Biography of Mr Tom Farrell

"Many of the major parks and reserves that are taken for granted today by the people of the Hunter might never have come into existence were it not for Mr Farrell and those whom he inspired with his indomitable energy. Blackbutt Reserve, Mount Sugarloaf, Barrington Tops and Myall Lakes - all of these were wrestled against great odds from reluctant authorities with the help of Tom Farrell's relentless insistence. Newcastle has borne many fine children, Tom Farrell was one of its finest." (Obituary, The Newcastle Herald 29 July 1996 p.10).

Mr R.E. (Tom) Farrell (1904-1996), an "extraordinary powerhouse of a man", could be considered one of the founding fathers of the University of Newcastle. Tom made an invaluable contribution to the conservation of the Hunters' nature reserves including Blackbutt, Barrington Tops and Mount Sugarloaf.

He was born in Brisbane in 1904 and came to Newcastle as a child, attending Cook's Hill Junior High School. He worked at a timber merchant and as a Junior Clerk at the State Dockyards before accepting an appointment at the Newcastle Abattoirs in 1921. He remained an officer of the Newcastle Abattoir for 47 years, a qualified meat inspector and accountant and was appointed General Manager in February 1966. He retired in November 1968.

Tom was a Director of the Greater Newcastle Building Society for many years, proving himself to be an astute businessman. He was also a keen surfer and footballer and was an enthusiastic member of local clubs throughout his life. He served with the R.A.A.F. from 1942 to 1946 where, upon discharge, he held the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Tom had considerable influence among business and civic leaders and he used this to advantage, exerting pressure on the NSW Government to establish a University College in Newcastle in 1951. Later, he was instrumental in having the State Government acquire land at Shortland, thus opening the way for the University to move from the overcrowded site at Tighes Hill to the campus at Shortland. In 1988 the University granted him an Honorary Master of Arts.

Tom Farrell was one of Newcastle's early environmentalists. When a branch of the National Parks Movement was formed in Sydney during the early 1920s, he joined it, and was for many years the only member that lived outside of Sydney. He served as Vice President of the Northern Parks and Playgrounds Movement and was closely associated with Hunter Valley National Parks Association. He was responsible for bringing the Movement to Newcastle in 1952, where it continues to work at safeguarding the environmental heritage of the region.

During the 1930s, Tom and Joe Richley successfully lobbied New Lambton Council to have the area known as Blackbutt Reserve set aside as public recreation space. Later, in the 1960s and early 1970s, he was prominent in the successful campaign to prevent a highway being built though Blackbutt Reserve. He remained a member of the Blackbutt Reserve Committee and for many years spent much time and energy ensuring that the bushland reserve was protected.

Adapted from 'The Tom Farrell Papers' by Ross Edmunds and Gionni diGravio.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/archives/archives/tomfarrell.html