Wollongong City Council was one of only two councils to receive a national gong at the Betty Awards, which marks Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1-7).

Wollongong won the Most Active Asbestos Awareness Month Council Campaigner: Regional NSW and received a national Highly Commended award for Most Innovative Asbestos Awareness Month Council Campaigner.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery praised all involved, especially the hard work and enthusiasm of fellow councillor Jill Merrin who worked closely on council's campaign team to raise awareness of asbestos.

"Betty is a small van which carries with her a big message - the message of a silent killer that can be found in many houses and workplaces.

"To raise awareness of this killer, asbestos, council again provided an active and encouraging campaign," Cr Bradbery said.

The national Betty Awards are awarded by the Asbestos Education Committee and Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) for significant contribution to community education during National Asbestos Awareness Month.

Committee chairman Peter Dunphy praised Wollongong City Council for going "above and beyond" in their community to help them understand asbestos and teach them safe practices.

"With one in three Australian homes containing asbestos in some form or another, with this invaluable support of councils together we are educating more Australians than ever before about the dangers of asbestos and how to manage it safely," Mr Dunphy said.

Wollongong's 2014 campaign included distributing media through traditional and non-traditional mediums, including contacting Bunnings directly to supply brochures to every store in the local government area.

They also funded 15 bus shelters which displayed the Asbestos Awareness "Don't Play Renovation Roulette" messages.

The council also hosted Betty and her second birthday party and invited local media to meet Betty and cover the asbestos awareness message.

Information: www.asbestosawareness.com.au