Dust to Dust

Resource Information

The item Dust to Dust represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
This item is available to borrow from 1 library branch.

Contributor

Summary: Dust to Dust documents the history of an asbestos mine near the small, mainly Aboriginal township of Baryulgil in northern NSW. The mine employed mainly the Aboriginals from the area, however the manager and engineer were white. In 1977 the mine was closed amidst some public outcry and media coverage of the health risks of working with asbestos. The workers at Baryulgil had gradually become aware that their work could slowly have been killing them and their families. The Baryulgil people tell their story...they were given no warnings as to the dangers of asbestos, they were not given adequate safety equipment; they were instructed to clean up the mine before inspectors were due. Now, over half the people who worked at the mine have died from what is believed to be asbestos-related diseases and most of the people still alive suffer from illness commonly associated with asbestos. The film concentrates on the workers so far unsuccessful attempts to gain compensation for the deaths and their illnesses, and sets the Baryulgil story within the context of the world wide history of asbestos mining and world wide knowledge of its lethal effects. It connects the Baryulgil experience and struggle to that of asbestos workers all over the world. The film stresses that only through concerted action by workers and their unions will industry and governments be forced to take action around occupational health. Made in collaboration with Anna Russell from the Workers Health Centre, Lidcombe

Work

Extent: 1 film reel (approximately 29 min., approxiamtely 800 feet)

Note: Not digitised ; no access copies

Link: https://aiatsis.gov.au/collections/using-collection/ordering-collection-items

Instance

Label: Dust to Dust

Title: Dust to Dust

Contributor

Subject

Summary: Dust to Dust documents the history of an asbestos mine near the small, mainly Aboriginal township of Baryulgil in northern NSW. The mine employed mainly the Aboriginals from the area, however the manager and engineer were white. In 1977 the mine was closed amidst some public outcry and media coverage of the health risks of working with asbestos. The workers at Baryulgil had gradually become aware that their work could slowly have been killing them and their families. The Baryulgil people tell their story...they were given no warnings as to the dangers of asbestos, they were not given adequate safety equipment; they were instructed to clean up the mine before inspectors were due. Now, over half the people who worked at the mine have died from what is believed to be asbestos-related diseases and most of the people still alive suffer from illness commonly associated with asbestos. The film concentrates on the workers so far unsuccessful attempts to gain compensation for the deaths and their illnesses, and sets the Baryulgil story within the context of the world wide history of asbestos mining and world wide knowledge of its lethal effects. It connects the Baryulgil experience and struggle to that of asbestos workers all over the world. The film stresses that only through concerted action by workers and their unions will industry and governments be forced to take action around occupational health. Made in collaboration with Anna Russell from the Workers Health Centre, Lidcombe

Cataloging source: AIAS

Date of event: 1981

Date time place: Film in

Information about documentation: 1. Article from National Times 27 May-2 June 1983 "The deadly dust of Baryugil"; Publicity Pamphlet; Article from National Times 11-17 May 1984 - "Warning to Govt. in black call for '88 chief to quit".