Dennis Ferrell

To Mr Ben Hills. I recently read Blue Murder. I believe it to be a false record of the Mining operation by ABA in Wittenoom. Obviously you never lived in Wittenoom in the operative years. the mood of workers and management was not as you have portrayed it in your distorted book. You have looked at the problem of Asbestos Diseases with a view obviously in Hindsight. I lived and worked in Wittenoom and can tell you I saw a lot of people come and go in the time that I spent there .At that time it was considered to be a lively place, League of Nations ,and a chance to make good money. I was employed originally as a trinee machine miner but my physique and attitude was not suited to underground work. With no redress what so ever I was to continue in employ as first a hand on the picking belt and then a Bagger in the mill. The conditions you quote in the book of the mill dust and braking down condition was not experienced by me in my term there . There was safety equipment for the asking. In later years I was afforded the full benefit of Bill Musks program of yearly examination of breathing patterns and xrays. Also when at WITTenoom if you showed any sign of lung problem you were paid 3000 pound and banned from working on the lease. I knew Brian O'neil personanlly and he was the reason I went to Wittenoom. I grieved with his family when he passed away. I fortunately have escaped the dreaded disease. You owe the good people of Wittenoom an apology for how you portrayed the community there. My rating Minus five stars