The Hunter mining community will gather at the Jim Comerford Memorial Wall this Sunday for the Mining and Energy Union’s 29th Annual Memorial Day Service, honouring those who have lost their lives in coal mining fatalities across the Northern District Coalfields.
This year’s service carries particular significance following the death of United Wambo mineworker Paul Phillips, who was fatally injured at work on 3 August. His death is the latest tragedy in a history represented by the 1,794 names now recorded on the memorial wall, spanning more than two centuries of coal mining in the region.
Mineworkers and their families, families who have lost loved ones in the industry, union members and representatives, mining industry representatives, and local, state and federal political representatives are expected to attend, along with members of the wider community.
MEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams said Memorial Day remained a deeply important tradition for the Hunter’s mining communities.
“Behind every name on this wall is a person who went to work and never came home, and a family and community who had to live with that loss,” Mr Williams said.
The service will feature longstanding commemorative traditions, including the Mineworkers’ Pipe Band leading the ceremony, the miners’ safety lamp, wreath laying by families and representatives from across the mining community, and floral tributes lining the black granite memorial wall, which has served as a place of remembrance for Hunter mining families for 30 years.
