However the response prompted Ulladulla social worker and grief counsellor Susan Welsh to question why these roadside memorials were so important, and whether they had replaced traditional cemeteries as places of remembrance.

“I’m trying to find out the role roadside memorials play in the grieving process,” she said.

Ms Welsh is studying the issue for the PhD at Charles Sturt University, and is planning to interview people who have put up some of the many roadside memorials scattered along the Shoalhaven’s roads.

“I really want to focus on our local Shoalhaven area,” Ms Welsh said.

She pointed out using roadside memorials had a long history, yet it had become a growing phenomenon in recent times, and had sparked heated debate and controversy.

“New laws have been established in various local government areas, ranging from total bans, to time limits being imposed, to allowing generic structures only. This has caused many bereaved people considerable anxiety, adding to their grief and anger,” Ms Welsh said.

“It is important to understand why these memorials are important, how they help, and whether this phenomenon signals a move away from church or state run cemeteries to the roadsides as a place of significance.

“This research will lead to possible recommendations and implications for contemporary social work practice, government policymakers, other health and welfare professionals, and government departments such as the NSW Roads and Maritime Services.”

Ms Welsh will also explore whether the actual site of the memorials has central spiritual significance. 

Analysis of some memorials will be undertaken, including examining their physical characteristics including their location, the icons and wording used, and the length of time they have been in place.

Ms Welsh stressed that while the research interviews were not intended as therapeutic or counselling sessions, some might find sharing their grief and story to be a cathartic or healing experience.

“I hope that some participants will at least be comforted by the knowledge that they may be helping others who are facing similar grief, and that through this research they might contribute to possible policies regarding the placement of roadside memorials,” she said. 

“All participants will be provided with counselling contact details if they need to seek further help.” 

Anyone interested in taking part in confidential interviews for the project can contact Ms Welsh by email swelsh@csu.edu.au or through the university on 6933 2249 to find out more.

Ms Welsh said the project would look only at the people who put in roadside memorials, but she hoped to tackle the vexed issue of their impact on others, particularly those involved in the accidents in different ways, in a different report.

Studying complicated and emotional issues is nothing new for Ms Welsh, who researched men who had lost babies as part of her honours degree.