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On the corner of Invermay Road and Forster Street there is a small park called Elizabeth Gardens. Named by the Launceston City Council in September 1947, the new park honoured the recent engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
After months of rumours, The Examiner announced on July 11 that the engagement “will give pleasure to the people of the Empire”.
Members of the Invermay Bowling Club, located on the eastern boundary, welcomed the construction.
In a talk on the “Influence of gardens to the Community” at a 50,000 League weekly luncheon, the Superintendent of Reserves, Mr FR Dowse, said that gardens created a happy environment.
He pointed out that Elizabeth Gardens had an influence in improving the appearance of the nearby homes, which in 2018 have all been replaced by businesses.
In August 1948 two rare trees were planted in the gardens as a tribute to Launceston Horticultural Society members William McKenzie and William Williams.
A giant redwood (Sequoia wellingtonia) planted by the president GE Perrin for Mr Williams recognised his 40 years’ membership and contributions as a steward, judge, exhibitor and grower of chrysanthemums, gladioli and hyacinths.
A plaque laid under the tree in January 1994 gave his family a place to remember their father and grandfather after his home at 56 Mayne Street was demolished to make way for the East Tamar Highway Northern Outlet.
Preparations for the Royal visit in 1954 began six years earlier.
Aldermen toured Elizabeth Gardens and other reserves to see the progress made with plantings and structural improvements.
They inspected a fountain in the gardens which is now a garden bed.
The stonework for the fountain was the creation of Mr AR White of Mann Street, Invermay. An Examiner article in November 1951 recorded his 50 years in the business of stonemasonry, the last five with the City Council.
On February 24, 1954, the day of the much-anticipated Royal visit, The Examiner suggested that Victoria Square, commonly known as Windmill Hill, be changed to Elizabeth Square, Hill or Park in honour of our Queen.
The City Council considered the proposal, but the Mayor, Alderman Pitt, pointed out that there was already an Elizabeth Gardens in Invermay Road, so there was no change.
In 2011 a portion of Elizabeth Gardens opened as the Tasmanian Workers’ Memorial Park.
Instigated by Guy Hudson, it is a place to remember loved ones who died at work.
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The Tasmania Workers Memorial Park in Elizabeth Gardens will fall silent this Thursday morning to remember those who have died from work-related injuries.
The memorial event, organised by Unions Tasmania as part of International Worker's Memorial Day, will start at 8am and feature speakers, as well as provide breakfast.
Unions Tasmania Secretary Jessica Munday said the day serves as an important moment to pay respect not only to workers, but also to raise awareness of workplace safety.
"No work deserves to go to work one day, and never come home," she said.
"Workplace injuries can completely ruin your life, and completely change your outlook life, relationships, your community, everything. So, I think we really have to be doing something to make sure people get home safely."
Guy Hudson, who lost his son in an industrial accident, said the day represents an important moment to commemorate the importance of safety at work.
"We need to remember all the workers - and a lot of them aren't in uniform, aren't in unions - but we need to give thanks and remember. If you've got no workers, you've got nothing," he said.
Mr Hudson said that even though he expects several dozen attendees from across the region, it's still an issue that needs to be addressed more openly.
"It's hard to talk to people about it on a lot of levels, but I do think some of our accidents come from complacency," he said.
"We do have this 'she'll be right' attitude. We might not want to spend 20 minutes to down to the shed to get the right gear, and then accidents happen."
Recent data by Safe Work Australia revealed that 52 workers have been fatally injured this year, and 194 workers were fatally injured at work in 2020.
However, Mr Hudson believes that a shift in attitude and responsibility can prevent further tragedies.
"There is no such thing as an accident. Every single mistake has a reason for happening, and they're all preventable."
The memorial event, organised by Unions Tasmania as part of International Worker's Memorial Day, will start at 8am and feature speakers, as well as provide breakfast.
Unions Tasmania Secretary Jessica Munday said the day serves as an important moment to pay respect not only to workers, but also to raise awareness of workplace safety.
"No work deserves to go to work one day, and never come home," she said.
"Workplace injuries can completely ruin your life, and completely change your outlook life, relationships, your community, everything. So, I think we really have to be doing something to make sure people get home safely."
Guy Hudson, who lost his son in an industrial accident, said the day represents an important moment to commemorate the importance of safety at work.
"We need to remember all the workers - and a lot of them aren't in uniform, aren't in unions - but we need to give thanks and remember. If you've got no workers, you've got nothing," he said.
Mr Hudson said that even though he expects several dozen attendees from across the region, it's still an issue that needs to be addressed more openly.
"It's hard to talk to people about it on a lot of levels, but I do think some of our accidents come from complacency," he said.
"We do have this 'she'll be right' attitude. We might not want to spend 20 minutes to down to the shed to get the right gear, and then accidents happen."
Recent data by Safe Work Australia revealed that 52 workers have been fatally injured this year, and 194 workers were fatally injured at work in 2020.
However, Mr Hudson believes that a shift in attitude and responsibility can prevent further tragedies.
"There is no such thing as an accident. Every single mistake has a reason for happening, and they're all preventable."
There are as yet unconfirmed reports that this memorial has received funding in the federal budget to complete the plan envisaged in the original plan. Launceston’s Council has ignored this park and has done nothing beyond keeping the grass mown. Now it seems that the Council wants a slice of the funding for administrative purposes while it gives developers all kinds of help and handouts. People need to asking councillors about all this and because there is a strong smell of something not so nice in the air.
ReplyDeleteThere has been a report to do with $2,000 donated to Launceston’s Council to go towards funding a barbecue at the memorial . After some time the money was returned because the Council was unable to, or unwilling to, spend it for this purpose. So much for the then mayor turning for a photo opportunity when the memorial was ‘opened’ . Thank you GL for the heads up!
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