Safety advocate dies

By Lia Bichel
A DETERMINED advocate of workplace safety and devoted member of the Narre Warren Rotary Club passed away from breast cancer on 13 June.
Upwey resident Marion Mason spent the last 10 years promoting safe work habits after her husband died in a tragic work-related accident on 18 May, 1999.
She joined Industrial Deaths Support Advocacy (IDSA) four months after Clem’s death. The IDSA helps families and workmates who are traumatised by workplace deaths, promotes workplace safety, and advocates changes to laws to ensure people comply with safety rules.
Six months after her husband’s death, Ms Mason was diagnosed with breast cancer which the doctors said was caused by stress.
She underwent intravenous chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After the bout of cancer, she began telling her story at worksites and meetings, advocating for workplace safety.
She told the News in November 2008 that she felt it was something she needed to do.
“I needed to send the message that ordinary people like Clem could die on a worksite,” she said. “And I needed people to see how those accidents could affect others.”
Reliving the experience by telling her husband’s story was heart-breaking, Ms Mason said, but she found a cause and friendship at the Narre Warren Rotary Club.
“I found a whole new family in Rotary. I was able to cope with my grief better. The fellowship in the club just made life so much easier.”
In July 2008, Ms Mason received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
In between ISDA meetings, advocating for workplace safety, and involvement in Rotary Club activities, Marion learned she had advanced breast cancer, which had developed in her scar tissue. She underwent intravenous chemotherapy and a mastectomy in 2006.
The cancer returned in January this year and had spread to her lungs.
She told the News she was determined to keep spreading the message of workplace safety and continued to value every day.
The funeral will be held tomorrow (19 June) at 3pm at John Allison Monkhouse Chapel, corner of Stud Road and Burwood Highway in Wantirna.
Donations may be made to Industrial Deaths Support and Advocacy at the chapel.