Tom was born in Warragul in 1924 and, aged 10, helped his father, who managed sawmills in Loch Valley, to replace bridges in the Neerim area after the 1934 floods. Tom went on to work as a pulp cutter for Christenson in the Noojee area until the 1939 fires after which he worked in the sawmilling industry on timber salvage until the end of 1941.

As soon as he turned 18, Tom served in the Air Force as a fitter for the duration of World War II. On returning from the war he share-farmed in Noojee then had his own carrier business before returning to the timber industry as a faller for Kauri Timber Co. in the upper Tanjil area – working in the high country over summer and in the mill in winter.

Tom joined the Forests Commission as a fitter in the Noojee workshop in 1960. He was sent to Benalla with a promotion to Foreman in charge of the plant workshop. He was promoted again to Inspector of Plant in the Orbost Forest District where he served for 14 years before retiring.