To save lives we’re on a mission to educate more Australians than ever before about potentially dangerous asbestos products still lurking in one third of Aussie homes.

After losing a dear friend and colleague to mesothelioma, the memory of what asbestos did to my mate Harold Hopkins and that it might have been avoided still fills me with deep sadness. Harold is among the countless Australians whose lives have been lost because they inhaled asbestos fibres. 

As Ambassador for Asbestos Awareness Month, former DIY renovator and tradie, I’ve met many, many people who like me, have lost someone dear to them and been unnecessarily exposed to asbestos fibres. 

Friends, grandparents, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons and tragically, even grandchildren have succumbed to asbestos-related diseases because they inhaled asbestos fibres.

The first wave of victims were the miners and manufacturers of asbestos and their wives who died from mesothelioma when they breathed in fibres while washing their husband's work clothes.

The second wave of asbestos-related deaths were tradies who’d worked with asbestos-containing products.

Their partners also became victims and sometimes even children who’d inhaled fibres died in their early twenties before their lives had even begun.

In recent times in what’s been dubbed the third wave of victims, homeowners, DIYers and tradies have been identified as those most at risk when they renovate homes, unknowingly disturb asbestos and inhale the fibres that can kill.

Asbestos is not a thing of the past. If managed safely and products remain undisturbed, sealed and in good condition asbestos doesn’t pose a health risk. However, asbestos remains in one in every three Aussie homes.

Asbestos is not just in fibro homes. Any brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad home, even apartments built or renovated before 1987 will contain asbestos in some form or another. Asbestos could be lurking under floor coverings, in walls, behind wallpaper, under floor and wall tiles, in eaves, garages, carports, sheds, bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, roofs, fences and even concrete paths.

With the current popularity of DIY and home renovations increasing, now more than ever before Australian’s must take the warnings seriously to prevent this avoidable and tragic loss of life and Get to kNOw Asbestos this NOvember. Visit asbestosawareness.com.au today to learn what asbestos products might look like, where they might be lurking in homes and how to manage it safely. It’s not worth the risk.

Change is inevitable, but it’s how you navigate it that matters. In this ever changing world we urge everyone who cares about our society – whether you live in Sydney or Swan Hill – to remember we all deserve respect and dignity.

Our country’s success is built on this very idea of a ‘fair go’ for all, a notion underpinned by the very basic principle of humanity. Humanity is universal in nature and urges that all people – no matter their gender, race or religion – to be treated with respect, and given the chance to live life in dignity.

In this world we have choices to make: a fair go for all, or just for some; unity or separation. We all have the chance to nurture and promote the kindness, compassion and goodness that are essential for human dignity.

At Red Cross, we work for unity, humanity and the inherent dignity of every person. We encourage all Australians and our community, political and business leaders to do the same.