Marble Bar, Pilbara, Western Australia, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia,  to the south of which, withing the Pilbara region, is the now ghost town of Wittenoon , the site of Australia's only blue asbestos mine.

The Wittenoom Tragedy

The CSR mining and milling of blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia, is the greatest industrial disaster in Australia and is comparable to similar catastrophes such as Bhopal, Seveso and Minamato.
At Wittenoom thousands of workers and their families, visitors, tourists, consultants and Government officials were exposed to lethal levels of blue asbestos a thousand times higher than occupationally regulated at the time.

DUST

2009 Victorian Tour

2 - 24 October

Media Release

Regional Arts Victoria is proud to announce the 2009 tour of Dust which will tour Victoria during October.

Brought to you by the artists behind the critically acclaimed We Built this City, Dust brings to life the story of those affected by asbestos-related diseases.

 

Set in two parts, Dust delivers a roving performance incorporating sideshow, rock ‘n’ roll, film and a vortex of dust! A traditional approach unfolds for the second half, featuring Mick Thomas from Weddings Parties Anything with a choir of 50 voices made up of local singers and performers. The production incorporates local stories and experiences with asbestos.

 

This fast-paced multi-media theatre production takes its audience on an almighty journey. A peek into Australian homes from the not too distant past, reveals domestic products exposed families to asbestos; toothpaste, play dough, hair dryers and cigarette filters were all made with asbestos. Have you checked your shed? Did you check the electric blanket, and the surgical thread?

Asbestos was mined primarily in WA and manufactured by James Hardie Industries. By the 1950’s, a quarter of all houses built in Australia were clad with asbestos cement sheets. It was used by handymen to knock up a boat shed or add an extra room on the family home until the late 1980’s. Their overalls were washed by housewives and the asbestos dust residue swept up by their children.

Currently there are hundreds of people facing asbestos-related illness including lung cancers. The number of illnesses from exposure is expected to peak in the year 2020.

 

Far from being depressing or polemical, this production is joyous, touching and inspirational. Like the people who battled James Hardie Industries and won, Dust represents guts, determination and the Australian fighting spirit.

 

Regional Arts Victoria is touring Dust to Geelong, Shepparton and Sale during October 2009.

Produced by Hubcap Productions and Regional Arts Victoria in partnership with The Asbestos Diseases

Society of Victoria (ADSVIC).

 

For more information, visit www.hubcapproductions.com.auand mesothelioma