This was the message from Portland Tidy Town's who have spent the past six years on a huge project for the town.

On April 3, the members of Portland Tidy Town will be proud to unveil a memorial wall for those who died working in the Old Cement Works.

Two years ago, Portland Tidy Town's secretary Kaylin Caddis began research with two other members about the men who used to work in the Old Cement Works.

"It has been 50 years and I never knew half of the information until I started researching what happened at the site," she said.

The women worked tirelessly finding articles online at the local library and in old Lithgow Mercury newspapers.

"It is sad and horrible to read but we put all the information we gathered together and turned it into a book, because a lot of the men who passed away have families that still live here," she said.

"The cement works were the centre of town and men worked there for many years."

The book titled 'Portland's Past- Insight into those lost in the cement works' was launched in 2016 and will be on sale at the opening of the Memorial Wall.

Kaylin Caddis said you would only have to read two of the articles on the death of the men at the cement works to have your perception of Work, Healthy and Safety changed.

"It is very hard to read but it's our history and not all history is good," she said.

"We don't want these men to be forgotten."

Ms Caddis said she has always been interested in local history and thought this deserved to be recorded.

"We are making sure we don't miss anyone, and have over 40 names going on the wall," she said.

Ms Caddis said they had spent some time choosing the best spot for the wall, having different locations being brought up as options.

READ MORE:

"It is now on the grounds of the former cement works, with The Foundations doing all they can to make it safe," she said.

"It is now in the perfect spot."

While the plaques aren't attached to the wall yet, they will be doing that as close to the opening as possible.

The wall was constructed with the help of many Portland locals. Ted Caddis helped in the construction of the wall, Bob Staff helped get it up to scratch, Shane Green laid the slab, Mitch Flynn bricked up the wall and local nursery owner Stuart McGee did the planting of the earns.

"Local people did all the work and have been marvellous," she said.

Ms Caddis said she was 'grateful for the Foundations help and support during this project'.

"We couldn't have asked for anything better," she said.

Ms Kaddis said that everyone who has lived in Portland a long time has lost someone, whether that be fathers, husbands, sons.

"This is really important for Portland's history," she said.

The opening will take place next to The Charlie Pinch Museum on Williwa Street on Saturday, April 3 at 2.30 followed by afternoon tea in 'The Boiler Room' on the original cement works site.

Tours of the cement works will be available, and the Glen and Charlie Pinch Museum will be open, and the Twilight Markets will also be running.