Obituaries Australia

Sir Thomas Dibbs, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 April 1923

By the death of Sir Thomas Allwright Dibbs, which took place at his residence, Point Piper, Sydney, on the 18th March, the Australian banking world has lost one of its most distinguished personalities.

Born at Sydney on the 31st October, 1832, he had reached the advanced age of over ninety years at the time of his death. Seventy-five years ago, as a boy of fifteen, he joined the service of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, and rose to the position of general manager, an appointment he held for forty-eight years. In 1915, after a service of sixty-eight years, he retired from the general managership, and was then appointed a director of the bank.

On the occasion of his retirement the Government of New South Wales presented an address to him, which contained the following tribute:—"During a career which is unique in the history of Australian banking you have not only guided the destinies of one of our largest and most financial institutions, and by an enlightened policy contributed much to the rapid growth of our industries and to the development of our resources, but you have been in a special manner the banker and financial adviser of the Government of the day.''

Apart from the strenuous work Sir Thomas Dibbs discharged as the head of a large banking organisation, he was identified with many patriotic and public movements, in connection with which his wide experience of commercial and financial matters was of considerable value. As the treasurer and trustee of various Church of England funds, he rendered valuable service, which was very much appreciated. A few years ago he handed over to the authorities his fine property, Graythwaite, North Sydney, as a home for disabled soldiers.

He was an enthusiastic yachtsman, owner of the steam yacht Ena for many years, and was loved by everyone who had the good fortune of coming in intimate relation with him.