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The Mount Kembla mine explosions in 1902 remains Australia's worst peacetime disaster.
This Friday, July 31, marks the 113th anniversary of the disaster, which not only killed 96 men and boys but changed forever the lives of the wives, children and friends that they left behind.
Once again Mount Kembla Mining Heritage Inc has organised a number of events to commemorate the anniversary.
On Friday they will hold the 96 Candles Ceremony, at Windy Gully Cemetery from 6.30pm.
This year it will focus on the families of the disaster victims and the community which sent its sons to serve in World War I just 12 years after the accident - 2015 also marks the 100th anniversary of the death of four of those soldiers.
Mount Kembla Mining Heritage Inc chairwoman Elizabeth Roberts said although it promised to be a chilly evening, more than 200 people were expected to turn out, all rugged up, to remember the 96 lost miners by lighting a candle for each.
"We're looking forward to hearing the Illawarra Union Singers and the Zlatkos Balkan Cabaret perform mining songs," Mrs Roberts said.
"It's always thrilling to listen in the night stillness, to the echoes around the hills of the bagpipe music performed by a piper from the Illawarra Pipe Band."
Commemoration events continue on Saturday at the Mount Kembla Bowling Club which will be raising funds for breast cancer research.
On Sunday, Mount Kembla Public School hosts its heritage fair and family picnic day while a memorial service takes place at the Soldiers and Miners' Memorial Church, a service held continuously since 1902.
Information: Mount Kembla Heritage Centre on Facebook