The article that Kevin posted was about the Deceased Workers Memorial. my role in it has been exceedingly small, however I can say I am proud to have played the part I was invited to be involved with.
On Wednesday morning I stood in Kings Park on the very site where the Memorial will be built, I am not ashamed to say I shed tears because I held in my hands the design of the Memorial, and I held in my heart the lives lost to all of us via the workplace.
I could see and feel the impact of the Memorial and I could understand the depth of importance that the Memorial would bring into all our lives.

There are many aspects of the Memorial design that I was able to discuss with the design team, there were aspects of the concepts that touched me because of the simplicity of the approach taken -tiny things such as receptacles for flowers to be placed into the various pillars, then ripples on the floor indicating the wider impact of workplace death-

Then there is the lesson for all of us who work within the workers compensation and safety industry to learn. And that is the everyone has the right to return home alive and well.

For now I am not willing to debate if legislation is the way to go or if unions have strayed from their core business.
For now I want to simply celebrate the achievement of a truly stunning Memorial that will provide solace to all those who have lost a loved one by showing that we as a Nation have also lost a loved one.

There will be a time and a place where my points of view in regard to legislation can be debated, but not now.
Now I just want to celebrate the achievement of the National Deceased Workers Memorial and invite those who can attend to mark April 28th 2013 into their diaries so that we can all gather at the “Workers Glade” and share each others grief and loss.

Yours in service
Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson
Founder
Work Injured Resource Connection
Adelaide
Founder
Deceased Workers Memorial Forest

Brett, this is harsh and unfair. I have attended several Transport Workers Union safety conferences over the years. Some of these had over 600 attendees in one State and all have been progressive, useful and committed to safety.

I also believe that the TWU and the transport industry generally have been the leaders in workplace fatigue management in Australia.
Unions do care about workplaces but also have other industrial agendas. They must prioritise issues for the greatest effectiveness.

I agree with your point on the slow progress on drug and alcohol testing. I have heard that some industry sectors have identified, through drug and alcohol testing, that 5% of its workforce have come to work impaired. Drugs and alcohol are becoming so pervasive that the need for testing cannot be avoided.

If you believe that unions don’t care about safety, I can understand the accusations in your last paragraph but I don’t believe this is the case and I think that many readers will be able to identify tangible safety improvements in Australian workplaces that would not have occurred but for union involvement.

Unions don’t really care about safety, most unions oppose drug and alcohol testing even though its a major risk to the health and safety of their members.

And lets face it,most unions are merely there to grab cash, cause a ruckuss and get their leaders into labour front benches. The true fights are long gone, they already fought and won them at least two decades ago (admirably for the large part). They now just own property and fund elections.

Regards Di

Even now Adam still relies on knowing that Rosemary will answer his call regardless of the time of day or night.

My point was not to detract from the Trades Hall Memorial in Victoria, or any of the union based memorials around Australia.
Nor to take away the importance of the various memorials to transport workers such as the one in Tarcutta. (yes I have been there with my son)
My point was to highlight that Rosemary works very long hard hours without any of the sponsors that others attract.

As for the TWU and the government not acting to protect transport workers via legislation, my only comment is that if something needs to be fixed, then best fix it.
I am not able to protest on the steps of any Parliament House, however I can write to the various State and Federal ministers to ask them why such an important industry as the transport industry is not covered by legislation.

Finally Ms Carroll if I have offended you, I am sorry, that was not my intent, my intent was to highlight that there is the Deceased Workers Memorial Forest here in Adelaide, it was started by the person who saved my son’s life. And it does acknowledge the lives lost within the transport industry.

Dianne

I never drive to Sydney without stopping at the Tarcutta memorial and paying my respects. I believe Tarcutta is being bypassed. Will the Tarcutta Memorial remain in the same location?

On the more general concerns raised in the current blog comments, not all States acknowledge or record road deaths occuring during work activities as work-related deaths, even though work vehicles have been considered as workplaces for many years in most states. WorkSafe Victoria produced a safe driving guide in 2008 but this was focussed to “employers, fleet managers and drivers with light fleet vehicles”.

This issue will be resolved over the next few years as the Work Health and Safety laws are worked through. The point of contention seems to me to relate to the definitional change that a workplace is wherever work is done. With this definition, any person driving any vehicle as part of their work duties is a worker in an workplace and therefore covered by the OHS laws.

I personally know Rosemary and the wonderful work and memorial that is held annually and we network often .

I am wondering Ms Edgemore, if you know who we are and what we do? Maybe visit our website and find out http://www.transhelpfoundation.com.au Once you understand exactly what we do and who we support, you will understand our view.

Yes I have been to the Trades Hall service in Melbourne and was horrified to find on the occasion I went that of the 250 + that we’re killed that year only one wash recognised and that was because it occurred in a transport yard. All the unions were present except TWU on that occasion and I have not returned. hence my comment above !

A final question Ms Edgemore “I would be interested to know who you represent?”.

Dianne Carroll – OAM
Trans-Help Foundation Ltd
Chief Executive Officer  l AdvDip CouncPsych
P.O Box  141   Tarcutta NSW, 2652  I 69  Centenary Ave, Tarcutta, NSW 2652
Ph: 1300 787 996  I Direct: +61 2 6928 7000

Every year Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson (who was mentioned in the article in todays Canberra Times http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/workers-memorial-welcomed-20120314-1v3sk.html ) the founder of Work Injured Resource Connection ensures that when conducting the memorial tree planting that a tree is planted to represent the loss of life in the transport industry.

May I suggest that instead of being angry that legislation does not reflect support the transport drivers that you connect with Rosemary who is making quite headway without demanding that the TWU support her.

Finally a question to you, “Ms Carroll do you or anyone from Trans Help make the trip to Trades Hall in Melbourne as a mark of respect for the transport workers who have died due to work?”
I mean no disrespect to you Ms Carroll, it is just a question that seems to need answering