Terry attended St Joseph's Catholic School, Ungarie for his primary education before going to Ungarie Central School until year ten, after which he became a farmer.
It was during his childhood that Terry showed his love for sport, namely Australian rules football, playing in the Northern Riverina Football League (NRFL) on Saturdays while playing rugby league at school carnivals.
It was during his time in the NRFL that Terry won several best & fairest award, including the senior football Evans Medal in 1974, before playing with Ariah Park-Mirrool in the South West Football League (New South Wales) for the 1975 season.
It was during this season that Terry was approached by the South Melbourne Football Club to play for them.
After his professional career, Terry returned to the Riverina to play for the Wagga Tigers in the Riverina Football League (RFL), becoming Captain-Coach and leading the Tigers to five premierships out of six Grand Finals.