Poem for Lee Alexander – ‘one hell of a guy’
CFMEU SA member Lee Alexander was killed on-site at Glenelg on April 10, 2002.
He was just 26 years old at the time, in his first year as a CFMEU site delegate, with a bright future ahead of him. But his life was cut short by a falling load from a crane on the hotel job being built by Baulderstone.
The site was shut down for about a week after the incident, while a number of safety issues were investigated.
Part of the agreement that came out of that, CFMEU SA Secretary Aaron Cartledge explains, was that Baulderstone would work with the Council to put up a permanent Memorial Plaque to Lee at the Pier Hotel. Lee’s family contributed the words, remembering Lee’s dedication to the Union, and a short poem.
“Every year since, on April 10, union members and officials gather at the plaque in the hotel’s rose garden, to reflect on the moment of Lee’s passing and safety in the industry,” says Aaron.
“Lee’s family and widow also go down there and leave flowers. It’s a special place for his daughter to know where her dad died, and to recognise the costs of this industry.”
Shortly after Lee was killed the well-known poem appeared, “I chose to look the other way …” by Don Merrell*, which the contractor, Baulderstone, made up into a poster they hang up on their sites.
CFMEU members marked the 10th Anniversary of Lee’s death this year with another poem from one of his mates, Mark Kempster.
Follow the link to download Mark Kempster’s Poem for Lee Alexander -:
We remember Lee Alexander
The mischievous gleam in his eye
The magic in the smile
One hell of a guy
Lee would be proud to know
His life was not lost in vain
The industry has made changes
To help our Sons and Daughters come home once again.
*For safety poems by Don Merrell go to: Safety Poems by Don Merrell
