The South Australian Government is seeking names from the public. Photo: River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project, South Australian Government.
The South Australian Government is engaging in a tradition by seeking submissions from the public to name its tunnel-boring machines (TBMs), which will deliver the non-stop South Road as part of the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project.
Naming TBMs is a tradition dating back to the 16th century, and monikers chosen are traditionally female in honour of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of tunnellers.
Submissions so far have included:
- Julia Drillard
- Diggy Azalea
- The Drilltop Hoods
- Kath, Kim and Sharon
- Borer the Explorer
- Drillcilla Queen of the Dirt
- Aurora Bore-alis
- Bluey, Bingo and Chilli
- Ms Frog Cake
- Shovelina
- Mrs Diggity Dig Dig
- Tina Churner
- Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Giant Tunnel Boring Machiny.
Each machine bears its own name, continuing the custom that helps crews and communities identify with their particular piece of equipment.
Those who wish to add their own idea to the mix have until 5 pm on Sunday, 30 November, to submit the name with a short description of why it is fitting. Submissions can be given on the competition website.
The government said it was looking for names that captured “the spirit of protection, bravery and trailblazing”. In keeping with the tradition of using female names, the public is being prompted to think of inspiring women or local heroes who have had an impact on the community or the culture.
Popular submissions include:
- Mary MacKillop
- Erin Phillips
- Dame Roma Mitchell
- Julia Gillard
- Gladys Elphick
- Lowitja O’Donoghue
- Maggie Beer
- Catherine Helen Spence
- Mary Lee
- Doris Taylor
- Josie Agius
- Nicola Spurrier
- Marjorie Jackson-Nelson.
“While they probably won’t quite make the final cut, entries such as Julia Drillard, Diggy Azalea and Kath, Kim and Sharon have certainly made me laugh,” Assistant Minister to the Premier Emily Bourke said.
“While we love the banter, it’s been fantastic to see plenty of entries that are meaningful, memorable and proudly South Australian – something that captures the spirit of protection, bravery and trailblazing – just like our TBMs.”
Once entries have closed, a shortlist will be released for community voting, and winning submissions will be announced before tunnelling starts.
The TBM cutterhead, which arrived in Adelaide last month in five pieces, has been fully assembled so that the sections can be welded together.
At 15 metres in diameter and weighing about 300 tonnes, the cutterhead is the largest component of the TBM.
The T2D Project’s second TBM has received final approval to be shipped to South Australia, following a successful factory acceptance test in China.
The remaining components of the first TBM and the first components of the second one are expected to arrive in Adelaide by the end of the year.
Two TBMs will launch from the Southern Precinct to construct the twin 4.5 km southern tunnels, while a third machine will launch at Richmond to construct the twin 2.2 km northern tunnels.
