Monday 13 October 2025
Join us for the upcoming VIC Branch Occupational Lung Disease (OLD) Dinner Meeting focusing on 'Occupational Lung Disease: The pathways to Compensation in Victoria'
Event Details
Venue
Roccella
158 Clarendon St
East Melbourne 3002
Time
Arrival: 6:30pm
Departure: 9:00pm
Speakers
Dr. Ryan Hoy
presenting on 'Silicosis in Victoria: an update’
A/Prof. Eli Dabscheck
participating in the 'Case Study - Panel Discussion'
A/Professor Eli Dabscheck is a respiratory and sleep physician at Alfred Hospital and Epworth sleep Centre. He is the co chair of the national COPD guidelines. A/Professor Dabscheck has been involved in medicolegal assessments for worksafe Victoria since 2017 and he is a member of the medical panels.
The Legal panel
The Legal Panel will lead the discussion on 'Legal perspectives on access to compensation and what’s involved in appearing at Court as a Medical expert’
Ms. Jane McDermott
For over 25 years, Jane has successfully represented asbestos victims and their families across Australia, particularly in Victoria and South Australia. Throughout this period, she has also passionately advocated for reforms to secure and improve access to justice for asbestos victims. This work has given Jane a deep insight into the difficulties clients and their families face when they are dealt the blow of an asbestos related illness or occupational lung condition.
Jane is highly experienced and always provides compassionate legal advice her clients need and deserve. Jane has a detailed understanding of the medical conditions related to past asbestos and silica exposure and actively follows developments in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions to maximise her clients’ results.
Jane’s commitment to her work is evidenced by McDermott Richards Lawyers pledge to annually donate to medical, scientific and allied health research and programs that seek to support victims of occupational lung conditions and their families.
Ms. Karen Richards
Karen is committed to advocating for those who have been injured as a result of their employment due to past exposure to asbestos or silica dust and to ensuring they get the compensation they deserve.
She works hard to ensure her client’s experience of the legal system is as straight forward as possible given all that they are going through apart from their legal claim.
McDermot Richards Lawyers believe everyone deserves to feel valued, heard and supported.
Mr. John T. (Jack) Rush AO RFD KC
Jack Rush is a distinguished barrister whose career spans trial and appellate advocacy across all areas of common law. Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1992, he was later elevated to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2013, though he returned to practice at the Bar two years later. His career includes significant contributions to major inquiries. In 2004, he represented victims and unions in the NSW Special Inquiry into the James Hardie corporate restructure. He was senior counsel assisting the Royal Commission into the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and, in 2012, was appointed Commissioner of the State Services Authority to review Victoria Police, recommending sweeping reforms that were fully implemented. In 2019, he served as senior counsel assisting the IBAC Inquiry into police handling of the Silk/Miller murder investigation.
Rush also has an extensive career in military law. A Rear Admiral in the Royal Australian Navy, he was appointed Judge Advocate General of the ADF in 2021, following service as Deputy Judge Advocate General – Navy. He has appeared in numerous courts martial and Defence Force inquiries, representing families and assisting in high-profile investigations, including the 2005 Nias Sea King helicopter crash, the 2006 Black Hawk crash, and the 2008 inquiry into the loss of HMAS Sydney.
Registration Fees:
- TSANZ Members - Free
- Non-Members - $120 incl. GST
Registration fees are in AUD
Registrations and notice of dietary requirements are essential. Registration will close on Sunday 5 October 2025.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Code of Conduct
Attendees are required to adhere to the TSANZ Code of Conduct at all TSANZ meetings and events.
Event Cancellation
If you register to attend the meeting and are no longer able to attend, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing TSANZevents@thoracic.org.au. The TSANZ Member Refund and Cancellation policy can be read here.
Attendee Criteria
Please note that attendance at this event is not open to the general public or consumers. Employees of pharmaceutical, medical technology, or medical device companies—as well as individuals employed by organisations with a commercial, service-based, or charitable interest in respiratory or sleep health (such as charities, law firms, consultancies, or training providers)—may only attend if their organisation is an official event sponsor or they have received explicit approval from TSANZ Head Office. This aligns with the TSANZ Partner Member category, which outlines that Partner Members are not eligible to attend Branch or TSANZ-sponsored events unless explicitly permitted. If you are unsure about your eligibility or would like to discuss sponsorship options, please contact us at TSANZevents@thoracic.org.au.
Thank you to our generous sponsor
Contact Us
Address
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760 Pacific Highway
Chatswood, NSW 2067
Phone
02 9170 2630