City of Melbourne Council, in partnership with Victorian Trades Hall and WorkSafe, has announced it will commission a memorial to honour workers who have lost their lives while on the job.
Expressions of interest are now open, with Council encouraging applications from local and international artists to design and produce the memorial.
It says the memorial will be a meaningful place where families, friends and colleagues of workers who have died while at work can gather, reflect and commemorate their lives.
“Everyone should come home safe and healthy from work at the end of the day – and it’s devastating when that doesn’t happen,” said Lord Mayor, Nick Reece.
“More than 450 workers have died on the job in Victoria since 2018, every single case is a human tragedy. This memorial will pay tribute to the thousands of workers’ lives lost in our state – and be a place of respect and reflection for families and loved ones.”
The Eight Hour Monument Reserve (pictured) on the corner of Victoria and Russell streets in central Melbourne will be home to the memorial – across from the Victorian Trades Hall Council building where union members have organised for safer workplaces for over 150 years.
The reserve features the existing Eight Hour Monument, which celebrates those who fought to make Victoria the first place in the world to mandate the Eight Hour working Day. It was designed by Percival Ball and completed in 1903.
“Every worker should come home safely. Tragically on average over 60 workers each year are killed on the job. Memorials like this are not only a place where families, workmates and friends can remember loved ones killed on the job but they’re also a reminder for all of us to do better,” said Victorian Trades Hall Secretary, Luke Hilakari.
“This memorial will serve as a place to honour Victorians who have lost their lives at work, and a reminder to all of us that every worker deserves to come home safely,” said Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Danny Pearson.
“Workplace fatalities are devastating for families and workmates – this memorial will be a place where they can gather and reflect.”
The Memorial will be funded by the Victorian Government. Expressions of interest are open until 30 September. For more information on how to apply, visit City of Melbourne website.
