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The Missing Piece: How I became an accidental activist
Usually when a friend is dying, there’s not much you can do. But what if there was?
James O’Loghlin’s best friend at university was Jum Wallner, but once careers and kids came along, they drifted apart. That was, until the day Jum felt a pain in his side and remembered he had grown up in a house filled with ‘Mr Fluffy’ asbestos insulation.
Nearly everyone who contracts an asbestos disease gets it from their work and is entitled to compensation or financial support. Jum discovered that if you got one from your home, tough luck. You were on your own. Before he died, Jum wanted to change that.
James leapt at the chance to help him. But with zero lobbying experience, how were they going to persuade the ACT Labor Government and the Federal Liberal Government to work together to help the victims of the 1000 ‘Mr Fluffy’ houses? In the middle of Covid, how would they attract national media attention? Most importantly, as Jum’s illness worsened, could they get it done in time?
This is a story about amateurs figuring out how to influence government, how friendship can drift and then be found again, and how tragedy can make it clear what really matters.
James O’Loghlin’s best friend at university was Jum Wallner, but once careers and kids came along, they drifted apart. That was, until the day Jum felt a pain in his side and remembered he had grown up in a house filled with ‘Mr Fluffy’ asbestos insulation.
Nearly everyone who contracts an asbestos disease gets it from their work and is entitled to compensation or financial support. Jum discovered that if you got one from your home, tough luck. You were on your own. Before he died, Jum wanted to change that.
James leapt at the chance to help him. But with zero lobbying experience, how were they going to persuade the ACT Labor Government and the Federal Liberal Government to work together to help the victims of the 1000 ‘Mr Fluffy’ houses? In the middle of Covid, how would they attract national media attention? Most importantly, as Jum’s illness worsened, could they get it done in time?
This is a story about amateurs figuring out how to influence government, how friendship can drift and then be found again, and how tragedy can make it clear what really matters.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 15, 2026
A fantastic story. James clearly explains the complicated aspects of lobbying two governments for a compensation scheme for asbestos victims. Lots of nice anecdotes scattered throughout. I’m grateful to have been able to learn a lot more about a topic personally relevant for me.
July 11, 2026
A surprising book that actually becomes a masterclass in community activism and influencing government policy. Well worth reading when you have something you care about and want to make a difference.
August 1, 2026
James “Jum” Wallner was a work colleague and friend so this book about his struggle with mesothelioma contracted from childhood exposure to asbestos home insulation and the campaign his friends and family launched to provide compensation to those exposed to this risk through living in “Mr Fluffy” houses was very real and close for me. Jum was a huge cheery fellow with an enormous grin and a pleasure to be around. This is an important book with guidance on how this successful campaign was launched and run to be announced just days before Jum died.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews