About Professor Thomas Leech
Thomas Leech was a renowned professor and head of the Scientific Services Division of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme.
One of the largest engineering projects in the world at the time, it harnessed the waters of the Snowy River to produce electricity and irrigate large areas west of the mountains. Thomas led a team that tested whether the project’s designs would work in real-world conditions, and developed techniques to improve construction and workers’ safety.
Endlessly inventive and deeply concerned for the welfare of others, he also helped develop one of the twentieth century’s most important safety devices: the black box flight recorder.
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An inspiring teacher
Born in Sydney in 1902, Thomas David James Leech graduated from The University of Sydney with degrees in science and civil engineering. A distinguished lecturer at the university from 1926 to 1939, he introduced the first course in fluid mechanics in Australia.
A gifted teacher, his students from this time remember him instructing them to 'Set your mind high. Go out and climb mountains. Follow rivers to, or from, their most remote sources. Explore in hardihood of mind and body for truth'.
Accolades flow
Thomas’s talent and hard work were soon recognised.
At the age of 29 he published The Principles of Flight and 4 years later was awarded the Warren Memorial Prize by the Institution of Engineers Australia.
Thomas’ career went from strength to strength. In 1940 he was appointed Professor of Engineering at Auckland University and chaired New Zealand’s Defence Scientific Advisory Committee. Shortly after, he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for this wartime service.
The Snowy Scheme
In December 1950, Thomas made a life-changing decision – taking on the role of Engineer-in-charge of the Scientific Services Division of the Snowy Scheme. Although no longer teaching, the esteem in which Thomas was held was such that he was universally known as Professor or ‘Prof’ Leech.
Thomas devoted himself to the Snowy Scheme with the same enthusiasm that had marked his time as a university lecturer. Houses were built in Cooma to enable Division staff to work in the newly-completed Snowy Scheme laboratories at Cooma Back Creek and to be on call to solve technical problems. Water was pumped from the creek to the laboratory, enabling Fluid Mechanics Laboratory staff to model the hydraulic processes of project structures.
He inspired fellow scientists and engineers to achieve things they thought were impossible, and tested the practical applications of his specialty, fluid mechanics.
But wait, there’s more!
Thomas worked on the Snowy Scheme until he retired in 1967. He was also involved in testing Australia’s pioneering car seatbelt program and researching underground diffusion blasting to create water storage.
Always a strong advocate for his local community, Thomas led the campaign to establish a technical college in Cooma.
He followed his own vision of scientific research and was a man who inspired his fellow scientific workers to “to go beyond their immediate perceived limitations”, leaving behind an incredible legacy that inspires to this day.