26/11 – The inaugural asbestos awareness day event was held in the City of Melbourne Bowling Club, Flagstaff Gardens, Melbourne. The event highlighted asbestos issues from all sides of the asbestos story. “Asbestos lurks in more places than you’d think” was the tag line of the day.
Speakers were, Maitea Lovric, Halil Ahmet, Dr Gerry Ayers and Nadine Medina, they were joined by the inspirational Choir of Hard Knocks. The ecumenical service was conducted by Canon Matthew Williams where we celebrated and recognised lives lost to this insidious carcinogen.
Thank you to all those who attended the event and helped to make it a memorable day. To all our sponsors we want thank them for helping us to be able to conduct this important event for the community – pictured below are some of those who attended
International Workers Memorial Day 2019
On the 26th April 2019 ACV/GARDS and GTLC conducted their International Workers Memorial Day event in the Centenary Rose Garden Morwell Victoria, Australia – Workers Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for workers who have been killed and injured on the job. It is observed around the world by surviving family members, friends, co-workers, and health and safety activists in workplaces and communities. Today we had inspirational speakers – Paul Fowler – Director – Enforcement Group, WorkSafe Victoria – Darren Van Heurck – Workplace Accident Survivor – Steve Dodd – Secretary GTLC & Union organiser, AMWU – wonderful singers – Susan Parrish & Patrick Wakefield from – In Harmony & The Yallourn Madrigal Singers (Choir) – awesome bagpiper – Dick Henry – Moving ecumenical service conducted by Reverend Marilyn – great crowd of family and friends – thank you for making today a wonderful and truly magical event for those attending – everyone felt love and compassion and a sense of community and that is what it is all about – people supporting people!!! We honoured fallen workers and recommitted ourselves to the struggle for safe and healthy work places in Latrobe Valley – Victoria and Australia wide. A memorable day for all.
Vale Terry Miller OAM Asbestos Victims Assoc
31/5/2018 – It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to one of the good guys – Terry Miller OAM former President of the Asbestos Victims Association of SA passed away surrounded by his family. Terry had severe Asbestosis that he contracted working at the James Hardie pipe factory in Elizabeth West South Australia – conditions at the factory were awful according to Terry and he described coming home covered in asbestos dust, which stuck to his clothes, skin and hair. We first met Terry with the start of the James Hardie campaign back in 2004 – by then Terry had been a part of a small group that formed AVA in 2000. Our friendship grew over that time and we formed a strong bond that lasted the test of time. Many phone calls – many meetings and a lot of good will from our friendship with Terry and the AVA gang saw us united in changing the face of asbestos in Australia. Terry devoted himself to helping others as he knew only too well what this disease could do to you. He was a true blue Aussie and we will miss him very much. Our sincerest condolences go to his family, his children, Karen and Scott, two grandchldren and two great grandchildren. Terry may you RIP, your struggle is over mate and you did mighty effort. It was an honour and privilege to have known you and call you friend.
Vale to Jock McCulloch
We were sad to be advised of Jock’s passing earlier this year, but feel very privileged to have known Jock and been able to spend time with him.
Jock visited us here in Gippsland in 2005 to hear our stories on asbestos and how it affected our community and the workers who were exposed to asbestos in our power stations and of course their families. Then later that year Vicki Hamilton CEO/Secretary travelled to Redfern in Sydney with Jock to catch up and visit with the last remaining families of those who were related to the 300 mine workers that made a living from the Baryulgil James Hardie Asbestos Mine. The plight of the asbestos mine workers, near Grafton was first broadcast on the ABC program called Broadband 30th of Sept 1977 by our other dear friend, Matt Peacock, who won second prize in the Sir William McKell award for environmental journalism. The programs were a part of an overall series on occupational health called “Work As a Health Hazard” designed to increase public awareness of the dangers, which are ever present at the workplace. Jock was always trying to help those who were marginalized in communities and this was just another story of workers exploited by companies – Jock had seen this sort of treatment to workers all over the world with asbestos and other mineral mining.
Vicki stated that she was very pleased to meet Ted Mundine, Elsie Gordon, Rita Freeburn, Lily & Chicka Madden and their granddaughters to hear their stories and to try and help where we could. It was a pleasure to meet such stoic people. For many years after that meeting we kept in touch.
Please read the attached Tribute to Jock McCulloch compiled by Gill Nelson – Editor-in –Chief, Occupational Health Southern Africa
Invitation to Our International Workers Memorial Day Event 2018
Diary Dates for November Events 2017
Asbestos Awareness Morning Tea 2017
Date: Wednesday 22nd November 2017
Time: 10am
Venue: ACV/GARDS office – 41 Monash Road Newborough
Entry fee – Gold coin Donation.
On the menu: Scones, Jam and Cream + tea and coffee sponsored by:Slater+Gordon Lawyers
Specialists that will be attending on the day to talk to the general public with questions will comprise
Asbestos Litigation lawyers, Environmental Hygienists, Latrobe City Waste Education Officer and Environmental Health Officer
Come and have a chat with all these specialists to get as much information that you have always wanted to know. For any inquiries please contact the ACV/GARDS office on 51277744
Asbestos Awareness Day Event 2017
Date: Friday 24th November 2017
Time: 11am
Venue: Centenary Rose Garden, Commercial Road, Morwell
An informative event for those in the community to come and listen to speakers with knowledge on asbestos issues and remember those who are suffering and those who have lost their lives to asbestos disease.
Speakers:
Simone Stevenson – Director – Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency
Vicki Burgess – Wife and carer of deceased mesothelioma sufferer and past member of ACV/GARDS Trevor Burgess
Steve Dodd – Secretary & Treasurer of the Gippsland Trades & Labour Council & Union organiser for the AMWU
Vicki Hamilton OAM – CEO & Secretary of Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS Inc.
Bag piper – Dick Henry
Musicans & Singers – Susan Parrish, Joe Omar and Phil Edwards
An Ecumenical Service will be conducted by Pastor Simon Fink – there will be time in the service dedicated to the
laying of flowers in memory of loved ones
Free Community BBQ will be held at the conclusion of the event with the compliments of the GTLC
Latest ‘Asbestos News’ Oct 2017 Out Now
Please take the time to have a look and read of our latest ‘Asbestos News’ October 2017 newsletter. We hope that you will find something of interest within its pages. There are lots of issues happening in our community and further a field, have a read and see if you find something you didn’t know was happening. Enjoy
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0tzqndx711e4og7/GARDSNewsletterOctober2017.pdf?dl=0
Vale Lou Williams
We at ACV/GARDS were sadden by the news of Lou’s Williams passing on the 18/4/2017. She was a beautiful lady with a big heart who fought for mesothelioma sufferers everywhere. Our sincere condolences to Keith and Family. She will be sadly missed by us all.
Rest in Peace dear friend you have done a magnificent job. It is an honour to have known you Lou Williams.