Thomas Ernest Cole OAM (28 February 1906 – 9 December 1995)[1] was a labourer, stockman, buffalo hunter, crocodile shooter, coffee grower, and writer who rode the Australian Northern Territory outback.

A would-be publican had bought a two tonne truck full of liquor and expecting to make a 300% profit, Paddy and Jim purchased the entire outfit, lock-stock-barrel and bottle.

Cole worked at many jobs in these first few years a cook at Brunette Downs to a position on one of Sidney Kidman's properties.

He continued buffalo[4] hunting, acquiring a lease at Kapalga, near the Wildman River and then in 1937 buying properties near Pine Creek, Goodparla and Esmeralda which his partner stocked with cattle.

In 1932, Cole was at Kapalga where he received word from Jack Hales on the Maroubra about two pearling luggers Raf and Myrtle Olpa which had called into Caledon Bay on the Arnhem Coast and the entire crew had been speared.

[1] Cole returned to Australia after 30 years in Papua New Guinea and began writing memoirs.