6 thoughts on “1968 evans deakin shipyard at kangaroo Point Brisbane”
Hi Ian,
I worked in the building industry from the 70’s, using asbestos based products, as we were not aware of the dangers, had mates that were mechanics working on braking systems, not aware of the dangers, so I would imagine the same in many other industries. It wasn’t till 15 or 20 years later that the dangers became known. I will be 70 next year, have been diagnosed with early emphysema, I have never smoked, was subjected to a lot of passive smoking & used a lot of now banned products, used lead based paints, used urea formaldehyde glues.
I remember doing a tour of the James Hardie factory in Brisbane in the 70’s as part of our TEC course, the floor was white from the dust, walking into the factory, was like walking into a smoke hazed night club.
The last job I had was in maintenance @ a local hospital, it wasn’t until we did an asbestos awareness course, that we fully understood the number of every day products still in use, that contain asbestos in our houses, vinyl floor tiles, sheet vinyl, lagging on hot water pipes, urea formaldehyde glues used in early particleboard & plywood’s.
There would be other products we are not aware of.
Trevor.
My dad died from mesothelioma aged 60. He worked as a boilermaker at Evans Deakin shipyard kangaroo point during a 5 year apprenticeship in the late 30’s and throughout the war years. He worked very long hours there, often only sleeping 2 hours after riding home from kangaroo point to cannon hill on his bicycle, and then riding back after the 2 hours’ sleep to work another long shift. I think he only had Sundays off which he spent at church. He lasted as long as he could working to this regimen to help in the war effort, but he developed schizophrenia towards the end probably from the stress on his mind and body and physical exhaustion and mostly from sleep deprivation. He tried to enlist in the armed services,but was told he was needed more at Evans Deakin. repairing the warships (they had a special name for them but ca’t remember it now – Liberty ships ???) He was sent white feathers in the mail for not serving. I think he well and truly served but his efforts were never acknowledged. He still had episodic schizophrenia until the time of his death.
I worked at this yard during these years. The tanker Esso Gippsland was also under construction at this time. Evans Deakin employed close to 1,000 workers at this yard. I remember Bob Hawke as a union official visiting during 1970. Sadly, due to ongoing industrial disputes, the yard finished production of ships in the early 1970’s.
You mentioned ongoing industrial disputes … do you remember using asbestos lagging in the ships that you built. Did any of your mates get Asbestosis from Evans Deakin Shipyard?
G’day Fred I also worked on the Esso Gippsland, the three Traders and others.
As an electrical apprentice and tradesman all the electrical cables were double rubber insulated with the outer layer being asbestos. If my memory serves me correctly you are correct in saying E.D employed around 1,000 employees. There were between 40 and 60 electricians employed as subcontractors.
Hi Ian,
I worked in the building industry from the 70’s, using asbestos based products, as we were not aware of the dangers, had mates that were mechanics working on braking systems, not aware of the dangers, so I would imagine the same in many other industries. It wasn’t till 15 or 20 years later that the dangers became known. I will be 70 next year, have been diagnosed with early emphysema, I have never smoked, was subjected to a lot of passive smoking & used a lot of now banned products, used lead based paints, used urea formaldehyde glues.
I remember doing a tour of the James Hardie factory in Brisbane in the 70’s as part of our TEC course, the floor was white from the dust, walking into the factory, was like walking into a smoke hazed night club.
The last job I had was in maintenance @ a local hospital, it wasn’t until we did an asbestos awareness course, that we fully understood the number of every day products still in use, that contain asbestos in our houses, vinyl floor tiles, sheet vinyl, lagging on hot water pipes, urea formaldehyde glues used in early particleboard & plywood’s.
There would be other products we are not aware of.
Trevor.
Thanks Trevor for your insights into occupational health and safety.
Ian, Editor 19 November 2025
My dad died from mesothelioma aged 60. He worked as a boilermaker at Evans Deakin shipyard kangaroo point during a 5 year apprenticeship in the late 30’s and throughout the war years. He worked very long hours there, often only sleeping 2 hours after riding home from kangaroo point to cannon hill on his bicycle, and then riding back after the 2 hours’ sleep to work another long shift. I think he only had Sundays off which he spent at church. He lasted as long as he could working to this regimen to help in the war effort, but he developed schizophrenia towards the end probably from the stress on his mind and body and physical exhaustion and mostly from sleep deprivation. He tried to enlist in the armed services,but was told he was needed more at Evans Deakin. repairing the warships (they had a special name for them but ca’t remember it now – Liberty ships ???) He was sent white feathers in the mail for not serving. I think he well and truly served but his efforts were never acknowledged. He still had episodic schizophrenia until the time of his death.
I worked at this yard during these years. The tanker Esso Gippsland was also under construction at this time. Evans Deakin employed close to 1,000 workers at this yard. I remember Bob Hawke as a union official visiting during 1970. Sadly, due to ongoing industrial disputes, the yard finished production of ships in the early 1970’s.
hello fred,
You mentioned ongoing industrial disputes … do you remember using asbestos lagging in the ships that you built. Did any of your mates get Asbestosis from Evans Deakin Shipyard?
ian,
editor wbt
G’day Fred I also worked on the Esso Gippsland, the three Traders and others.
As an electrical apprentice and tradesman all the electrical cables were double rubber insulated with the outer layer being asbestos. If my memory serves me correctly you are correct in saying E.D employed around 1,000 employees. There were between 40 and 60 electricians employed as subcontractors.