The fifth commemoration of the Pike disaster was a moving event.

While there was anger at the government paring back the health and safety legislation, and anger at the failure to recover the bodies, there was knowledge that the families have achieved some change, with the health and safety act a big improvement especially in the mining area.

Helen Kelly’s speech resonated as did the presence of two forestry worker wives.

Bernie Monk felt, that despite some dissension, the Pike Memorial Walk will provide a tribute to those lost and be great for Blackball and the region as a whole.