A service of remembrance has taken place for the 96 men and boys who lost their lives in the Mount Kembla mine disaster in 1902.
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An estimated crowd of about a hundred people, including representatives from South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal and the community attended the '96 Candles memorial service' on Friday evening.
The event, which took place at Windy Gully Cemetery, Mount Kembla, marked the 118th anniversary of the disaster.
General manager of South32's Dendrobium Mine Neville McAlary addressed Friday's service, along with Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, Member for Wollongong Paul Scully and Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird.
A candle was lit for each of the victims, and author Wendy Richardson read her poem about the disaster, Windy Gully.
The service concluded with a minute's silence and a lament by a lone piper from the Illawarra Pipe Band.
"The Mount Kembla mine disaster devastated the local community and deeply affected the entire Illawarra region," South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal vice president operations Wayne Bull said.
"This is a time to reflect and remember those who lost their lives."
Attendees on the night were asked to be mindful of social distancing.
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