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Memorial Quilt Hones In On Safety Message

A Memorial Quilt created by families and individuals throughout Victoria who are bereaved due to a workplace death is currently on display in the foyer of Council’s Traralgon Service Centre.

By news@gippsland - 25th May 2004 - Back to News

The Memorial Quilt is a Uniting Church initiative sponsored by Worksafe and is in the custodianship of Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Inc. (GARDS) whilst it is on display throughout Latrobe. The Quilt has already been hung at the Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony in Morwell and at the Uniting Church Newborough and will remain on show in the foyer of Council’s Service Centre in Traralgon until Friday 28 May.

GARDS Secretary Vicki Hamilton said that each square in the quilt is dedicated to a loved one who died from work related causes such as asbestos related deaths, workplace bullying or stress-related heart attacks.

"Behind each square in the Memorial Quilt is a tremendous amount of suffering and grief that has been experienced by wives, husbands, parents, children and friends," Mrs Hamilton explained.

"The quilt is dedicated to all people, young and old, who have died as a result of incidents in their workplace and it should serve as a reminder to us all of the need to be vigilant about workplace safety."

Latrobe City Mayor Councillor Darrell White said displaying the Memorial Quilt increased public awareness concerning work-related deaths. "The tragedy of work related deaths is that there is absolutely no need for them to have occurred," Cr White said.

"The squares of remembrance displayed in the quilt all tell a story of the terrible effects that irresponsibility in the work place can have. One of the tragedies revealed through the messages in this quilt is the high incidence of young people whose lives have been unnecessarily curtailed."

Mrs Hamilton said the Creative Ministries Network (CMN) invited individuals and family members who are bereaved because of a work-related death to create and contribute their own square of remembrance for the Memorial Quilt.

"Each square is 21cm by 21cm and is designed by the individual. Messages can be sewn in or painted onto fabric, personal effects such as a tie or badge can be included and even photographic images can be applied to the fabric. There is complete freedom of choice for those putting together the individual squares," Mrs Hamilton said.

Latrobe City’s Manager Occupational Health and Safety, Ray Tunks, said that the quilt promoted the need to guarantee health and safety in the workplace.

"It’s a stunning reminder that workplace safety needs to be the number one objective of employers and employees alike. The consequences of not giving workplace safety the highest priority are convincingly highlighted in this evocative and tragic memorial," Mr Tunks said.

Manager Community Safety, Henk Harberts, said Latrobe City embraced the safety lessons nurtured in the memorial quilt and Council was pleased to offer one of its venues to display the work. "The memorial quilt helps emphasise and promote one of the many aspects of safety we need to keep in mind in our community. As a result it contributes to maintaining and furthering Latrobe City’s proactive stance as an accredited World Health Organisation (WHO) Safe Community," Mr Harberts said.

For more details about contributing to the Memorial Quilt, contact GARDS Secretary, Vicki Hamilton, telephone 5128 1218.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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