Hundreds set to remember Strongman Mine disaster 50 years ago

The Strongman Mine disaster memorial in the Karoro cemetery in Greymouth. Photo / File

More than 200 people have already registered for the 50th anniversary commemorations of the Strongman Mine disaster next month.

Organising committee chairwoman, Rose Green, said registrations had come from as far afield as Australia and more were expected.

Nineteen men were killed in the explosion at the mine near Runanga on January 19, 1967.

After 15 bodies were recovered on the day of the explosion, it took another three weeks to retrieve two more. The last two men could not be recovered and the tunnel was sealed.

Five men involved in the rescue received the British Empire Medal for their bravery.

An inquiry into the disaster concluded that at least two mining regulations had been broken and the government was ordered to pay compensation to the families of the victims.

Green said the event was about bringing the community together to remember those lost, celebrate their lives and honour the bravery of those who went into the mine to bring the bodies out.

"In another 50 years there's going to be no one left who was there on the day - miners, rescuers, widows, family members."

Her father worked at Strongman but was on a later shift that day.

"I was only 5 but I still remember it. I was playing with my neighbour and she said, 'My uncle's been killed in the mine' but I didn't have a clue what it meant.

"I didn't even realise that dad could have been there at the time and we carried on playing. It was only later on when I found out everything else."

Green said events planned for the January 19-21 commemorations included a service at Karoro cemetery to take place at 10.15am on the 19th (the exact time of the explosion) and a function at the Runanga Workingmen's Club the following evening.

She said those registered would be bused up to the mine site on January 21 for a memorial and a wreath-laying ceremony. After that there would be a sports day at the club.

Former miner Brian Coghlan, who lost his father Laurie in the Strongman disaster, said it was fitting that sporting events would be held in a such a competitive sporting town including the reintroduction of the Mine Station Run between Rewanui and Dunollie.

"The race was run from the Rewanui railway station down to the Dunollie station, but it stopped in the mid-1970s," Coghlan said.

"Harry Bell holds the record still after taking it off Harry van Looey."

Coal shovelling and chopping will also be on the programme, and possibly a relay of the various events.

Green, who lost her own husband in a mining accident, said it had been very humbling speaking with those attending, including those who had been boys at the time and had lost their fathers.

Another member of the organising committee had been a mine rescuer, she said.

"He was just a young fellow at the time, his stories and his inputs have been invaluable."

The committee wants to close off registrations at the end of December so buses and catering can be organised. Registrations, which cost $15, can be made by calling the Runanga Workingmen's Club on 03 762 7854 or emailing: runangaclub@xtra.co.nz

Westport News and Greymouth Star