**Timber Workers Memorial** The memorial is situated in Wellings Park, bounded by Stanley Street and Mitchell Street, a short distance south from Eden town centre. Google map It incorporates a life sized statue of a timber worker (by sculptor Rix Wright)giving assistance to his injured mate, symbolising the mateship and compassion of our bush workers, together with a memorial wall on which the fatally injured workers are honoured by individual brass plaques. Four bas reliefs which depict the work practices of the timber industry are also incorporated in the wall. The pergolas and entrance have been constucted from timbers from the old Tarraganda Bridge near Bega as well as bridge timber from Victoria. Written information about the Eden district timber industry is displayed on six bollards within the central circle of the site. Another bollard shows a poem by Mrs. Gillian Munday, whose son was fatally injured in the bush. The timber industry is perhaps one of the oldest continuous forms of employment in Australia with the harvesting of our forests to provide shelter, furniture, land and livestock fencing starting from the time of first settlement. While the risks inherent in this industry may have been greatly reduced since we moved into the computer age from that of axe, saw, bullock team and steam train, our timber workers still must always be alert to everpresent danger. The establishent of this Memorial to commemorate the many timber workers fatally injured throughout Australia has been made possible by the commitment and support of the local community and businesses as well as the families of the workers killed, together with funding from the Australian Government. Details of those remembered on this memorial can be found at the community walk Timber Workers Memorial. Although situated on the Princes Highway there is ample parking in Stanley Street beside the park.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:20:57 +0000
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