Bendigo father killed in fatal Bridgewater workplace incident: ‘No words or feelings can describe the grief’

The family of a Bendigo father killed in a workplace incident on Monday have paid tribute to a man who would walk into a room full of strangers, and leave with 20 friends.

Bendigo father Harley Muir died in a workplace incident at the Hay Australia Bridgewater plant on Monday Feburary 1, 2021. Picture: Facebook

His loved ones will remember Bendigo father Harley Muir as a man who would walk into a room full of strangers, and leave with 20 friends.

On Monday, two weeks after his 29th birthday, Harley was killed onsite at work at the Hay Australia Bridgewater plant .

The details of the incident are still under investigation.

Georgia Bateson said her brother was a “shooting star” who could light up a room simply by walking into it.

Emergency services were called to the Calder Highway industrial site after reports of a worksite injury at 12.30pm, February 1.

Paramedics attended the incident, but Mr Muir died at the scene.

Ms Bateson said she had seen the reports of the fatal workplace incident and began desperately started calling her brother’s phone, but it kept ringing out.

The Bendigo Hospital cleaner could hear the helicopters and ambulance race out of the hospital, and feared they were for her brother.

Tragically, they were.

“No one deserves to go like that,” Ms Bateson said.

Ms Bateson said her oldest brother’s death had robbed her of a lifelong friend and protector, as he had helped raise her and her two brothers.

“I’ve lost a brother and a father,” she said.

“He was my best friend.

“If something happened in your life, he was there.

“He was holding my hand while my son was born.”

Bendigo father Harley Muir died in a workplace incident at the Hay Australia Bridgewater plant on Monday February 1, 2021. Picture: Facebook

Aside from darts and football, Ms Bateson said the one true passion in her brother’s life was caring for his loved ones.

“Harley would do anything for his family and friends,” Ms Bateson said.

“All he did was work and look after his kids.”

She said her brother and his partner had a blended family, and so had 13 children under his care.

“He would go to the end of the world and drop everything for anyone,” she said.

“He left a big hole in everyone’s heart.”

Ms Bateson said her brother would brighten a room just by walking through the doors with a laugh and a smile.

“Harley was the light of the party and no matter where or what he did he would always stop for a chat and see if you were OK,” she said.

“He could made anyone laugh.

“Wherever he went there was a smile.”

Ms Bateson said her family, his children and partner and friends were “left without our ‘Big H’”.

Bendigo father Harley Muir died in a workplace incident at the Hay Australia Bridgewater plant on Monday February 1, 2021. Picture: Go Fund Me

The Marong Football Netball Club and Bendigo Dart League both also paid tribute to Harley Muir, and extended their sympathies to his family.

The dart league will hold a minute’s silence for Mr Muir as well as John Bergman, who died in a crash on Saturday, before the game on Thursday.

Hay Australia shut down the site during the WorkSafe investigation into Mr Muir’s death.

“He was an experienced and highly valued member of our team and our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with his family, loved ones and colleagues,” a Hay Australia spokeswoman said.

“We are doing everything we can to provide them with support at this very difficult time.”

On Wednesday WorkSafe Victoria released the first of their findings into Mr Muir’s death at the hay bale exporter.

“It‘s believed the 29-year-old man suffered fatal injuries when he became entangled in machinery just before 12:30pm on Monday,” the statement said.

WorkSafe Victoria said this was the first workplace fatality for 2021, 10 less than at the same time last year.

Ms Bateson has set up a Go Fund Me to $10,000 to help her family pay for her brother’s funeral.

“Nothing will ever bring Harley back and no words or feelings can describe the grief,” Ms Bateson said.

“(But) we want the best send off we can for the kids.”

To donate, visit the Go Fund Me page here.