[2] Landing in Victoria, he worked as a gold miner but was unsuccessful and relocated to Queensland some two years later where he turned to coal mining in the West Moreton district.

[2] This time his venture was such a success that he opened up many of the coalfields in the area and with the building of railways across Queensland the demand for coal become even greater, earning him a vast fortune and eventually became known as the 'Coal King'.

[5] Three years later, Thomas was appointed by premier Robert Philp[6] to the Queensland Legislative Council, remaining there until his death in 1913.

[3] He had a great love of music, and for many years sponsored the annual Queensland Eisteddfodau, to which he gave between £60 and £100 to the chief choral contest.

[8] Thomas died in February 1913,[1] and his funeral proceeded from his home in Blackstone[3] to the Ipswich General Cemetery.