Petition launched to commemorate fallen NorthConnex Tunneller

A petition has been launched to name the NorthConnex tunnel after a much-loved and respected tunneller who lost his life on the project.

Jim Adams was 65 when he suffered a cardiac arrest after being struck by part of a pressurised pipe in 2017.

His workmates and family, who have a long and proud tradition of tunnelling, are now calling for the NorthConnex tunnel in Sydney’s north west to be named in his honour.

 

Jim Adams

It would be a fitting tribute to Jim, who was mentor to many in the industry and loved his life’s work, which began when he was just 18 years old in New Zealand.

His nephew Mark Adams, one of eight tunnellers in the family, said his uncle would have been ‘so proud’ to have the tunnel named after him.

Mark, who is working on the NorthConnex project and was there when his uncle lost his life, said: “It would be amazing to see his name up there.Jim was a teacher, a mentor and a leader to so many of us and he fully deserves this honour.”

Jim in his younger days

Tragically, Jim’s son James also died in a tunnelling incident when they were working together in Dartbrook Coal Mine in 2004. His surviving son Dallas, who retired from tunnelling, is now a work safety advocate.

Mark added: “Jim was 65 and was always saying this would be his last job and that he would head back home to New Zealand to retire. Whilst he loved his work, his real passion in life was his family, his wife Diane and grandchildren.

“It’s not just the NorthConnex crew who want to make this happen for Jim and his family. We have the backing of the entire tunnelling community. Despite being all over the country and on different projects, we are very tight and will always band together.”

Please sign and share the petition widely, so we can make this a reality.

 

Jim’s family, including Dallas Adams (left)