When I started on the Brisbane Metro in the tunnelling industry about a year and a half ago, I had  no real experience and was unsure what to expect. I was working in civil construction at another  site at the time, awaiting my transition into tunnelling once my contract was finalised. It was  during a company safety day that I first met Dallas Adams. He had been invited to present his  Why Safety Matters (WSM) program, and it was through that initiative that I first saw his deep  expertise and commitment to safety in high-risk environments. 

During the safety day, Dallas shared his experiences with tunnelling, electrical work, and  construction—all industries that carry high risks. His presentation immediately stood out to me,  not only because of the passion he conveyed but also because of his well-established reputation  as a role model in the field. It was clear that Dallas had the credentials to be a mentor and was  highly regarded for his ability to facilitate training programs that were grounded in real-world  experience. 

Soon after, I was fortunate enough to be placed on shift with Dallas when I transitioned into  tunnelling. From the very beginning, Dallas was clear that we would start with the basics. He  didn’t rush me into things I wasn’t ready for but made sure that everything I did was done properly  and to the best of my ability. He emphasised the importance of doing things right from the start,  no matter how simple the task, which set the foundation for everything I’ve learned since then. 

Dallas was always patient with me and encouraged me to ask questions. He didn’t expect me to  know everything right away but wanted me to learn at my own pace. At the same time, he made it  clear that not everyone on the crew would be as understanding. There was an expectation from  the others that I would pull my weight and prove my value, especially given that this was my first  time working in such a well-paying industry. That pressure was there, but Dallas helped me  manage it by ensuring I had the skills and knowledge I needed to perform. 

One of the most valuable lessons Dallas taught me was about the financial realities of working in  tunnelling. He would often remind me of the financial pressures that come with earning good  money in this industry and the importance of being smart about managing it. He warned me that  while it might be tempting to spend the money unwisely, especially at a young age, understanding  the true value of investing wisely early on was crucial. 

Dallas even gave me a book called Barefoot Investor and encouraged me to read it. He told me  that if I could grasp the basics of saving and investing, I would be better off than many of the  older tunnellers who never gave much thought to their financial futures. He emphasised that by  thinking smarter now, I could avoid the trap of "playing catch-up" later in life when other  pressures, like family and mortgages, start to build up. His advice on this front was invaluable,  and thanks to him, I’ve developed a much more responsible approach to my earnings and long term financial stability. 

In addition to the work and financial lessons, Dallas helped me develop my problem-solving skills.  He would often ask me what I thought about a particular task or situation and encouraged me to  work through problems on my own, while always being available for guidance. By giving me a  basic rundown of the process and the sequence of tasks, he made sure I understood the bigger  picture and why each step mattered. 

Some of the jobs he gave me weren’t the most glamorous—often they were tasks that no one else  wanted to do. But looking back, I realise how important those jobs were. They built my character  and showed the rest of the crew that I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty. Dallas believed in  pushing me through those moments, knowing they would give me the grit and determination  needed to succeed in tunnelling, as well as the skills I would carry forward into the rest of my  career. 

Regards Ethan Phillips