Episode 291 - Asbestos Australia Part 1 - Baryulgil (1918-1979)

Baryulgil mine, situated in north-east NSW, gained prominence for asbestos extraction during the mid-20th century. While it initially provided economic opportunities for the Baryulgil Indigenous community through employment, the mine's asbestos production later caused severe injury to said workers. Those workers faced asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis, diseases that destroy the lung tissue and leave sufferers gasping for air.


Over time, heightened awareness of asbestos dangers led to the mine's scrutiny and eventual closure. Join Holly & Matthew as they go through the worker safety debates and the environmental challenges offered by such an event, journeying into the complexities of a community caught between progress and peril.

Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod
"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod
Used under a Creative Commons license.

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