'Mr Fluffy'
our voices
Who was 'Mr Fluffy'?
The name 'Mr Fluffy' sounds quite innocuous - almost friendly and playful.
Ironically then, in the suburbs of Canberra, the name 'Mr Fluffy' can evoke memories of fear, loss and regret. Alongside these effects, the ‘Mr Fluffy’ events leave a significant legacy of community and government actions. The story continues to have a profound effect on the lives of many ACT residents.
‘Mr Fluffy’ was the name coined for the business of D. Jansen & Co. Pty Ltd. and its successor firms – that installed loose fill asbestos as insulation between 1968 and 1980 in Canberra and the surrounding region.
Advertisements at the time, often using the product name ‘Asbestosfluf’, promised ‘sure comfort and fuel savings’ to homeowners eager to find a bargain in the then competitive Canberra home insulation market. ‘Mr Fluffy’ customers paid less than $100 to insulate an average-sized house with what was claimed to be ‘CSIRO Tested and Approved’ and as ‘the perfect thermal insulating material’. The ‘Mr Fluffy’ / ‘Asbestosfluf’ ads also promised increased value on any insulated home, and ironically perhaps, that the material would be ‘effective forever’.
Anecdotally, a business practice of D. Jansen & Co. Pty Ltd. was to approach neighbours of a property planning to undergo installation of ‘Mr Fluffy’, and offer a group discount, as efficiencies could be gained when working on properties in close proximity.
Newspaper advertisement for ‘Asbestosfluf’ c1970 Courtesy of ACT Government
Newspaper advertisement for ‘Asbestosfluf’ c1970 Courtesy of ACT Government
What was 'Asbestosfluf'?
The loose fill asbestos insulation product.
The material used by ‘Mr Fluffy’ comprised raw asbestos, which was imported by D. Jansen & Co. Pty Ltd. The asbestos was crushed and blown into roof cavities, and allowed to settle across the ceilings of more than 1000 Canberra homes. Community members recall that ‘Mr Fluffy’ and successor firms may have sold the sacks of pure asbestos fibres directly to members of the public to insulate their own homes.
The ‘Asbestosfluf’ loose fill insulation product was comprised of amosite (brown or grey asbestos). Additional investigation has also identified instances of crocidolite (blue asbestos), which is claimed to pose an even greater risk to health than amosite.
In Canberra in the late 1960s and 1970s, the insulation products of ‘Mr Fluffy’ competed with materials such as ‘Rockwool’, which were safer and more stable.
Asbestos had been utilised in building materials in Australia for many decades, but unlike the loose fill asbestos used by ‘Mr Fluffy’, these materials were mostly in a ‘bonded’ form which produces no loose fibres if undisturbed.
Graffiti on the interior of a loose fill asbestos affected property prepared for demolition in the Canberra suburb of Macgregor. Jennifer Nagy, 2016
Graffiti on the interior of a loose fill asbestos affected property prepared for demolition in the Canberra suburb of Macgregor. Jennifer Nagy, 2016
Where was 'Mr Fluffy'?
‘Mr Fluffy’ loose fill asbestos insulation was predominantly installed throughout the ACT region; however, cases of ‘Mr Fluffy’ have also been identified within NSW. More than 1000 ‘Mr Fluffy’ houses were identified throughout the ACT.
Mapping of Canberra houses identified with ‘Mr Fluffy’ insulation shows clusters of affected houses in the same streets and suburbs. Anecdotally, ‘Mr Fluffy’ appears to have used a business practice of directly approaching neighbours of a property that was already planning ‘Mr Fluffy’ insulation. This may explain some of the concentrations of affected properties.
As the ‘Mr Fluffy’ companies are believed to have sold sacks of loose-fill asbestos directly to members of the public for ‘Do-It-Yourself’ installations, it is possible that more houses will be identified in the future.
‘Mr Fluffy’ insulation was originally blown into the cavities between ceilings and roofs of houses. It has been established that loose fill asbestos insulation fibres can migrate within people’s homes, including into living areas, cornices and built-in cupboards.
