Gina Gina: Mythmaking – episode 6
May 11, 2025
In this conversation with Bernard Lagan, a seasoned journalist for The Times, the focus is on the complex legacy of Australia's mining history. They dissect Lang Hancock's controversial origins in blue asbestos mining at Wittenoom and its devastating health impacts. The haunting stories of former residents seeking justice add depth to this narrative. They also tackle the Hancock family's dual legacy, celebrating their successes while confronting the darker repercussions of their mining ventures, including the cultural toll on Indigenous communities.
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Episode notes
Discovery Flight As Family Myth
- The Hancock family's discovery-flight story is central to their public myth and claims of finders' rights.
- Journalists and records cast doubt on key details, showing the narrative was likely embellished.
Wittenoom's Industrial Scale And Harm
- Wittenoom became Australia's largest blue asbestos export site under CSR, producing massive tailings and long-term harm.
- The site later became synonymous with thousands of deaths from mesothelioma and environmental contamination.
Hancock's Early Asbestos Operation
- Lang Hancock and Peter Wright started mining blue asbestos at Wittenoom in the 1930s and set up a small operation by 1938.
- They sold a majority stake to CSR in 1943 and fully exited by 1948, though Lang remained involved earlier.
