Today, a memorial service was held in Greymouth for the 29 miners killed in the Pike River Coal Mine. The bodies are still in the mine so families cannot hold funerals but instead this was a service to remember and honour all 29 men. The service was held outdoors at the race course, and about 10,000 people attended. A special train travelled from Christchurch this morning to Greymouth and many people flew in by plane from other parts of New Zealand.
There were 29 tables in front of the grandstands. Families decorated the tables with ferns from the forest and photos, treasures and other things that were precious to their family member who died. There were miner’s helmets, football boots, wedding photos and other reminders of each man.
Each of the people who attended wore a yellow ribbon to remind them of the early hope that these men would be found alive. They were also given a small fern from the forest which is around the coal mine.
The speakers at the service included the Prime Minister, the Governor-General, the mayor of Greymouth, and the CEO of the Pike River Mine who has been in constant contact with the families every day since that terrible day nearly two weeks ago. The Prime Minister spoke especially to the families who had lost a husband and father because he too lost his father when he was young.
“I was such a child. I know that the absence of a parent is a heaviness you learn to carry in your own way. It is a terrible thing to happen. But it doesn’t mean your children will not go on to live happy, worthwhile and fulfilling lives.”
There were poems, songs, music, speeches and a haka. Meanwhile throughout New Zealand, people stopped work at 2pm for two minutes silence to remember these 29 men.
Questions
1. This was a very sad occasion. Do you think it would have helped the families?
2. In your culture, what kind of ceremony do you have to remember people who died?
3. Do you think there should be a permanent memorial built in Greymouth to remember these men?