Tom was born at Coogee on January, 8 1924 to Myrtle and George Johnson.
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He was the only son but did have three sisters of which Port Macquarie’s Kay Morrison is the youngest. There was a 22 year age gap between Kay and Tom.
Tom attended Randwick Boys High School and after leaving school took up an apprenticeship in his grandfather’s electrical contracting business, TP Johnson’s, which was the first electrical contracting business established in Sydney. Tom later became the managing director of this company.
During the Second World War, Tom joined the army and was sent to New Guinea, but because of his electrical trade, was brought back to Sydney to assist with the building of patrol boats on Green Island, near Parramatta.
He married his first wife, Barbara in the early 1950s and they bought a home at Gladesville. Barbara unfortunately passed away from cancer in 1974.
During the late seventies Tom relocated to Dunbogan and married his Lil in 1981.
They sold their house and became the very first residents of Dunbogan caravan park where they set up a mobile home.
During his time at Dunbogan Tom has proven himself to be a real achiever.
In 2001 Tom was awarded a Federal Government International Certificate of Recognition for Volunteering and a Hastings Council Australia Day Award for Community Service.
It was also in this year that Tom received recognition from Rainbow Reach Holiday Village Residents.
He was also awarded a Volunteer Rescue Association of NSW 25 Years Medal and the National Medal of Service from the Prime Minister and Cabinet for Service to the Community.
Tom and Lil both worked as Meals On Wheels as volunteers and they both received a Certificate of Appreciation in 2009.
They were both awarded an ARPRA Award which was in Appreciation of Dedication to the Service to Park Residents of ARPRA on the Mid North Coast.
Lil and Tom both joined the Camden Haven Marine Rescue in 1988. Tom manned the radio and assisted with sea rescues while Lil worked on the shed’s maintenance.
They were both awarded Life Membership of The Marine Rescue Squad in the 2000s.
Tom’s sister Kay paid tribute to her brother’s kindness, compassion, generosity, friendship, love and dedication to others.