James William Foots AO (1916 - 2010)

Born 12 Jul 1916 in Jamieson, Victoria, Australia

Husband of Thora Hope (Thomas) Foots — married 1939 in Victoria, Australia

Died 21 Aug 2010 at age 94 in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

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Biography

James Foots AO is Notable.

Sir James Foots AO FTSE HonFAusIMM MIMM FCIC was an Australian mining engineer, Chairman of Mount Isa Mines and Chancellor of the University of Queensland.

James Foots AO was born in Victoria, Australia

James William Foots was born on 12th July 1916 in Jamieson, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of William Foots,an explosives expert in the Jamieson gold mines, and Ethel May Allen. ^[1] His mother died when he was three, and he and his brother were raised by their grandparents.

James attended Coburg High School, where he completed his studies as the Dux of the school. He won a scholarship to attend the University of Melbourne, but was compelled to complete another matriculation year, as it was felt he was too young to attend university. He eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Mining Engineering degree in 1937.

He took up an appointment to the Zinc Corporation mine in Broken Hill.

James married Thora Thomas in 1939 in Victoria. ^[2]

During the Second World War, James, and colleague George Fisher worked on the creation of underground fuel storage tanks in Darwin during persistent bombing raids.

He returned to work in Captain's Flat and Broken Hill in 1946. In 1952 he moved to Mount Isa, Queensland, where he rose to general manager of Mount Isa Mines Limited in 1955, succeeding George Fisher. He continued to lead the company later as chief executive and chairman of MIM Holidings Ltd.

James was appointed to the Senate of The University of Queensland in 1970 and was chancellor of The University of Queensland from 1985 to 1992.

In the New Year Honours 1975, James was created Knight Bachelor 'in recognition of service to the mining industry in Queensland'. ^[3] In the Queen's Birthday Honours 1992, he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 'in recognition of service to the community and to business'. ^[4] For his service to Australian society in technological industries, James was also awarded the Centenary Medal on 1st January 2001. ^[5]

Aged 94 years and having been widowed for three months, he passed away on 21st August 2010 in Caloundra, Queensland. He was survived by his children and grandchildren.

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria Birth Index #21872/1916
2. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #15776/1939
3. ↑ Australian Honours: Knight Bachelor; accessed 29 Apr 2024
4. ↑ Australian Honours: AO; accessed 29 Apr 2024
5. ↑ Australian Honours: Centenary Medal; accessed 29 Apr 2024