HILLCREST LUMBER COMPANY LTD.
EMPLOYEES REUNION NEWSLETTER - THE LAST WHISTLE
The Cowichan Lake Forest Cooperative has undertaken the construction of the Forest Workers Memorial Park in the town of Lake Cowichan. Major funds were provided by a Legacy Grant from Island Savings Credit Union. Other funds came from the Town of Lake Cowichan, IWA Local 1-80, WorkSafe B.C., Dorman Timber Ltd., Weyerhaeuser, Catalyst Paper, Lake Cowichan District Credit Union, New Landscapes, TimberWest Forest Corp and the Cowichan Lake Community Forest Coop. The park, in the centre of the Town of Lake Cowichan, is in honour of the workers in the forest industry who helped pioneer and develop the communities around the Lake.
FOREST WORKERS MEMORIAL PARK .
For those who wish to support this memorial, we offer the opportunity for individuals, families, social groups, businesses and industrial enterprises to purchase a memorial brick which can be inscribed with personal names, company names or a message. A donation of $100.00 ensures that your brick will be mounted surrounding the park's fountain. Special bricks are inscribed for those who lost their lives while on the job. Brick forms are available at the Forest Cooperative office, Town office, or the Visitor Centre. All money raised from the sale of bricks will be used to purchase amenities for the park. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Saturday, May 19th, 2007 during Heritage Days
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The Hillcrest Lumber Company Employees Reunion group along with the Stone family have a strong sense of community, having raised and donated money to the Kaatza Museum as well as to the Forest Workers Memorial Park. Above is an article in the local newspaper and a thank you note from Lorne Scheffer Director Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-operative Board.
By Cec Ashley
A number of former Hillcrest employees attended The Forest Workers Memorial Park on Sat. April 28, 2012 to remember the workers who were killed and injured in the workplace and on the job over the years. Many of us who worked in the mills and woods over the years have seen accidents and fatalities to friends and fellow workers. I was almost killed while setting chokers in the woods and had to be rushed to the hospital unconscious. After this I quit the woods and went into the mills, where I thought it was safer, but still I saw accidents happen. In 1935 my uncle whom I was named after was crushed while working at Sidney Sawmill on Vancouver Island B.C. He eventually passed away in hospital due to his chest injuries. I saw my son lose part of his index finger due to a work place injury. I am very grateful that after 47 years working in the woods and mills I came out alive and unscathed.
From left: Ed Pawlik, Don Gordon, Al Lundgren and Cec Ashley
This rockery fountain stands in the middle of the Memorial Park surrounded by hundreds of memorial bricks that families have bought in memory of loved ones.
Below is the brick we donated to the Park in memory of our 2007 reunion.
