At 5.50pm this Sunday 13 October the annual Miners Memorial Day will commence at Collinsville Workers Club but this year it is even more special to the Collinsville and Whitsunday community.
This year marks the 70th year since seven miners lost their lives in the state mine in Collinsville.
The disaster was a Carbon Dioxide CO2 gas outburst and happened at 5:50pm at the Collinsville State mine on 13 October 1954.
The gas outburst was later said to be 98% CO2 and the seven men died from asphyxiation.
The seven Collinsville men who died were Alex Parkinson, Peter Miller, Henry Petersen, Frederick Ernest Walker, James Reid Logan, Arthur Shrubsole and Herbert Ruff.
Two other men, Robert Munro and J. A. Baker were severely affected by the CO2 outburst and were taken to hospital to make a recovery.
The mining disaster has affected all miners and the broader Collinsville community for generations.
Even today, people who have since moved away from Collinsville often return specifically to be part of the Memorial Day.
President of the Memorial Committee Brett Murphy said for the first time this year they will also be honouring the two horses that passed in the mine during the disaster.
“This year we will be having for the first time a plaque for the two horses that died down there that day,” explained Brett.
“It was always about the men, but we've decided that the horses needed to be on the wall as well.”
The plaques will be unveiled by one of the horse handlers.
Brett also said that Memorial Day is always important to past and present miners, due to the closeness and relationships you develop in the mines.
“Underground workers form a family very quickly when they're working underground, and I believe that that's because of the danger, and you've got to look after each other,” said Brett.
“Basically, you really need to be looking after each other and be like family.
“And when someone from your family dies, and especially if it's seven people out of your family die on the one day, you can imagine how they felt.”
What: Miners Memorial Day
Where: Collinsville Workers Club
When: Sunday 13 October, 5:50pm start
The community marched to pay their respects following the Collinsville State mine disaster which claimed the lives of seven men on 13 October 1954
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