Blacktown City Council marked the International Day of Mourning with a solemn ceremony at Blacktown Showground.
Council commemorates the occasion each year on 28 April, where countries around the world pause and reflect on workers who have been killed or injured in the line of work.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM hosted the ceremony with guest speaker Patrizia Cassaniti, Founder and Director of the Touched by Christopher Foundation, Members of Parliament, Councillors, union leaders, employers and workers.
“The latest figures from Safework Australia tell us that 194 men and women were killed at work in the year 2020,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“These figures are truly harrowing and unacceptable. They show us that we must do more to protect workers on the job.
“We must not be content until we reach zero – zero deaths and zero injuries at workplaces across Australia.”
Patrizia Cassaniti spoke of the tragic loss of her son at just 18 years of age on a building site.
A young apprentice, Christopher was crushed under rubble when a 17-metre scaffolding tower collapsed.
In honour of her son, Patrizia is a tireless advocate for workplace safety, devoting her life to improving safety at worksites.
The Touched by Christopher Foundation provides immediate help to families after losing a loved one on a construction site.
Mayor Bleasdale said, “It is tragic stories such as this that remind us that we must all work harder to ensure that our workers return home to their families, each and every day.
“It is time to ensure that safety remains one of the highest priorities within our workplaces.
“It’s up to all of us, governments, unions, employers and individual workers, to be vigilant and look after our mates.
“We must all work harder to ensure that our workers return home to their families… each and every day.”
A memorial walk and wreath laying were held after the ceremony at Council’s memorial sculpture.
Photo: Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM (right) with Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti from the Touched by Christopher Foundation at Council’s International Day of Mourning ceremony.
