Vale Jim Macfadyen, former ETU NSW ACT Branch President

Jim first joined the ETU as an electrician with the Water Board in 1964, becoming a delegate with Sydney Water in 1986.

An active participant in the Union, Jim was first elected as NSW President of the union in 1999, serving its members as President, National Councillor and Executive Member until 2017. He became a life member of the ETU NSW/ACT in 2005, and in 2013 he became an Honorary Member.

As ETU NSW/ACT Branch President he was involved with memorable campaigns, including the Your Rights at Work campaign which put an end to the Howard Government’s WorkChoices laws and the ‘Stop the Sell Off’ campaign which fought to save the NSW electricity network from privatisation.

Jim once said: “While we don’t always win, I know it is right to stand up and fight for what you believe in because if organisations such as unions are not there to fight for workers and the community, the government of the day is never held accountable.”

He was known as a true gentleman, clear-headed and grounded and was well-liked and respected by all. He was known to delegates in the union as very supportive, and someone who would always come and see how things were going in your patch.

Jim was also involved in local politics as an ALP Councillor at Gosford Council from 2004 to and Mayor for Gosford Council from 2007-8, with stints as Deputy Mayor. He became a life member of the ALP and was a regular at the ALP State Conference.

Through it all he was a tireless advocate for electrical workers and urged ETU members and his local constituents to stand up and fight back against proposed job cuts and privatisation plans for the electricity network.

He was also heavily involved with his local Surf Life Saving Club at Killcare where he held many positions and became a life member of the SLSCC.

A legend of the branch and the union movement, Jim will forever be remembered by those who knew him, and the many people whose lives he affected.