By rosebell
Considering his role in the Silkyara Tunnel rescue, ITA past president Arnold Dix is a finalist for Australian of the Year 2026
Dix helped rescue 41 Indian workers from the tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand in the Himalayas in 2023.
Declaring to the world from the beginning that the trapped workers would be rescued, Arnold was the public face of the 17-day operation over the Silkyara Tunnel rescue. As a mission-critical decision that prevented further collapse, the operation switched to a slower, safer excavation technique after machinery failed under his expert technical leadership and guidance.
Arnold’s optimistic attitude and calm approach built the confidence that the workers would come out alive.
Offering expert advice on high-risk subterranean infrastructure and safety regulation, Arnold is an international tunneling expert and established underground works chambers and o
He also has worked as a geologist, lawyer and barrister.
In a LinkedIn post, Dix said:” Being a finalist is wonderful recognition for all the kind miners, tunnellers, ambos, police, and other volunteers and kind people around the world”.
He also acknowledged the hundreds of great people on the rescue team” and tunneling expert Chris Cooper.
The other Victorian finalists are Carrie Bickmore, who established the Brain Cancer Centre; Leila Sweeney-McDougall, a farmer’s health filmmaker; and Hugh van Cuylenburg, a mental health leader.
The scheduled date for announcing the winner of the Victorian title is November 6 and the Australian of the Year 2026 is due to be announced by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, on January 25.