Under the ACT Government’s Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme, the ACT Government offered to buy back and demolish affected properties.
Homes that continue to be impacted by loose fill asbestos insulation are required by law to have information at the front of their property to alert visitors and workers.
Zoom in to view the map. This map does not show the exact locations but is a representation of the cluster and spread of 'Mr Fluffy' properties across the ACT.
Zoom in to view the map. This map does not show the exact locations but is a representation of the cluster and spread of 'Mr Fluffy' properties across the ACT.
The Trouble with Asbestos
The word asbestos is
derived from a Greek word
meaning ‘indestructible’.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals, made up of very fine crystals or fibres. It has been mined and utilised since ancient times and is still mined in some countries.
Asbestos is an excellent thermal insulator and it will not burn. Due to its properties it has readily lent itself to many modern industrial purposes including textiles, paints, vehicle parts, and building materials.
Tiny asbestos fibres can be inhaled and get in to the smallest of airways. These can irritate lung tissue and cannot be cleared by the lungs, causing inflammation, scarring and serious diseases, which can take many years or even decades to develop.
The three commonly used types of asbestos are amosite (brown or grey asbestos) chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos).
The ‘Asbestosfluf’ insulation product was comprised largely of amosite with some instances of crocidolite, – recognised as the more harmful asbestos fibres. The material was made up of bagged asbestos imported by D. Jansen & Co. Pty Ltd. from the Cape Asbestos mine in South Africa. The ‘Mr Fluffy’ workers installed the loose fill asbestos by mechanically blowing and spreading the product into roof cavities.
The Canberra climate with its prolonged winter cold and periods of extreme summer heat meant that the ‘Asbestosfluf’ insulation was seemingly well-received for its purpose at the time. Heating and cooling became cheaper and more effective for ‘Mr Fluffy’ customers who were unaware of the health risks. ‘Word of mouth’ recommendations for the effectiveness of the product appear to have been an important factor in the success of the ‘Mr Fluffy’ business.
Asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003. It is now illegal to store, sell, install or re-use any products containing asbestos in Australia, and no asbestos products may be imported.
This photograph shows an asbestos-packed wall cavity and a close-up of the loose fibres. Photo courtesy of ACT Government.
This photograph shows an asbestos-packed wall cavity and a close-up of the loose fibres. Photo courtesy of ACT Government.
An unremediated roof space of an affected property. Photo courtesy of Robson Environmental.
An unremediated roof space of an affected property. Photo courtesy of Robson Environmental.
Keys - this installation has been constructed from some of the many thousands of keys from demolished 'Mr Fluffy' affected houses in Canberra. "It was when I had to hand the keys over prior to the demolition, that the sense of loss finally sunk in." Anonymous former 'Mr Fluffy' homeowner.
Keys - this installation has been constructed from some of the many thousands of keys from demolished 'Mr Fluffy' affected houses in Canberra. "It was when I had to hand the keys over prior to the demolition, that the sense of loss finally sunk in." Anonymous former 'Mr Fluffy' homeowner.
Mosaic tile fragments
Kim Grant
Canberra artist Kim Grant was the resident of a 'Mr Fluffy' house. She created mosaic work on the side of her house in dedication to her father. Kim's artwork was largely destroyed with the house, only these fragments remain.
Pen and ink drawing rendering of a Canberra house in the suburb of Duffy commissioned by homeowner Ermelindo. The house was affected by 'Mr Fluffy' insulation and demolished. The drawing now hangs proudly in Ermelindo's new Canberra residence.
Pen and ink drawing rendering of a Canberra house in the suburb of Duffy commissioned by homeowner Ermelindo. The house was affected by 'Mr Fluffy' insulation and demolished. The drawing now hangs proudly in Ermelindo's new Canberra residence.
Untitled Steel Sculpture
John Topfer
Sculptor John Topfer lived in a 'Mr Fluffy' house in Corree, ACT. This steel sculpture was created by John to reflect his family's resilience during the 2003 bushfires that affected the area. Following the surrender of his house for the asbestos demolition program, Topfer donated the sculpture to the ACT Government. The work now stands as a symbol of both the bushfires disaster and 'Mr Fluffy' crisis.
