Lewis, Thomas Lancelot, 1922 –

Thomas Lancelot Lewis (1922- ), parliamentarian and farmer, was born at Adelaide, son of Major Lancelot Lewis and his wife Grace. He was educated at St. Peter's College Adelaide. He served in the AIF from 1940 to 1946, first in the Armoured Division and later in the Commando Squadron. After World War II he served as a diplomat in Washington for five years before becoming a farmer.

In 1957 Lewis was pre-selected by the Liberal Party for the state seat of Wollondilly following the resignation of the sitting member, Blake R. Pelly. Lewis was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in October 1957 and held the seat of Wollondilly until his retirement from politics in 1978. His ministerial portfolios included Lands (1965-1972), Lands and Tourism (1972-1974) and Local Government (1976). Tom Lewis was Premier and Treasurer of NSW from 1974 to 1976.

In 2000 Tom Lewis was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) in recognition of his services to the Parliament of NSW, to the environment as the founder of the National Parks and Wildlife Services of NSW, and to the community.