Who We Are
Asbestoswise is overseen by an elected Committee of Management consisting of seven volunteer members who govern the affairs of the organisation and a small contigent of paid staff.
Committee of Management
President: David Clement
Co Vice-president: Lou Williams
Co Vice-president: Lawrie O’Shea
Secretary: Shirley Bare
Treasurer: Lawrie O’Shea
Elisa Scarica
Lesley Hitchcock
John Steele
Shelley Mathews
Sponsorship & Special Projects: Lisa Mugg
CEO: Wayne Bruton
EA: Christine Armstrong
Key areas that Asbestoswise are passionate about are information, support, advocacy, education and awareness.
Message from the President
The last three months have been a period of consolidation following the merger of our two organisations in November last year. This has been helped by the decision of both Maurice Blackburn and Slater & Gordon to support Asbestoswise for the coming year and we would like to acknowledge their contribution. We hope to build a strong working partnership with these two law firms who have so much expertise and experience in handling compensation claims. We are about to launch our new web page which will be more user friendly and encourage active participation with Asbestoswise. We have also written to a number of legal, medical, union and industry professionals to invite them on to our Advisory panel and I am happy to report that almost everyone has agreed to join up.
In early March the committee of management attended a planning day to set priorities for the Asbestos wise. It was agreed that there should be a balance in our work between assisting those living with asbestos related disease and ensuring people don’t continue to be exposed to the high levels of asbestos in the built and natural environment. Our work with those living with disease will continue through both our support group, which meets monthly, and the individual counselling we offer to some people who prefer this option. This year we are also developing a recently bereaved group for those family members and friends who need their own space to meet together regularly.
We are about to embark upon an advocacy program aimed at encouraging local, state and federal governments to do more to ensure people are not exposed to asbestos dust at work, in the environment and in their homes.
Asbestoswise is looking forward to the recommendations of the Asbestos Management Review. Geoff Farey is preparing his recommendations to submit to the Minister by the end of June. He is now carrying out a last round of consultations and Asbestoswise is meeting with him on 29 March. At this meeting we will press for a public education program on the dangers of being exposed to asbestos and for practical measures to ensure homeowners can remove asbestos in their homes safely and cheaply
We will also be pressing for stakeholder bodies, local councils and state and federal governments to have clear responsibility for all aspects of with the safe management of asbestos. Asbestos wise commends the NSW Government for bringing all those bodies with responsibility for asbestos management into one coordinating body (HACA). We note that no such initiative is evident in Victoria and will be calling on the Victorian State Government to do the same as NSW and two other states.
Our main task in 2012 will be to ensure the recommendations of the asbestos management review are implemented and that the state and federal government takes measures to ensure that people know of the risks that still exist from asbestos dust. There needs to be workable, practical solutions for people who might be exposed, through their work, in their homes or in their communities.
David Clement
Message from the CEO
First and foremost I would like to congratulate both Asbestos Disease Society of Victoria (ADSVIC) and Asbestos Information and Support Service (AISS) committees of management for their hard work, dedication, commitment and support over the past year while making the merger a success into the organization, Asbestoswise.
Both organisations have brought collectively over 20 years of experience to the table and it is great to see the innovation of the groups to decide to reduce duplication and proceed forward with a fresh new collaboration of work to supply information, support, advocacy, education and awareness to people affected by asbestos and the wider community.
Prior to joining Asbestoswise, I was the Executive Officer of AISS for 3 years. Before joining AISS, I worked on population health analysis issues at another non-for profit organisation where epidemiology is specialty. I have more than 13 years experience in management level and continue to strive further though education and dedication to the current role. Before becoming the Executive Officer of AISS, I worked in many primary and secondary health care roles in both rural and urban settings. I have also worked in education, recruitment and case management roles. I have a Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing), a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons) and a Masters in Public Health.
It is with this experience, I will lead Asbestoswise into the future to guarantee it as a sustainable, viable and industry leading organisation. I would also like to acknowledge that without the vital contribution of members, volunteers and staff that have committed well and above the normal call of duty, this merger would not have been such a success.
Wayne Bruton