John Topfer continues his art practice in Tasmania.
"In view of the harmful nature of this substance, the use of asbestos fluff for the purpose of insulating should be discontinued, and less hazardous material, such as rockwool, insulwool or fibreglass should be substituted."
Arthur D Spears, Acting Director, Department of Works, December 20, 1968.
"We knew this house had asbestos but the (sale) contract said it had been removed years ago, so we thought it was safe"
Chris, from Ainslie 2014
"The simple fact is that on May 20, 2014 we lost our family home. It consumes my thoughts."
Elisa, from Duffy 2015
"We feel embarrassed and ashamed that we are one of the unfortunate families who live within the walls of 'one of those Mr Fluffy houses', and all the stigma associated with it."
Sharon and Damien, from Flynn 2014
"This family home is the only financial asset I have. Emotionally it harbours all bitter and sweet memories of living, which I cherish dearly. I had no plans of selling this house ever - for this is the anchor for me and for my children...There is no measure of sadness and stress caused to me when I was made to realise the unfit condition of the house because of loose fill asbestos."
Catherine, from Fisher 2014
"I accepted offers of clothes, shoes and coats...Through the generosity of neighbours, we accessed showers and laundry facilities...I was reduced to tears regularly...I learned new terms like 'amosite', 'negative air' and 'friable conditions', and how to use them. I also learned that this situation wasn't covered by insurance. I cried still more."
Fiona, from Ainslie 2014
"We not only attented our houses demolition, but decided to treat it as a kind of wake. We bought along a bottle of bubbly and made a toast as the first blow was struck to the roof, somehow that made it all feel a little bit better. It was a wet morning and we really must have been a sight standing under a big umbrella, glasses in hand while cheering to a bulldozer!"
Linda, from Charnwood 2023
"There will always be a hollow feeling knowing that a home with so many lovely memories will be gone. Our beautiful garden will be gone...the loss is huge but we move on to a bright future."
Anonymous, from Mawson 2014
"Moving was the last thing on our minds, and we were devastated as we had no idea of the Mr Fluffy (legacy in our house). In our documents was a small piece of paper saying that asbestos had been removed, so we assumed all was well. We have now moved on and enjoy our new house, but the community we lost can never be recreated."
Carol, from Weston 2014
These quotes are mostly from residents whose homes were directly affected by loose fill asbestos insulation. They are drawn from various sources including FORAG Impact Statement 2014, the book More than Bricks & Mortar (2015), archived news articles and from interviews conducted for the Canberra Museum and Gallery exhibition in 2023.
Visitor contributions at the 'Mr Fluffy' our voices exhibition held at the Canberra Museum and Gallery 2023
The viewpoints expressed below are the personal opinions of visitors to the exhibition.
"I sometimes wish I could visit my childhood home, but it's sad to see it no longer standing. Last I saw it was from behind a metal fence unable to even walk in in my front garden."
"I sometimes wish I could visit my childhood home, but it's sad to see it no longer standing. Last I saw it was from behind a metal fence unable to even walk in in my front garden."
Hand drawn picture of a house from a visitor at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Hand drawn picture of a house from a visitor at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
"An excellent exhibition, whilst not a Mr Fluffy homeowner I do have friends who were - their lives have been impacted, significantly. My heart goes out to all affected in the ACT. However we must remember homeowners elsewhere in Australia who are getting no help in relation to loose fill asbestos in their homes."
"An excellent exhibition, whilst not a Mr Fluffy homeowner I do have friends who were - their lives have been impacted, significantly. My heart goes out to all affected in the ACT. However we must remember homeowners elsewhere in Australia who are getting no help in relation to loose fill asbestos in their homes."
"Scary real. Tradesmen still in 2023 refuse to work on older houses (just in case)."
"Scary real. Tradesmen still in 2023 refuse to work on older houses (just in case)."
