May 16, 2025
A long-distance road cycle race in Western Australia sponsored by our Union for over 80 years has been held for the last time.
The 82nd Tom Lowry Memorial Race – named for a former miner’ union leader – was held on 3 May. The race has been sponsored by the WA miners’ union every year since 1942. The 102-kilometre bike road starts at the Collie Motorplex, which was built on the site of a disused underground mining complex.
This year, the winner was Hayden James who completed the course in two hours and six minutes.
Multiple factors caused organisers to decide this year’s event would be the last, including lack of volunteers and cost and challenge of traffic management.
WA District President Greg Busson said it was sad the event was coming to an end, but the Mining and Energy Union has been extremely proud to sponsor and be associated with the event over eight decades.
“This has been a fantastic event, starting from the Collie coalfields and showcasing a beautiful part of the state. We thank all the organisers, participants and volunteers over many years who have made it such a success.”
The event started the year after the death of Tom Lowry, who was a Collie coal miner and General Secretary of the Collie Miners Union from 1933 until his death in 1941. He represented the Miners’ Union on the WA state executive. In a tribute to Tom Lowry on his death, the ALP President of the time said: “Tom Lowry possessed a very kindly heart. His sole purpose in life had been the betterment of the living conditions of the people. He was a great secretary of the Collie Miners’ Union, (and) a wonderful friend of the people of Collie.”
