Asbestos exposure doesn’t announce itself. It lurks silently, often undetected for decades, until it strikes with devastating force. For a former Mackay mother, Leah Smith, this invisible killer stole her life just eight months after her diagnosis with mesothelioma, a rare and incurable cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. Her family, friends, and community were left heartbroken, but they refused to let her story end there.
To honour Leah’s life and raise awareness of the hidden dangers of asbestos, her loved ones have created a national event: Ride in Shorts for Leah. This heartfelt tribute reflects Leah’s vibrant spirit and her love of horses, while also serving as a powerful reminder of the ongoing risks of asbestos exposure. Through this campaign, Leah’s legacy will not only live on but will inspire others to protect themselves and their families from a preventable tragedy.
Leah Smith, who tragically lost her battle with mesothelioma, pictured enjoying one of her greatest passions—riding horses, a legacy now honoured through the Ride in Shorts for Leah campaign. Photo supplied
Every year more than 4000 Australians die from asbestos-related diseases.
In 2024, mother of two, Leah Smith from Mackay, was among them because she’d been exposed to asbestos fibres as a 3-year-old while pottering around the new family home her parents were building, unaware Leah was inhaling asbestos fibres which would one day take her life.
In 2023, when 48-year-old Leah began struggling to breathe with an unknown illness, she and her loved ones could not have imagined that the tests she underwent on her 49th birthday would reveal malignant mesothelioma - a deadly cancer caused by her exposure to asbestos fibres as a child.
Sadly, on 22 August 2024, just eight months and one day after Leah’s diagnosis, her husband Phillip and their family were left devastated when Leah lost her battle with this terrible, but preventable, disease.
Clare Collins, Chair of Advocacy Australia and the Asbestos Education Committee said, “When Leah was little, asbestos-containing building and decorator products were popular among young couples when building their own homes, not knowing they could be risking their lives and the lives of their children.”
“What most people don’t know is that although asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003, asbestos had been used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products that could still be lurking in any brick, fibro, weatherboard, clad home, apartment or shed built before 1990.
“Asbestos is not only in fibro sheeting. It could be under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels. It was used everywhere!
“With many of these products remaining in 1-in-3 Aussie homes, if disturbed during renovations, demolition or maintenance, they pose a serious health risk to whoever is present or nearby,” she said.
Leah’s husband, Phillip Smith said, “Until Leah was diagnosed with this hideous disease, we knew a little bit about asbestos, but we’d never even heard of mesothelioma or that it was caused by asbestos fibres.
“Don’t think this can’t happen to you. Everyone needs to stop and assess their premises before renovating or demolishing structures to identify the potential dangers that may lie within,” he said.
“Importantly, if you do have any breathing issues and there is the slightest chance that you may have been exposed to asbestos, make sure you notify your Doctor, as they don’t regularly associate asbestos to illnesses unless told so,” Mr Smith said.
“Until someone you know is affected by it, most wouldn’t know much about it, either because there’s less awareness of mesothelioma than there is for other cancers like breast, skin and prostate cancer.
“With mesothelioma diagnosed between 20 and 40 years after exposure, to help save lives, one of Leah’s wishes was to create awareness of asbestos and the diseases associated with it,” said Mr Smith.
“With no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, the only way we can prevent asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma, is to increase awareness of the dangers of asbestos and how to manage it safely,” he said.
“Everyone who knew Leah, knows how deeply she loved animals, particularly horses. She was extremely well known in our local horse community, so we’ve created an event for people to learn about asbestos while doing what Leah loved - riding in shorts and a singlet or T-shirt when not competing,” he said.
“When it came to creating an asbestos awareness event in Leah’s honour, we thought what better way to do it than through inviting all horse lovers to have fun with their horses and friends and Ride in Shorts for Leah,” said Mr Smith.
“I’m doing this for my beautiful wife to increase life-saving awareness about the dangers of asbestos and to raise vital funds to support the Asbestos Education Committee’s national Asbestos Awareness campaign.”
Phillip hopes to make “Ride in Shorts for Leah”, a national annual event and has started a Facebook page and a Facebook event where people can learn how to hold a “Ride in Shorts for Leah” event, take photographs and upload them to share their celebration of Leah’s life while raising funds and increasing awareness of the dangers of asbestos in their communities.
“If everyone from across Australia who loves horses, gets involved through their local equestrian or horse-riding group, together we can make a positive impact in creating awareness of asbestos to help save lives while honouring my beautiful wife who loved horses and riding with a passion,” said Mr Smith.
The inaugural “Ride in Shorts for Leah” event will run from 7-15 December. To mark Leah’s 50th Birthday on 11 December, Phillip, Leah’s family and friends will ‘Ride in Shorts for Leah’ in Mackay and are encouraging people to make a tax-deductible donation via: www.mycause.com.au/ride-in-shorts
Clare Collins welcomed the initiative saying, “Because Australia was one of the highest consumers of asbestos-containing materials globally, the importance of continuing to increase awareness and developing practical resources that build community knowledge about asbestos cannot be overstated.
“When it comes to asbestos-containing materials, if sealed and in good, stable condition they don’t pose a health risk. However, when disturbed during demolition, renovation or maintenance and microscopic fibres are released, this can lead to a range of life-threatening diseases including malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer, while evidence suggests links to ovarian and laryngeal cancers and increased risk of breast, stomach and colon cancers.
“The main message we want people to hear is what NOT to do with asbestos!
“Don’t cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! Don’t dump it! And whatever you do... Don’t remove it yourself!”
With many Australians still unaware of asbestos risks and the asbestos-related death toll predicted to rise, the Asbestos Education Committee is urging Australians to visit asbestosawareness.com.au because it’s not worth the risk.
DONATION LINK: www.mycause.com.au/ride-in-shorts
Leah Smith, just two months before losing her courageous battle with mesothelioma, pictured with her beloved family—her greatest source of strength and joy. Photos supplied
A young Leah Smith, just five years old, full of curiosity and energy, unaware that her early years spent on her parents' building site would lead to a tragic battle with mesothelioma decades later
Leah Smith’s memory lives on through the Ride in Shorts for Leah event on 11 December 2024, raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos
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