“The following letter was sent under the signature of Air Vice Marshal Bruce Short, Surgeon General Australian Defence Forces, to Bob Deane in Canberra. Bob has kindly sent it to me for the benefit of all MSA members.”  Ted McEvoy.

 

“I am writing to you because your details have been registered with the Defence Asbestos Registration Service database, as a person who is seeking additional information and advice concerning asbestos within Defence.

 

Until the 1970s, asbestos was commonly used as a building material in many Australian buildings. It was frequently used in ships for lagging, fire retarding and soundproofing until the 1990s. Because of this common industry practice, some Defence buildings and naval vessels contain asbestos.

 

If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, and you want further advice on possible exposure to asbestos, the Department of Defence – in conjunction with Health Services Australia, conducts a free service for assessment, counselling and, if necessary, testing. You can access this service by contacting the Health Services Australia office in your region. Their telephone numbers are: 

Brisbane 07-3307-9422

Newcastle 02-4926-4033

Sydney 02-8396-0680

Parramatta 02-9806-7362/7354

Wollongong 02-4226-0172

Canberra 02-6269-2022

Melbourne 03-9224-8376

Hobart 03-6211-0464

Adelaide 08-8468-6084

Perth 08-9324-6444

Darwin 08-8981-7492

A further letter states:

 

It has also been revealed that any person who served at 1SD, 2SD, 2SD Dubbo, or 1CAMD, 11SQN (Richmond) in the early 1960s and 38 SQN after 11SQN vacated that hangar, are advised to register with the Defence Asbestos Registration Service (DARS) by telephoning them on 1800-000-655. It was stated in a letter that the more research they do into the whole issue of asbestos, the more they are becoming aware of other possible exposure of ADF personnel over the years that has gone on undetected. He suggests that everyone review their Service history and consider registration with DARS if appropriate.”

 

Even though you do not have anything wrong with you now, you never know what might/will happen in the future. If you were at one of the units mentioned, ring the 1800 number now. You can either register there and then on the phone, or have the papers sent to you for filling in later.

 

Don’t take any chances—if you were there, enrol now!