Mr Lewis – who represented the seat of Wollondilly for more than 20 years and established the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1967 – died on Monday, aged 94.

It’s his contributions to conservation and the environment that parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward won’t forget.

Mr Ward, himself concerned about the environment, said he admired Mr Lewis’ for his dexterity, his honesty and also his vision.

“What he did for national parks was to preserve some very important parts of the state and Tom Lewis’ legacy will live on because of that decision,” he said.

“He saw it as essential that people were involved in the environment, not locking the gate but protecting those things about our natural environment that are important, that are valuable, that future generations should be able to enjoy.”   Mr Lewis’ achievements were wide and varied.

Born in Adelaide in 1922, he later become a member of the Australian Imperial Force during World War II, serving in two conflicts - the New Guinea campaign and Borneo.

First elected to Parliament in 1957, Mr Lewis was the Liberal member for Wollondilly until 1978 and served as Premier and Treasurer between 1975 and 1976.

At the time, the electorate not only covered the Southern Highlands and the Wollondilly area but also Kiama and the Shoalhaven.

“Tom was a great Premier and also a very well-loved local member,” Mr Ward said, adding he was also “a great Australian” and “a great Liberal”.   “I still have people say to me ‘Tom Lewis was an awesome local member’.

“He was somebody who was propelled into the premiership, not because he ever sought it but because the opportunity availed itself and he took on the challenge, at a very challenging time for the party.” 

Mr Lewis will be given a state funeral next month.

How the Mercury covered ex-Premier’s Australia Day honour in 2000:

Former NSW Premier Tom Lewis has left very few stones unturned.

A politician, environmentalist and community-minded man, Mr Lewis has been recognised for a lifetime dedicated to others with an AO, Order of Australia award.

Mr Lewis was Member for Wollondilly from 1957-1978, Premier and Treasurer of NSW from 1974-1976, Local Government Minister in 1976, Lands and Tourism Minister from 1972-1974 and Lands Minister from 1965-1972.

The driving force behind the development of the NSW branch of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, he was also board member of the Zoological Parks Board of NSW, and member and chairman of the Norton National Park Trust and Kosciuszko National Park Trust and Advisory Committee for 10 years.

Mr Lewis, of Moss Vale, is also involved in community and charity work, including an association with the Moss Vale Sub-Branch of the RSL as president, member of Berrima Legacy, vice-president and councillor of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of NSW for 20 years and president in 1983, and Sydney Cricket Ground trustee and member for 19 years.

The Australia Day AO acknowledges his involvement in the NSW Parliament, service to the community and as founder of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW.

Mr Lewis said he was told of his nomination three months ago and he was honoured to receive an AO.

"I have had a diverse life," he said.

"My work has taken me to many parts of the world on many different jobs. I have been to places not ordinarily visited like Iran ... every person you meet is fascinating."

He said he was planning to have a quiet Australia Day today with his family including his grandchildren.

"My sons are all overseas at the moment, so they will not be here for the day ... but having grandchildren makes up for that," he said.

Mr Lewis said the development of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service was an achievement that was particularly close to his heart.

"Man is an animal and he has the right to life. We (should have) enough sense to make sure animal and fauna species and ecosystems are balanced."

- KILMENY ADIE