CONGRATULATIONS came thick and fast for Tommy Tomasi as he celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and colleagues at Thredbo in July. One of the true pioneering figures in the snow industry, Tommy was in great form and received warm wishes from his friends plus acknowledgment from King Charles and a host of other dignitaries.
Sons Peter and Mick, and daughters Theresa and Toni, plus most of the siblings' children, were in attendance to celebrate the occasion. Familiar Thredbo faces who have loved Tommy for decades also celebrated with him.
Brief speeches were made by Thredbo General Manager, Stuart Diver, head of Thredbo Ski Patrol, Dave Kuhn, and Errol Hanlon from the Thredbo Alpine Museum.
“We all love you so much Tommy. One of the thank-yous to the family goes for sharing Tommy with us. I know it comes with a price, Tommy wasn’t always there with your family, but he was here with us,” said Dave Kuhn, who also presented Tommy with an award from Thredbo.
Stuart Diver said it was unbelievably special to have Tommy back in Thredbo and to reflect on the legacy he has left on the Thredbo community. “The way that you’ve lived your life, the way that the mountains and Thredbo have been such an incredible part of your life, I think is something we in this room all aspire to live our lives as well. I wish you a fantastic one hundredth celebration,” said Stuart.
Tommy’s son Peter, who worked at Thredbo for 35 years including a long stint as mountain manager, said it was a very exciting day, particularly for his Dad. “He has been looking forward to this day for the last six months, knowing that it was coming. Dad has so many stories, and for Dad, life has been one big holiday of travelling the world, skiing with so many different people but always coming back home to Thredbo. The friends seem to be endless, and Dad is so well known within the industry. It’s very special,” said Peter.
Much to the surprise of the crowd, three uni students celebrating their week in swimsuits and budgie smugglers arrived unannounced to sing happy birthday, and Tommy lapped up the attention with a smile.
Tommy spoke briefly, saying he will never forget how special Thredbo has been to him. Having hurt his shoulder and on medication, he said, “You will have to excuse me, I have been under so many tablets at the moment I don’t know if I am speak Italian, I don’t know if I’m Italian, but I think I got there (birthday),” said Tommy.
“One of the reasons I like to get there, because it is like a family. The company has been absolutely fantastic, and I will never forget that.”
Having skied into his 90’s he was staunch in his praise for his beloved Thredbo, saying, “When we got snow at Thredbo, it’s hard to beat.” Having started the volunteer ski patrol in the 60s, he was also thrilled to see fellow patrollers, noting “there is some spaghetti” (Italians).
Commenting on his residence in his nursing home in Foster, he had the crowd laughing when he said, “Unfortunately, the 107 people they are there, they are only there for one reason: to kick the bucket. But I don’t want to kick the bucket yet.”
Happy 100th Tommy Tomasi.
Tommy with some of the attendees, with his beloved Thredbo Ski Patrol and reading his story in the Snowy Mountains Magazine.
