Our Services

Supporting Asbestos and Silicosis sufferers throughout Victoria

Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS has been operating since 1991 to support asbestos sufferers in Gippsland and throughout Victoria.

We are a not for profit organisation, endorsed as a deductible gift recipient and have Charity Tax concession, including the charity tick of approval.

We are the only asbestos support and advocacy group in Victoria. Since 2020 we also support silica sufferers and their families.

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Staff

  • Our organisation is operated by one full time worker and one part time worker, plus a band of dedicated volunteers
  • Our volunteers make home and hospital visits to sufferers
  • The office is staffed Monday to Thursday from 10.00am to 4.00pm and Fridays by appointment

Membership functions

  • We conduct three meetings each month, two are held at the ACV/GARDS office at 211 Lloyd Street, Moe Victoria 3825 and the third is held in metro Melbourne at Amaroo House – Chadstone.
    The meetings include an afternoon Support Group meeting from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, where guest speakers are invited. Visit the Asbestos Support Groups page for meeting dates.
 Plus an evening organisational meeting from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
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Support services

  • We provide 24/7 telephone information
  • We offer advocacy and support services such as counselling (in-person or phone)
  • A range of medical equipment is available for Gippsland members to use at no cost, including oxygen concentrators, oxygen bottle conserving devices, carriers and wheel chairs and nebulisers
  • A six monthly newsletter, information booklets and pamphlets are provided to keep members and the community up to date with asbestos news
  • A library of books, videos, CDs, DVDs and manuals can be borrowed free of charge

Education

  • Speakers can be arranged for Asbestos Awareness education sessions to community groups, work places, TAFE apprentices in the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, painting and decorating areas, Probus, Rotary, Church groups and many other organisations throughout Victoria
  • We conduct tutorials to medical students, nursing students and allied health students in Victoria
  • We work with various Universities such as Monash and Melbourne University on a range of projects such as social, health, environmental etc.
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Events

  • We conduct an annual International Workers Memorial Day Service in April, and two Asbestos Awareness Day events each November, with one in Gippsland and one in metro Melbourne at the Flag Staff Gardens. We also hold an annual Asbestos Awareness Morning tea.

ACV/GARDS is available to assist anyone whose lives have been affected by asbestos, their families and the general public.