Tommy Tomasi: Tributes for Australian skiing legend

Tributes are being paid to Tommy Tomasi, a prominent figure in Australia’s skiing community, following his death earlier this month. Born in Italy in 1929, Tomasi was a World War II partisan who was held in a concentration camp before migrating to Australia.

After arriving in Perth, Tomasi moved to the Snowy Mountains, where he worked on the Snowy Hydro project as a ‘powder monkey’ using explosives. He later served as a hydrologist in Kosciuszko National Park and worked as a ski instructor and importer.

His family and the Thredbo Alpine Resort community have described him as a ‘true legend’ who dedicated decades to mountain safety and the local skiing culture. He recently celebrated his 100th birthday at Thredbo in July.