts on their mental health, and we do have a great deal of insecurity around work in our community,” Ms McBride said.
“Problems are often invisible until someone is in crisis. “As well as our families and friends, we must all watch out for our fellow workers. “Are they safe in their workplace? “Is there something more we can do?” she concluded.
Source: Media release, Apr 26 Interview, Apr 30 David Mehan, Member for The Entrance Speech, Apr 27 Emma McBride, Member for Dobell Kajal Buhagiar, journalist