This year’s Miners Memorial Day Service was held in Collinsville and paid tribute to the 1,509 miners who have tragically lost their lives across Queensland.

Hosted by Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ), the ceremony was held at the Collinsville-Scottville Workers Club in the Whitsundays to commemorate not only those who have fallen in years gone by, but also those lost this year, Luke O’Brien, Chris Schloss and John Linwood.

A poignant photo montage showcased the invaluable contributions miners have made throughout Queensland’s history. From the earliest days of the industry to today, mining has shaped the lives of thousands, leaving a deep legacy across towns like Collinsville and beyond.

Mayor of the Isaac Region, Kelly Vea Vea, reflected on this connection, noting how children in Collinsville grow up playing on streets named after men who went to work and never returned home. It’s a powerful reminder that mining communities are built on resilience and remembrance, with each loss profoundly felt by families, colleagues and towns alike.

Denise Hall, a long-time member of the Collinsville community also spoke at the memorial. Denise’s connection to the mining industry runs generations deep with her husband, father, grandfather, uncles and cousins all having worked as coal miners. She delivered a heartfelt prayer, reflecting the pride and sorrow shared by mining families.

“We pause to give credit to the life, love and spirit of each of these miners.”

Denise’s words resonated with many in the crowd, honouring both the history and the continuing legacy of the miners who have supported their families despite the risks.

This years’ service held extra significance, marking the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Collinsville disaster, which claimed the lives of seven miners and two pit ponies.

The tragic event, a result of carbon dioxide exposure in tunnel number one, followed a contentious push towards mechanisation despite miners’ warnings.

Kelly Vea Vea spoke of the disaster’s lasting impact, emphasising that safety in mining can never be taken for granted.

“For us in the Bowen Basin, we’re still living through tragedy after tragedy. It feels like something is fundamentally broken and we’re unsure how many more lives will be lost to fix it.”

The memorial was a stark reminder that behind every statistic is a life cut short, a family devastated, and a community left to bear the weight of loss.

The service brought together people from across the industry, including workers, union representatives and government officials, united in their commitment to safety and remembering those no longer with us.

As Queensland continues to strive for a safer mining sector, Rob Djukic, CEO of Resources Safety & Health Queensland, reaffirmed their dedication.

“We’ve lost three workers this year, which simply isn’t good enough. Our thoughts are with their families, and we are committed to full investigations to prevent future tragedies.”

In Collinsville, and in towns just like it, the scars of mining run deep, but so too does the resolve to remember, to fight for safety, and to honour the memories of those who never made it home.

Only a couple weeks after the memorial the QLD mining community was shocked and saddened when tragedy struck at Glencore’s Oaky Creek Coal Mine where one worker has died and another is in stable condition. Resources Safety & Health Queensland is investigating the incident, but it is too early to detail what has occurred. The Mining & Energy Union check inspectors are attending the site and Queensland District President Mitch Hughes described the incident as devastating with workers across the industry still coming to terms with the recent fatalities at the Byerwen mine. “We will leave no stone unturned in uncovering what has gone wrong,” Mitch said. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to families, friends and workmates of the deceased worker.”