Jeff Thomas attended Carey Baptist Grammar School from 1959 to 1964. In the Junior School he was Captain of Moore House, an outstanding member of the Junior School Open Cricket XI, and a chorister in the Junior School choir. In the Senior School he played U15 Football and was selected for the First XVIII in Year 11.

After leaving Carey, Jeff became deeply involved with both the Old Carey Football Club and the Old Carey Cricket Club. He joined the OCGA Council in 1985, was elected Vice-President soon after, and became the OCGA representative on the School Board in 1986. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1991 to 1999. During his chairmanship, working alongside Principal Dr Ross Millikan, Carey was restructured into Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, accompanied by major infrastructure developments to support the School’s growth.

In recognition of his outstanding service, Jeff was appointed an Honorary Life Member of the School Board and the Old Carey Cricket Club, and an Honoured Life Member of the OCGA. The Senior School quadrangle was named the Jeffrey O. Thomas Quadrangle in his honour.

Professionally, Jeff co-founded the chartered accounting firm Jeffrey Thomas & Partners (JT&P) in 1981 and served as Managing Partner until 2011, expanding the firm to five partners and 30 staff. In 2019, JT&P established an annual scholarship in his name for a Year 12 Carey graduate. Jeff also contributed significantly through board service, including roles as:

• Chair, Cathy Freeman Foundation

• Deputy Chair, ANSVAR Insurance

• Director, Bangarra Group

• Director, Coffey International Ltd

• Chairman, Advisory Board, Slade Group

• Advisory Board, Dorevitch Pathology

• Chairman, Asian Region, Polaris International (Chartered Accountants)

Jeff was a talented sportsman beyond Carey. As a cricketer he was known for his determination, strong batting defence and attacking left-arm spin. While studying Economics, he joined the Monash Blues Football Club in 1968, contributing to the club’s return to A-Grade and winning the Goal Kicking Award in 1968 and 1970. He later coached the club. A keen golfer, he achieved a handicap of nine at age 74 and contributed to committees at both Kew Golf Club and Commonwealth Golf Club.

Jeff Thomas is remembered as a caring, passionate and genuine man who gave deeply of himself to support others and strengthen the Carey community. On 29 January, more than 700 people gathered for a Thanksgiving Service to honour his life, with several hundred more joining online. The Thomas family extends their gratitude for the support of the Carey community.