City of Melbourne unveils plan for workers’ memorial

The City of Melbourne has sought expressions of interest for a new workers' memorial to honour those who have lost their lives on the job.

The initiative has been commissioned by the council in collaboration with the Victorian Trades Hall and the Victorian Government.

Since 2018, more than 450 workers have died on the job in Victoria, and Lord Mayor Nick Reece said it was important to recognise the ongoing impacts to the community caused by workplace fatalities.

“Every single case is a human tragedy,” Cr Reece said. “This memorial will pay tribute to the thousands of workers' lives lost in our state and be a place of respect and reflection for families and loved ones.”

The new memorial will be located at the The Eight Hour Monument Reserve at the corner of Victoria and Russell streets, which is home to the existing monument celebrating Victoria's leading role in establishing the eight-hour workday in 1908.

It will stand opposite the Victorian Trades Hall Council building, where unions have fought for workplace safety for more than 150 years.

Victorian Trades Hall Secretary Luke Hilakari told Inner City News that the construction of the new monument would be essential in helping raise greater awareness of workers' safety.

“Every worker should come home safely. Tragically, on average more than 60 workers each year are killed on the job,” Mr Hilakari said.

“Memorials like this are not only a place where families, workmates, and friends can remember loved ones killed on the job, but they're also a reminder for all of us to do better.”

Expressions of interest closed on September 30, with shortlisted teams to develop their concept designs in consultation with a project working group and stakeholders between November 2024 and January 2025.