Northparkes Airblast Losses Remembered, 24 November 2009

Official Rio Tinto - Sumitomo Press Release

Northparkes remembers 10th anniversary of air blast - 27 Nov, 2009 11:19 AM

More than 200 people attended a special private memorial service at Northparkes Mines on Tuesday – the 10th anniversary of the tragic accident which claimed four lives.

Northparkes invited the families, friends, past and current colleagues of the four men who were fatally injured in an air blast on 24 November 1999 – Ross Bodkin, Michael House, Colin Lloyd-Jones and Stuart Osman – for a service to acknowledge and reflect on the tragedy.

The service commenced at 11am by welcoming the families and distinguished guests to the mine.

Craig Stegman, General Manager of Northparkes then spoke about why it was important to acknowledge the day, focussing on the learnings that will ensure that the deaths of Ross, Michael, Colin and Stuart were not in vain – and that such an event should never occur in the mining industry again.

Attendees were invited to stand for a minute’s silence in memory and deep respect for the men.

Each of the families addressed the gathering of 200 people and shared their memories of the four men in a very moving reminder of the impact that the event has had on their lives over the last 10 years.

Rob Cunningham was elected by his peers to speak on behalf of the staff who were working underground the day of the air blast.

His speech touched on the images that have stuck with him about the incident and the importance of remembering the four men who lost their lives.

Rob speech concluded with a poem, which had been published in the mines newsletter two weeks after the incident, which touched the hearts of all attending the service.

Representatives from Joint Venture Partners David Peever, Managing Director Rio Tinto, Yu Yamato Deputy Managing Director Sumitomo, Ken Keith Mayor Parkes Shire Council, Craig Stegman General Manager Northparkes, Kerrie Edwards, Environment Safety Health Community & Farming Manager, Northparkes, Natalie Simpson and Marcus Morrison,

Northparkes employees and the families laid a wreath on the memorial rock at the underground portal.

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The 'Bush Poem'

IN MEMORY OF ROSS, MICHAEL, OSSIE & COLIN

We look out on a morning to a bird on a cloud
To a family awakening and a child's cry aloud.
We wonder in silence about what lies ahead.
Of spirit and purpose and things left unsaid.

We know not all paths our loved ones pursue,
We accept that their judgement is correct and is true,
Yet a sign on a hill lights a thought that I had,
Of some children awaiting the return of their Dad.

And as I travel the road down the track to my home,
I think of those blokes down under alone.
I think of their wives and their voices that sound,
Like tunneling echoes from deep underground.

We all knew them well; we accept their ultimate fate,
But time has knocked early for those blokes, our mates.
And those left behind, let's make them all proud,
Let's search every sunset for that bird on the cloud.