National Workers Memorial (Australia)

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]

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:

• National Police Memorial
• HMAS Canberra (D33)

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

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]

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

• National Workers Memorial - United States (Silver Spring, Maryland)
• The Muster Point

Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Workers Memorial (Australia).

• National Workers Memorial official website (.gov.au)