Safety matters

Financial wellbeing and safety

Dallas Adams shares his personal journey and the importance of planning for the future, both on and off the job.

Brisbane-based Cbus member Dallas Adams is passionate about helping people grow. A third generation tunneller, he’s spent more than 32 years working in high-risk environments.

His experiences, both personal and professional, have led him to create Why Safety Matters, a presentation series designed to connect emotionally with workforces through story-led education.

Dallas founded Why Safety Matters in 2017, after the tragic loss of his father, Jimmy, in a workplace incident. Years earlier, his older brother James was also killed in an underground mining accident. These heartbreaking events inspired Dallas to reflect deeply on safety, mental health, and financial wellbeing.

“These were life-changing losses for me and my family,” he says. “Sharing my story has been healing, but more importantly, it’s become a way to help others think about what they can do to look after themselves and those they care about, on site and at home.”

“It’s not your typical safety talk,” Dallas explains.

“It’s lived experience, both the good choices I’ve made, and the mistakes I’ve learned from. I try to get people thinking about their deeper ‘why’, their purpose for doing what they do and the reason they want to go home safe every day and make good decisions.”

Planning for the future

“Having the right insurance cover gives you peace of mind that your loved ones will be protected if something happens. If you’re injured or unable to work, knowing you have financial support makes all the difference.”

“Contributing extra to my super and taking advantage of compound interest has helped me build a more secure future.

“I took time to speak with the Cbus Advice team to better understand my investment options and make sure they
aligned with my long-term goals.”

Making financial literacy a priority

“I read books, listen to podcasts, and follow experts. The more you know, the more you grow and the more empowered you feel to make good decisions.”

One lesson that stuck with Dallas came from a retired workmate.

“I asked him how retirement was going, and he said it was a bit daunting at first not seeing that weekly wage coming in. Then he said, ‘You’ve got to start contributing to super early, because trying to catch up later is stressful. It’s easy to talk yourself out of it.’ That mindset needs to shift early in your career.”

Super support on site

Dallas appreciates the efforts of Cbus Coordinators like John Lomax, who visits work sites to offer practical help with super.

“John’s talks are always really engaging and full of useful information. I’d recommend anyone take the time to listen, you’ll always learn something new.”

A lasting legacy

Through Why Safety Matters, Dallas continues to honour his father and brother by inspiring others to take safety and planning seriously. His story is a powerful reminder that looking after yourself, mentally, physically, and financially, is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family.

“It’s about creating habits that set you on a positive path, not just in your career, but in life. If we can help people feel empowered to make better choices today, we can build a safer and more secure future for everyone.”