Dust Disease Diaries: Real lives, real stories of asbestos & beyond

This is the story of Biaggio Signorelli, a young migrant from Italy who arrived in Pyrmont, NSW, in the mid-1950s. From humble beginnings, Biaggio went on to found the iconic Doltone House Group – making a significant impact on Sydney's hospitality scene.  In October 2007 at the age of 70, a seemingly minor cough revealed a devastating diagnosis of mesothelioma. Despite undergoing surgery and...

Welcome to Episode 9 of our podcast series. Today, we're diving into the lingering issue of asbestos contamination in Sydney, particularly discussing why the cleanup process seems to be dragging on for so long.      Since our last episode recorded on the 2nd February discussing the asbestos exposure in Sydney's Rozelle Parklands, the problem has spread all over Sydney with signs of contami...

In the late 1970’s and 1980’s, Trevor Seaman worked as an apprentice electrician in his hometown of Wagga Wagga. He then spent the next 35 years travelling the world working on various oil rigs and mines. In 2020, Trevor and his wife Shirley returned home to Australia, planning to retire and work on the farm they had purchased in country Victoria, near the Albury-Wodonga border. Feeling increasing...

It’s early 2024 and bonded asbestos has been found in mulch across Sydney. What do we need to know and should we be worried?  In early 2024, bonded asbestos was discovered in the mulch of the brand-new Rozelle Parklands, sparking public concern. Then more was found in landscaping sites across Sydney. This has shone a light on the fact that asbestos is still very much a problem today.  Peter Tighe,...

A young lawyer stumbles on an asbestos litigation case that sets him on a journey to drive legislative changes in NSW – changes that were then adopted around the country. In this episode, join James O’Loghlin as he delves into the world of asbestos litigation in Australia with one of its pioneering figures, Armando Gardiman.   Armando sheds light on the evolution of asbestos compensation claims, f...

Kate Cole OAM Certified Occupational Hygienist The history, hazards and massive health impacts of Silicosis in Australia  Today’s conversation shines a spotlight on silicosis – a national health crisis and a topic that has been prevalent in the media for much of 2023.  In this episode, James sits down with Kate Cole OAM, an expert in respirable silica. As a Certified Occupational Hygienist, she pr...

In this episode, we dive into a crucial topic: navigating the workers’ compensation process when diagnosed with a dust disease. In this conversation, James is joined by Katherine Stone the Head of Dust Diseases Care at iCare. Together, they shed light on the workers compensation process in NSW.  Katherine provides an overview of the Dust Diseases Care Scheme, explaining how it provides crucial sup...

A young girl helping her father to build a garden shed would never dream that the shavings she innocently played with would one day lead to a cancer diagnosis.  How does a person find the inner strength to go from living a full life to facing three consecutive cancer diagnoses?  In 2021, Lisa was preparing for the start of an extraordinary year. Recently relocated to the Southern Highlands with he...

When a patient visits an oncologist, they know they're facing a challenging journey. But what does it look like from the doctor's perspective? In this episode, we sit down with Dr Anthony Linton, a medical oncologist and a specialist in mesothelioma. Have you ever wondered how a young medical student decides to specialise in oncology? And how does a doctor navigate the complicated path of...

Welcome to the launch episode of our podcast series that dives into the emotional and challenging experiences of individuals facing asbestos and dust-related diseases, as well as those that treat and care for them. Today, we share the compelling journey of Sandie Foreman, who found herself facing an unexpected battle with cancer. In 2016, Sandie visited her G.P. for what seemed like a minor discom...