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, from the harrowing 'Bedside hearings' to the establishment of a fairer compensation system for individuals affected by mesothelioma and other dust diseases. To listen to Armando’s story is to ..read more

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 provides the science behind workplace health and safety and debunks the following questions: What is crystalline silica and why is it so hazardous? With a high concentration of silica and crea ..read more

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 chemotherapy, Biaggio passed away just eight months after his diagnosis. In this episode, we delve into the profound impact of Biaggio's illness on his family and his son Paul, who served as his ..read more

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 contamination cropping up across many neighborhoods. Many of these affected areas, which are vital community spaces, remain cordoned off. But why is the cleanup effort moving at such a sluggish pac ..read more

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 increasingly breathless, but not overly concerned, Trevor decided to seek medical advice and after numerous appointments and tests, Trevor received a call that would change his life. He had been diagnosed with ..read more

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, Independent Chair of the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) and the former CEO of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) has an enormous wealth of experience a ..read more

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 discomfort. Little did she know that this would be the moment her life would take an unforeseen turn. A shocking diagnosis of mesothelioma—an aggressive malignant cancer caused by exposure to asbestos—with ..read more

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 support to individuals who have been exposed to harmful dust in the workplace, as well as their dependants.  During this, conversation, James and Katherine delve into the scheme, simplify ..read more