Victorians who have tragically lost their lives at level crossings will be forever remembered at a dedicated memorial unveiled today.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten, Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman and local resident and advocate Dianne Dejanovic, to unveil the memorial at the new St Albans train station.
The memorial serves as a lasting tribute to those who have lost their lives, and a reminder of why it is so important to get rid of dangerous level crossings.
The memorial is part of a garden at the entrance of St Albans Station with a plaque stating In memory of all those who have lost their lives at level crossings across Victoria. Forever in our thoughts.
The garden and memorial will now serve as a permanent place for Victorians to remember loved ones and leave floral tributes.
Before the dangerous Main Road, St Albans level crossing was removed in 2016, it was one of Melbourne’s worst, with two fatalities and dozens of near-misses in the past decade alone.
Dianne Dejanovic, who lost her son Christian at the level crossing in 2012, has long campaigned for its removal.
Christian Dejanovic was killed in 2012 when he ran across the tracks to save a young girl. He was posthumously awarded a Bravery Medal by the Governor General earlier this year.
Over the past decade 20 people have lost their lives at the 50 dangerous level crossings the Labor Government is removing, with 60 collisions and approximately 680 near-misses.
The removal of the dangerous level crossings at Main and Furlong roads in St Albans last year was part of a package of works that also included the removal of the Blackburn and Heatherdale Road level crossings.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Too many Victorians have lost their lives at level crossings just like this one - today we pause to remember them and their loved ones.”
“The dedicated memorial will also serve as a reminder of the work ahead of us – ridding our state of these dangerous relics of the past and ensuring every Victorian makes it home safely to their loved ones.”
Quote attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
“We’ve worked closely with the local community who felt strongly about a memorial, particularly families affected by the loss of a loved one. This is a respectful place where people can remember their loved ones.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020