End of an Era for the Bernie Banton Foundation
We would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Karen Banton-Smith and Rod Smith over the past eleven years as they have supported sufferers and increased awareness of the ongoing risk of asbestos to the community.
“I founded the Bernie Banton Foundation in June 2009, for only one reason, to uphold what Bernie believed in; to assist people to navigate the difficult journey an asbestos-related disease diagnosis presents; to enable people to have informed choice about specialist dust litigators and medical professionals; to prevent people being exposed to asbestos dust/fibres by creating awareness of mesothelioma asbestos cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases, and to advocate for, and to be the voice of reason for Australian asbestos-related disease sufferers, their carers and loved ones, allied health and care providers, and to the wider community.”
Karen Banton-Smith, Founder of Bernie Banton Foundation
The Reflections Board acknowledges the support Rod and Karen have provided to Reflections since its founding. Since attending our official launch in Perth, Western Australia in November 2015, our organisations have shared a common desire – a future with lives untouched by asbestos.
“Karen Banton, myself and the Bernie Banton Foundation’s Board of Directors would like to thank all those who have supported the Foundation via donating, fundraising and sponsorship over the last eleven years. Without your support, the Foundation could not have provided its’ asbestos-related disease support and patient advocacy services, and asbestos awareness and education it has become widely recognised for across Australia and New Zealand. Every dollar donated, fundraised, sponsored or given in kind has helped and meant a lot – we are truly grateful.”
Rod Smith, Awareness & Support Coordinator at Bernie Banton Foundation
The Bernie Banton Foundation website, now renamed as simply the Bernie Banton website, is being independently continued and maintained by Karen and Rod as a voluntary community service. It remains an invaluable resource which we encourage you to utilise should you have questions about mesothelioma asbestos cancer, other asbestos-related diseases, supportive care options, and asbestos and its’ effect on the community.
We wish both Karen and Rod all the best as the next chapter of their lives begin.
The Reflections Team
Compensation Entitlements for Sufferers of Asbestos-Related disease
Did you know there are compensation entitlements available to sufferers of asbestos-related disease? But there are things they need to know…
Sufferers of asbestos diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural disease are often unaware that they have compensation entitlements and that there are time limits restraining how long they have to commence a claim.
Different countries and indeed each State of Australia have their own specific time limits.
Some States have no time limit while others have extremely strict time limits. For the States with strict time limits, a person is barred from bringing a claim for compensation if they do not commence proceedings within the legally allotted time frame. This means if a sufferer commences proceedings after the relevant time limit expires then they are, in most circumstances, no longer entitled to compensation.
The matter of time limits is complicated particularly where a person has exposure to asbestos in more than one state and/or overseas. It is, for this reason, it is imperative that sufferers of asbestos disease seek legal advice from an expert asbestos lawyer as soon as they are diagnosed with an asbestos disease to ensure their entitlements are protected.
When it comes to people suffering from mesothelioma seeking legal advice as a matter of urgency is imperative, as court proceedings must be commenced in their lifetime to ensure the amount for general damages (also known as pain and suffering) survives for the benefit of their Estate. If proceedings are not commenced within a person’s lifetime their loved ones are under-compensated.
Should you have any questions please contact us and we can ensure you are put in touch with an experienced asbestos lawyer who can provide you with obligation-free advice.
The Reflections Team
Steeltoes & Stilettos – returning to the runway
Align your brand with this unique, building and construction industry event as STEELTOES & STILETTOS returns to the runway on Saturday 21 November 2020.
This unique building and construction industry event brings the risk of asbestos to the big stage when tradies are dobbed-in and sponsored to walk the runway with a model.
With the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world and the most in-situ asbestos of all the states, asbestos has left a devastating legacy in Western Australia. One person dies every 12 hours from mesothelioma in Australia and an estimated 4000 people every year from the effects of asbestos.
We are currently experiencing a third ‘wave’ of sufferers including DIY’ers and tradies. This landmark event not only increases awareness within the building and construction industry, but it also spreads the message to the wider community.
“Master Builders salute the active role that Reflections plays in raising awareness of the potentially fatal risk of dealing with asbestos in the building and construction industry. This event brings the asbestos message to a wider audience and help make young people aware of the terrible outcomes associated with this dangerous substance.”
John Gelavis, Executive Director, Master Builders Association of Western Australia, Reflections’ Ambassador.
Tradies, both male and female, register and raise funds for the opportunity to walk the catwalk with a model at the event. There are several runway categories each representing different trades – Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Finishes and Plumbing. On the night, the red carpet will be rolled out and guests will enjoy canapes and drinks as the top ten fundraising tradies in each category ‘strut their stuff’ in the hope of being this year’s Model Tradie of the Year.
There are a number of opportunities for you to be part of this exciting event, including:
- Sponsorship
- Donation of products or services
- Participation at the event – dob-in and sponsor a tradie, and attend on the night.
If you would like to know how you can align your brand with this unique event and, thereby, the message of asbestos safety, contact event manager, Jo Morris.
Save the date – Saturday 21 November – and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.
