Tom Garrett
- Born: Cir 1924, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
- Died: 30 Jul 2002 about age 78
Noted events in his life were:
• source. Carol & Dick Gall who note:
OBITUARY: Tom GARRETT (30 July 2002, aged approx. 78)
Tom was born in Rabaul and spent his early years on his family's plantation 'Varzin' in the Kokopo area. He was the grandson of T.W. Garrett, the test cricketer, and the uncle of Peter Garrett, of 'Midnight Oil' and conservation fame, who spoke at his funeral. Tom went straight from school to the RAAF, was training in Canada at 18 and had a distinguished service with a RAF squadron flying Liberators and based in Iceland, Ireland and the North of Scotland.
At war's end he returned to New Britain to rehabilitate 'Varzin', and remained until independence. He lived life to the full and soon became prominent in public, business, sporting and social affairs. Over the years he was President of the Planters Association, the Kokopo Sports Club, the New Britain Show Society, a member of the District Advisory Council, the Copra Stabilisation Board, the Vunapope Hospital Board and many other community organisations. He was an excellent sportsman. Back in Sydney in 1976 he joined the headquarters of Legacy as NSW Pensions Officer and Advocate and served with dedication, competence and compassion until he retired, reluctantly, because of ill health in 1997 at the age of 73. He is survived by his first wife Ann, their four children Tommy, Simon, Jodie and Katie, and his second wife Heather. Harry West
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