The annual ceremony in memory of the 1887 Bulli Mine Disaster on March 23 has been cancelled.
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It follows a decision by St Augustine's Anglican Church, Bulli that public gatherings such as the commemoration should not go ahead because of risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
"They are very disappointed to have to make this decision, however, these are extraordinary times we now face," Illawarra Branch of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) secretary Graham Pryor said.
The commemoration service was to take place at 1.30pm on March 23 and was being organised by Kerrie Anne Christian who is president and curator of the Black Diamond Heritage Centre, Bulli which is also being closed as a precaution until mid April.
Each year the event remembers 81 men and boys who were killed in 1887 when a gas explosion propagated a coal dust explosion.
Most lost their lives due to the poisonous carbon monoxide gas generated as a result of the explosion.
There is a memorial monument near Bulli Anglican church where names of the victims are listed on the memorial monument in gold lettering.
The Miners' Trust funded the $5,000 cost of the work.
It also paid for a recent reprint of a booklet titled the "Old Bulli Colliery Disaster" which can be purchased at both Destination Wollongong outlets for $2 per copy.
Additional information is also available as the Illawarra Heritage Trail website:
Read more:
- Memorial service remembers the 81 men and boys killed in the Bulli mine disaster
- How the impact of the Bulli Mining Disaster not only lasted decades but generations: VIDEO
- What happened tragic day of Mt Kembla Mine disaster
- Commemorative service to remember lives lost in Bulli Mine disaster
- Bulli mine disaster 130 years on: stay vigilant on safety, speakers urge
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
