Thomas David AYNSLEY

20 APRIL 1992 - 16 MARCH 2017

Tom was a young Australian whose life combined curiosity, energy and integrity.

He had a deep interest in coffee — its origins, history and culture — and saw in the industry an opportunity to build an entrepreneurial career grounded in ethical sourcing and sustainable production. He believed coffee communities should be supported to develop in ways that were both environmentally responsible and socially fair.

Tom passed away peacefully on 16 March 2017, one month before his 25th birthday, as a result of an unexplained cardiac event.

Tom and the Coffee Industry

Tom believed that coffee should be sourced from sustainable communities committed to ethical and organic production. He was drawn not only to the product itself, but to the atmosphere and community that surrounded it, believing it “generates a lot of positive energy” and was something he felt “would be awesome to be involved in.”

Following university and two years living and travelling in Europe, Tom returned to Sydney determined to begin his career in the coffee industry from the ground up. He joined Allpress Espresso in January 2017 with a clear intention: to learn retail operations, sourcing and roasting as a foundation for a future entrepreneurial path.

When preparing for his first interview in the industry, Tom described himself in simple terms:

“I see myself as quite a simple person, pretty easy going and relaxed, straightforward and honest – accountability and honesty is easiest.”

Those qualities — honesty, accountability and integrity — remain central to the Foundation established in his memory.

Early Life and Education

Tom was born in Sydney on 20 April 1992, the son of Mike and Belinda Aynsley and brother of Robert, Christopher and Emma.

He spent his early childhood in Melbourne before returning to Sydney in 1997. He grew up in Turramurra on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, attending Wahroonga Bush School and later Barker College at Hornsby.

Tom completed Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts degrees at Macquarie University in 2014, majoring in International Business.

Throughout school and university, he worked in a variety of roles — retail, auction assistant, sports coaching, hospitality and as a team leader at Boost Juice — funding his interests and travel.

Sport, Music and Friendship

Tom was a keen and competitive sportsman, particularly in Australian Rules Football. He played for the St Ives Australian Rules Football Club and later for the North Shore “Bombers,” winning premierships in 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2009. He played 68 games for North Shore, including 10 Premier Division games in 2014, and was part of the 2009 Under 18s premiership team.

More important than the results were the friendships he formed during those years

Following his passing, the North Shore Bombers hosted a Memorial Day at Mortgage Choice Oval to honour his memory. The event raised funds in support of the Foundation.

Tom was also a member of Pymble Golf Club, playing off a handicap as low as four. He was an accomplished skier, a strong tennis player and remained active across a wide range of sports including volleyball, basketball and soccer.

He had a deep interest in music and attended festivals including Glastonbury in the United Kingdom, Splendour in the Grass in Australia and Zermatt Unplugged in Switzerland.

London and Travel

In late 2014, Tom and his partner Lizzie moved to London, where they lived and worked for two years. During this period, Tom travelled extensively across Europe and developed a clearer sense of direction about his future.

While working flexibly as a business analyst in Mayfair, he immersed himself in learning about coffee — visiting specialty cafés and roasteries, reading widely, and building foundational knowledge about sourcing, roasting and the broader industry.

By the time he returned to Sydney in late 2016, his intention to build a career in coffee was clear.

Memorial and Legacy

A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life was held at the Barker College Chapel on 26 March 2017, attended by more than four hundred people. His partner Lizzie, his siblings and his close friend Timothy Weston delivered reflections on his life.

Tom inspired others through his straightforwardness, his sense of fairness and his commitment to acting with integrity.

His family established the Tom Aynsley Foundation in his memory, initially focused on supporting coffee-growing communities and now extended to include awareness and community support relating to sudden and unexplained cardiac death.

Tom should not be remembered as a sad story. He lived fully and energetically, and continues to influence lives through the work undertaken in his name.

Tom Aynsley - Brooklyn Bridge - February 2016

“Never settle for poor quality coffee!”

– Thomas David Aynsley, March 2017