Mining memorial unveiled

By Liam Mitchell

WOLLONGONG -- A memorial to pay tribute to the courage, struggle and sacrifice by coalminers in the Illawarra region was unveiled by the NSW Premier Bob Carr on July 28, outside the City Council building here.

The sculpture, by Wollongong artist Liz Johnson, recognises the role of the mining community, particularly the workers, and the gains they have made through struggle.

Retired mine worker Fred Kirkwood recalled the conditions faced by workers and their families in the early part of this century and said that many of the conditions workers take for granted today had to be won through many years of struggle.

The statue, set on and against a backdrop of a large boulder of coal, depicts a late 20th century miner lending a helping hand to an early miner in a pair of trousers, a cloth cap and with bare feet and a pick.

The memorial is only the second to workers in Australia, the other being to the wharfies at Port Adelaide.

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