The town of Wittenoom, in the Pilbara of Western Australia, is the site of Australia’s worst industrial disaster. Sadly, the death toll continues today. Once home to the deadly industry of mining, milling and shipping blue asbestos to be manufactured into a plethora of building materials, insulation and lagging / insulation in ships. [Eradication list of asbestos materials]
The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia (ADSA) was formed in 1979 to assist the townsfolk, the traditional owners of Wittenoom and surrounding indigenous communities achieve justice as they were left to battle deadly asbestos diseases alone. Long after the industry closed in 1966 leaving behind deadly piles of asbestos mining tailings. The town did not close until 1985 and the horse racing meets in 1991. The ADSA was successful in fighting for justice and compensation for those diagnosed with deadly asbestos related diseases.
However, the defendants including CSR, Shire of Ashburton, State Government and Hancock Prospecting have not responded to the ADSA’s calls to clean up the site or a memorial to the Indigenous communities and pioneers who bravely went to Wittenoom and exposed their families to what is now described internationally as Australia’s Chernobyl.
The absence of a dedicated memorial is an ongoing injustice to those affected by the continuing Wittenoom industrial disaster. A memorial does not just honour those lost; it serves as a warning to future generations about the consequences of corporate negligence, the failure of government regulation and the long-lasting impact when public health leaders warning are ignored.
Unlike other recent tragedies that have received immediate and substantial recognition, Wittenoom’s victims have been forgotten. This in unacceptable to the ADSA and the public of Perth. We welcome any assistance in correcting this civil wrong.
Please see summary of Government and Local Government investment in other memorials by clicking here. [AAW Fact Sheet]
TIMELINE OF OUR EFFORTS
The struggle to secure a Wittenoom Memorial spans over 25 years. ADSA has consistently pushed for recognition, yet each proposal has been met with delays, dismissals, and outright refusals. Below is a chronological outline of our advocacy efforts:
2025 – Public Response to Rejection of a Wittenoom Memorial in the Pilbara and Perth
Following the ADSA publishing the rejection of the Wittenoom memorial proposals, several members wrote to the Western Australian and the Minister.
2024 – Official Rejection of Wittenoom Memorial Proposal
After nearly a year of waiting, the WA government formally rejected ADSA’s latest proposal. The only positivity in the response was that the City of Perth was supportive and open to discussions.
In the rejection letter, the State Government suggested;
1. We could spend a portion of a small grant creating a digital memorial. Further to this, another Minister was concerned that the government would not have the records to recall all those lost to deadly asbestos diseases from Wittenoom.
2. The Shire of Ashburton thought the State Government should invest in a digital memorial that the ADSA’s experts estimate would cost around $250,000.
2023 – Updated Change.Org Petition No.089 Calling for the Establishment of a Permanent Memorial Submitted Using New Government Software
The Original Change. Org petition with over 5,000 signatures collected was not accepted. The Government requested that the ADSA re-start the petition to using Government approved petition software. This petition was to be formally reviewed by the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs.
Presentation to the Shire of Ashburton
In April 2023 ADSA CEO, accompanied Local MLC Mr Peter Foster presented a proposal, to the Shire of Ashburton Council Meeting outlining the benefits of a memorial outside Tom Price at the visitors parking stop a memorial and interactive information site on the history of Wittenoom. It could offer benefits;
1. The healing benefits of a memorial
2. A deterrent and explanation of the risks of visiting Wittenoom. It is perceived as attractive for overland campers and tourists in Karijini National Park to visit Wittenoom.
3. Reduce the risk of legal action by reducing exposure
2021 – Wittenoom Closure Bill & Renewed Memorial Discussions
As part of the legislative process surrounding the Wittenoom Closure Bill, ADSA wrote to the Lands Minister requesting that a memorial be included as part of the funding in the bill.
2018 – Wittenoom Memorial Solidarity Park
Unions WA, the peak body representing affiliated Unions in WA, heard of the ADSA’s desire to acknowledge those lost to Wittenoom. The ADSA was very grateful and space was made for a plaque and a lovely service. However, Solidarity Park is a site for workers who are killed unlawfully in the course of their work. It was not designed for the loss of families and children such is the tragedy of Wittenoom. But it was an amazing step forward.
2015 – Increased Media Attention and Renewed Lobbying
With growing public awareness, ADSA leveraged media support to reignite discussions about the memorial. Unions WA responded and so did our members with former Wittenoom Child Ms Lynice Bolitho approaching the ADSA to work on a project. The result being the Wittenoom Memorial Solidarity Park
1988 – First Memorial Established Flagpole at ADSA HQ 483 Charles St North Perth
ADSA applied to the local Council for permission and this was granted to install a flag pole in the front yard of their HQ. The flag pole was donated by Joe Williams of Port Headland. The ADSA official flag would be flown at half mast whenever a member passed from an asbestos related disease.
