Speeches
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia Tree Planting Ceremony
Rod and I warmly welcome you to these beautiful Government House gardens for this special ceremony.
In many cultures, the act of planting a tree symbolises life, growth and renewal.
That encapsulates what we seek in regard to Asbestos-related diseases.
We recognise that many lives have been saved since the ban on asbestos 22 years ago.
But, as the third wave of asbestos exposure places home renovators and tradespeople at risk, too many lives are still being limited or lost due to asbestos-related diseases.
We seek to grow awareness of asbestos …
… that it continues to be a serious hazard because asbestos still lurks inside many of our older buildings and structures waiting to be disturbed as they age and degrade.
And, we renew our commitment to ending asbestos-related diseases.
This is a mission that requires all our cooperation – across levels of government, the building industry, training organisations, unions, workers, home renovators, media, and clinicians.
Today, we remember all the people of the three waves of asbestos exposure who have died – those working in mining and manufacturing, tradespeople, home renovators and their family members and others.
These people were much loved by their families and friends. They are gone but never forgotten.
We also remember the people who are struggling now with these diseases and their families.
I hope this ceremony offers you and your families some comfort.
Planting a tree is both a symbolic and practical act.
Symbolic because trees symbolise life and families.
Practical because eventually this tree will provide a home to native animals and precious shade in the summer heat.
And, like survivors of asbestos diseases, River Red Gums are resilient – they bounce back from floods, fires, and drought.
Friends,
Rod and I thank you for being here to join in the tree-planting. Our thanks also to Peter and Tina Photakis and the team for all your work to realise this event.
At this stage, this beautiful River Red Gum sapling is full of promise.
We hope as it grows, it will be a source of comfort and hope to this community.