James Dudley Achurch (21 January 1928 – 5 November 2015)[1] was an Australian javelin thrower who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.

[2] He won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada.

[3] Achurch discovered his talent while growing up on a farm in New South Wales and throwing rocks and rabbits.

His father later sold the farm and purchased a tennis center, where James learned to play the game as well.

Over the years, Achurch worked in multiple professions, including running a passionfruit and pineapple farm, as well as a carriage builder, a house painter, and a wardsman, plus running maintenance contracts for Nambour General Hospital.