"As a Canberra electrician, my father lost his life to mesothelioma in 2014 at age 70. Crawling around in the roof spaces of Mr Fluffy homes likely contributed to his early death. I am pleased that future generations of tradespeople will not be exposed to the asbestos insulation that we have been. I do not have ill feelings towards the Government of the day for the handling of this mess. I am pleased the houses are gone. I sympathise with all those affected but am pleased it is over."
"As a Canberra electrician, my father lost his life to mesothelioma in 2014 at age 70. Crawling around in the roof spaces of Mr Fluffy homes likely contributed to his early death. I am pleased that future generations of tradespeople will not be exposed to the asbestos insulation that we have been. I do not have ill feelings towards the Government of the day for the handling of this mess. I am pleased the houses are gone. I sympathise with all those affected but am pleased it is over."
"Our daughter and son-in-law were very traumatised learning they had bought a Mr Fluffy house. They loved the house and their neighbours but had to move. Very traumatic."
"Our daughter and son-in-law were very traumatised learning they had bought a Mr Fluffy house. They loved the house and their neighbours but had to move. Very traumatic."
"We were lucky enough to purchase a Mr Fluffy block in Curtin. We were very aware of the trauma that former owners must have experienced - and with that in mind we have built a sustainable home that sits happily on the block. We have spoken with our neighbours about the previous owners and the process of demolition... your block lives on."
"We were lucky enough to purchase a Mr Fluffy block in Curtin. We were very aware of the trauma that former owners must have experienced - and with that in mind we have built a sustainable home that sits happily on the block. We have spoken with our neighbours about the previous owners and the process of demolition... your block lives on."
"Houses in circus tents is a defining memory of my time living in Canberra in the era when the initial Mr Fluffy removal program was underway."
"Houses in circus tents is a defining memory of my time living in Canberra in the era when the initial Mr Fluffy removal program was underway."
"A really important Canberra story! I feel bad for the Fluffy residents."
"A really important Canberra story! I feel bad for the Fluffy residents."
Hand drawn picture of a house from a visitor at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Hand drawn picture of a house from a visitor at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
"The ACT Government should be commended for it's strength and commitment under fire for destroying houses that potentially - could harm our future tradies. Thank you."
"The ACT Government should be commended for it's strength and commitment under fire for destroying houses that potentially - could harm our future tradies. Thank you."
"It was sad to walk around our suburb and see blocks razed to the ground, one on every street it seemed, like missing teeth among the houses."
"It was sad to walk around our suburb and see blocks razed to the ground, one on every street it seemed, like missing teeth among the houses."
"Horrific time in my career. Having to determine market value of property with such emotion which was raw. Houses may be gone, but they cannot take your memories!"
"Horrific time in my career. Having to determine market value of property with such emotion which was raw. Houses may be gone, but they cannot take your memories!"
Hand drawn picture of a house from a visitor at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Hand drawn picture of a house from a visitor at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Acknowledgements
This digital exhibition was curated by Ross Heathcote as part of 'Mr Fluffy' Legacy Projects to acknowledge and reflect on the impact of 'Mr Fluffy' loose fill asbestos insulation on the Canberra community.
The exhibition was hosted at the Canberra Museum and Gallery from July 2023 to October 2023.
Acknowledgments for this exhibition include:
- 'Mr Fluffy' Legacy Project working group
- Former Fluffy Owners Residents Action Group (FORAG First Impact Statement contributors)
- 'Mr Fluffy' Full Disclosure Group
- Artists Jennifer Nagy, John Topfer, Kim Grant, Narelle Phillips
- Afterglow Films
- Canberra Museum and Gallery
- A special thanks to the film interviewees Chris, Barbara, Ermelindo, Sue, Felicity, Patrick, Erin, Helen and Andy.
Concerned about asbestos?
If you think your property may contain loose fill asbestos insultation, or another type of asbestos, do not touch or move the material.
Call a licensed asbestos assessor who will confirm whether the material is asbestos and tell you what action to take.
See the Asbestos Advice Notice (678.6 KB) for more information on identifying where asbestos materials may be if a home was built before 1990.
More information
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