Mick Tomkins, a former electrical worker with the CEPU, is currently battling terminal mesothelioma, which was diagnosed last year. He started his career at the Yallourn Power Station at 20 years old, in 1972. As a subcontractor, he contributed to the construction of the new W station during a time when the power industry was thriving, employing around 1,000 other contractors at the site. Sadly, his grizzly experience is just a tip of the iceberg in a booming power industry crisis over asbestos exposure.
Tomkins and his family have worked tirelessly to keep him healthy, beginning daily lung compression tests more than 10 years ago. Three years ago, he started to experience a persistent cough, which would prove to be the catalyst in his diagnosis. Today, Tomkins juggles a normal life along with his treatment and has achieved success by using immunotherapy. His cancer is currently stable.
Though the odds have been stacked against him, Tomkins refuses to focus on the negative and is still living life to the fullest. He’s been getting together with mates for regular training sessions at the local Traralgon pool. His approach rings true to the very stoicism that men of his generation are known for. Or, they simply decide to not make a scene about their poor health and use their voice.
The Impact of Asbestos Exposure
Vicki Hamilton, an advocate for former power workers, notes that approximately 140,000 individuals were exposed to asbestos from the 1920s to the 1980s. A 2009 study by Melbourne’s Monash University uncovered shocking figures among ex-power workers in the Latrobe Valley. They were subsequently diagnosed with mesothelioma at a rate seven times the national average. This shocking number proves that the entire community at large has been affected by asbestos exposure and its consequences.
In 2008, then-Premier of Victoria John Brumby decided to go out on a limb. He expressed his sorrow to the families of former power industry employees for their suffering from asbestos exposure. For his part, Secretary He acknowledged that the state government should be sorry. It is outrageous, he said, that anyone should experience these types of hazardous materials on the job.
“On behalf of the Victorian government and the community, I want to say sorry and to express our regret for the pain and suffering felt by some former power industry workers and their families where that was caused by asbestos exposure at the former SECV … It is unacceptable that any person, through the course of their work, is exposed to what we now know is a deadly substance,” – John Brumby
Despite these past attempts, a 2022-created federal task force found the need for 21 recommendations to reduce the risks associated with asbestos. As of March of 2023, none of these measures have gone into effect. Hamilton makes the case that advocacy and consciousness-raising about displaced workers is still critically important.
Ongoing Struggles and Community Support
Tomkins was lucky to have supportive leadership at the state DOT. The injury settlement allowed him to pay for half of the overall compensation claim for injuries covered by his ex-employer’s insurance carrier. Without this help, he worries his family would be in deep poverty in under a year.
“I’m very lucky; the state government just helped to fund me for part of my money because, without that, we would have been looking at closing within 12 months because that’s about the only money we have left,” – Mick Tomkins
Hamilton facilitates a support group for those affected by asbestos-related diseases. Above all, he’s most attuned to their fears and desires for health and wellness. As such, she gets phone calls every month from people who should already clearly understand that they are sick and are looking for medical guidance. Her commitment highlights the work still needed to support this often forgotten community.
“I get a couple of calls a month at least from people who know that they’re sick and they are going to see a doctor,” – Vicki Hamilton
Hamilton wants protesters to understand that this crisis is touching everyone — in a very real way. “That affected a whole community, and every person, every second or third person in the Latrobe Valley knows somebody who has an asbestos-related disease,” she states.
The Lasting Legacy of Asbestos
The legacy of asbestos in the Latrobe Valley is still a present threat. Though a very effective national ban on asbestos went into effect two decades ago, an estimated 6.5 million metric tons still remain scattered across our communities. Much of this stock is approaching or well past its effective lifespan. As Hamilton explains, although steps to mitigate risks were taken years ago, there’s still major regulatory risks and threats.
“We might have banned it 20 years ago, but we’ve got 6.5 million tonnes in the community still there and it’s all well past its use-by date,” – Vicki Hamilton
Tomkins recalls the conditions he faced while working on-site. He recounts how laggers would insulate pipes before he’d put the final touches on with sheet metal. The insulation was mostly fiberglass, and some of the sections had asbestos insulation.
“Most of that insulation was fiberglass, but then we had sectional asbestos over the pipes,” – Mick Tomkins
He passionately describes the times when he’d come home with his overalls covered in asbestos powder. This memory illustrates how ubiquitous the substance was while he worked in the industry.
“You had a lot of asbestos dust … we would bring our overalls home, covered in white,” – Mick Tomkins
Today, Tomkins remembers his diagnosis with bittersweet nostalgia. “It was a bit of a shock, but it would be more of a shock if I was 35 years old,” he said. His resilience shines through as he continues to face each day with determination.
“We just take each day now as we go and just do what the doctors say,” – Mick Tomkins
