About Us

Our Story | How we can help you | AVA Team | Patrons | Sponsors | Membership |
Donations | Get Involved | Annual Memorial Service

Our Story

The Asbestos Victims Association of South Australia (AVA) is a not-for-profit organisation. It provides support for people living with an asbestos-related disease. We also offer assistance to family members, carers, and friends. All services are provided free of charge.

We assist people affected by asbestos in both metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australian. We hold regular gatherings where patients and carers can discuss their experiences with one another. For anyone unable to attend in person, we offer a personal visit or a phone call.

Since 2000, AVA has campaigned in South Australia on behalf of victims for proper compensation and support. There have been some great wins including the Xenophon legislation to streamline and increase compensation payments to South Australians and of course the successful campaign to ensure James Hardie compensated its victims adequately. We are in contact with both medical and legal practitioners who advise our members on treatment options and compensation entitlements.

Our aim is to eliminate the occurrence of asbestos exposure in order to reduce the future incidence of asbestos-related diseases. AVA also provides up-to-date information to the community about the danger of exposure to any type of asbestos.

How we can help you

We work to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure.
We provide support and advocacy for those affected by asbestos and silica-related diseases, as well as family members and carers.

• Information about asbestos and silica-related disease.
• Information about how to stay safe around asbestos in the home or at work.
• Information sessions for community groups (such as U3A, Probus Clubs and Men’s Sheds)
• Free asbestos awareness workshops – asbestos exposure is an ongoing issue which includes not only trades people, but home renovators, or homes and buildings that are in poor repair, or which become damaged through disasters such as storms and bushfires.
• We offer individual support, as well as morning tea social groups.
• We have a Care Coordinator who can help those affected by asbestos and silica-related diseases navigate their illness and treatment.

AVA Team

The Asbestos Victims Association SA Inc is a not for profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Our dedicated team selflessly donate their time to aid sufferers in the South Australian community. Asbestos exposure poses a real threat to EVERYONE, AVA SA’s team and patrons are here to provide current information and support.

Patrons

The Hon. Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia
Frances Bedford, Activist
Tony Zappia MP, member for Makin
Stuart Gordon, State Secretary AMWU

Sponsors

AVA would like to thank the following major sponsors & supporters: 

• Turner Freeman Lawyers
• Safework SA
• ADCO Print
• City of Salisbury Council
• Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA)
• Communications Electrical & Plumbing Union (CEPU)
• Maritime Union of Australia
• Public Service Association of SA
• Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
• United Workers Union
• Australian Workers Union
• Integrinet Design & Marketing

Sponsor and supporter contributions greatly assist AVA in our ongoing activities

Membership

For just $15.00 each year, you can become a member of AVA. To join, click on the button below.

Or click HERE to print the form. When completed, please post to the Asbestos Victims Association (SA) Inc, Level 9 / 60 Waymouth Street Adelaide. As a member you will receive our quarterly newsletter which will keep you up to date with the latest news and events.

Direct debit to our bank account – please provide your name in the reference box so we can identify you. If you would like a written receipt, telephone the office to give us your name and address.

Ways to Pay

PayPal

Direct debit to our bank account

Direct debit to our bank account – please provide your name in the reference box so we can identify you. If you would like a written receipt, telephone the office to give us your name and address.

Beyond Bank
BSB 325-185
A/C 02252614

you can also go to a Beyond Bank branch to pay your membership

Donations

As a non profit organisation, AVA relies on donations to fund the expenses involved in providing our services to victims and their families. Donations to AVA come from a variety of sources, such as sponsorships by annual contributions or from families and friends.

If you prefer to ask for donations for asbestos research, we can advise you. There is wonderful work being done by Flinders Medical Centre (Professor Doug Henderson AO Research Fund), the Asbestos and Dust Disease Research Institute (NSW) and the National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease (WA). Others may prefer to include a bequest to AVA in their will as a lasting way of remembering and celebrating the person’s life, and highlighting the need for asbestos awareness and ongoing research into improved options for treatment. If we can help you with the wording of bequests or leaving a legacy in your Will, please call us on (08) 8212 6008. We can help you to ensure that your bequest is used in the manner you intend.

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult times we have to face in life and finding ways of coping is different for everyone. As part of that journey, some may choose to donate to a support organisation such as AVA. This can be done by asking people to make a donation in lieu of flowers at the funeral service. AVA can supply envelopes for this purpose

Direct debit
to our bank account – please provide your name in the reference box so we can identify you. If you would like a written receipt, telephone the office to give us your name and address.

Beyond Bank
BSB 325-185
A/C 02252614

Get Involved

Volunteering

There are many ways you can get involved by volunteering with AVA.

Annual Memorial Service

Salisbury Memorial

Every year during National Asbestos Awareness Week AVA holds its Annual Memorial Service at Pitman Park, Salisbury with the support of the Council of the City of Salisbury. The Council established a memorial stone in Pitman Park in 2005 with a plaque to acknowledge all asbestos victims, including the many local people who worked at the James Hardie asbestos factory at Elizabeth West. Many of those people were subsequently diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and sadly lost their lives as a result.

The service is attended by many who have lost a loved one to an asbestos related disease as well as dignitaries who support AVA. After an acknowledgment of country and a brief service there are speakers with messages of support and people affected by asbestos tell their stories. Following this there is a one-minute silence of remembrance. The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Caledonian Society of SA then play Amazing Grace – it is a very affecting experience.

Floral Tributes are laid, and attendees have the opportunity to leave flowers by the cross of their loved ones. The pipers play again to close the ceremony.

Whyalla Memorial

The Whyalla Shipyards were among the largest shipyards in Australia, operating from 1941 to 1978. Over that time many of the workforce – about 20,000 people – were exposed to large quantities of asbestos dust and fibre. Others were exposed to asbestos while working at the Steelworks.

At the shipyards, asbestos was used in a variety of different ways. Laggers were employed to insulate pipes and boilers on board ships and to spray asbestos fibre on bulkheads. Many workers were present when the asbestos was installed and sprayed. Others were exposed when removing asbestos during refits and carrying out repairs or working alongside others doing this work.

AVA’s Whyalla branch holds its Memorial Day service at Mount Laura Homestead. The service is held in the garden and crosses are placed on the lawn to commemorate the lives lost to asbestos.

There is a permanent memorial to asbestos victims – a reflection site where family or friends can sit & reflect whenever they please. Each leaf of the tree carries the name of someone who has passed away from asbestos disease.