Background
Thomas Gluyas was born at Moonta Mines the fourth son of William Gluyas, a leading pitman.
Thomas Gluyas was born at Moonta Mines the fourth son of William Gluyas, a leading pitman.
In 1875 the family started farming at Agery, and four years later moved to Portuguese Augusta, South Australia, where in 1880 Thomas started working for the railways. He moved with the railways workshops to Quorn where they remained for 20 years. In 1903 he was transferred to the Islington Railway Workshops.
All his life he was involved in union activity.
He represented the Society for many years on the Trades and Labor Council, and at Labor Party conferences. In 1918 as a Labor candidate he was elected to the Legislative Council for Central District Number.1, and remained a member until his death, when he was praised for his bluff good humour and loyalty.
Tom was a member of the Quorn council for two years. He was a member of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, and president of the Adelaide branch.