Transport entrepreneur and road safety innovator Ken Thomas honoured with Blue Plaque
A Blue Plaque honouring the legendary Ken Thomas will be installed in the twin towns of Murrumburrah and Harden, as a tribute to his contributions to the Australian transportation industry and road safety.
Thomas, born in Harden-Murrumburrah in 1913, was a visionary transport entrepreneur and road safety innovator who left an indelible mark on trucking, fleet transport, logistics and shipping, opening Australia’s export avenues and saving lives.
After founding the freight giant TNT (Thomas Nationwide Transport), he seamlessly connected road and rail transport, creating a nationwide transport and shipping powerhouse.
Thomas was also a vocal advocate for road safety, a staunch pacifist, and an anti-conscriptionist. His pioneering work focused on improving the speed and efficiency of bringing goods to market while prioritising road safety, ultimately opening up markets in regional Australia and boosting exports. Thomas passed away in 1997.
The nomination for the Blue Plaque came from the Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society Inc., in recognition of Thomas's profound impact on the community where he was born.
Blue Plaques NSW celebrates well-known characters many of us are familiar with, but also brings attention to lesser-known stories of people and events that shaped a particular community, town, or field of work or study.
This plaque is one of 14 which will be installed in the second round of the NSW government’s Blue Plaques NSW program. They were chosen from 117 nominations made by the public and assessed by independent historians. They will be installed in the coming months, joining the 35 already in place.
Heritage NSW is working with experts and potential property owners to finalise the location of the plaques and once installed they will be listed on the Blue Plaques NSW website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe:
“These Blue Plaques recognise the diverse individuals, events and perspectives that make the history of NSW so intriguing.
“Whether you’re exploring Sydney’s CBD or taking a drive off the beaten track to regional towns like Grafton and Pambula, there’s a Blue Plaque for you to discover.
“The installation of each new plaque brings added interest to the heritage of an area, encouraging locals to explore their backyards, and inviting those from further afield to learn more about the history of these communities.”
Quotes attributable to Duty MLC for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence:
“This Blue Plaque celebrates the legacy of Ken Thomas, founder of TNT and a true titan of industry. His ground-breaking work in trucking, logistics, and safety not only shaped regional Australian exports but also saved countless lives on our roads.
“A congenial employer and road safety champion, Ken Thomas’ enduring influence continues to resonate, making Australian roads safer for all. His story reflects a remarkable journey of innovation and advocacy.”
Full list of round two Blue Plaques
| Subject | Recognition | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Butler | A woman without formal engineering qualifications who had a central role in the development of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. | Sydney CBD |
| Emma Jane Callaghan | Aboriginal midwife, activist, nurse, and Indigenous Culture Recorder. | Phillip Bay, Sydney |
| Susan Katherina Schardt | Born blind, Schardt established the Commonwealth Home for Destitute Invalids, now known as Royal Rehab. | Ryde |
| Dorothy Simpson McGregor Drain | One of the first Australian female war correspondents, who reported on the Korean and Vietnam Wars. She was also a poet, columnist, and Editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly. | Glebe |
| Establishment of the first recorded life savers club | Founded in February 1907, the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club was the first recorded Surf Lifesaving Club in Australia. | Bondi |
| Sir William Dobell | A portrait and landscape artist and three-time winner of the Archibald Prize. | Wangi Wangi |
| Syms Covington | A cabin boy on the HMS Beagle who became assistant to Charles Darwin. Syms later worked as a businessman and postmaster in Pambula. | Pambula |
| Charmian Clift | A prolific writer and essayist. | Kiama |
| Pearl Mary Gibbs | A prominent female activist in the Aboriginal rights movement, Gibbs was heavily involved in the development of the Day of Mourning and the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. | Sydney CBD |
| Ioannis (Jack) and Antonios (Tony) Notaras | Greek immigrant businessmen known for establishing Grafton’s still-thriving Saraton Theatre. | Grafton |
| Beryl Mary McLaughlin | One of the first three women graduates of the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture. | Wentworth Falls |
| Ken Thomas | Trucker and entrepreneur known for establishing the TNT transport empire and for his contributions to road safety. | Murrumburrah |
| Grace Emily Munro | Co-founder and first president of the Country Women’s Association. | Bingara |
| First release of myxomatosis | The CSIRO released myxomatosis in Balldale in 1950, to combat a severe rabbit problem. It was the world’s first successful biological program for control of a mammalian pest. | Balldale |