Thomas Waters a qualified Botanist was commissioned by the British Government to work in South Africa in this capacity for 6 years from 1823 to 1829. When Governor Stirling was sent to Western Australia in June 1829, Thomas decided to join the colonists and sailed for the Swan River Colony in the ship 'Caroline' arriving a few months later than Stirling in October 1829. Thomas was granted 1760 acres of land in the Colony and took 50 acres in the Swan District. He planted the grape vines, which he had brought with him from South Africa along the Swan River, Guildford allotment which he named 'The Olive Farm' and the olive trees he also brought with him were planted in a row along the 'Old Guildford Road' now known as Great Eastern Highway. Whilst in South Africa he learnt how to make wine, so when his vines began to produce fruit he made wine using it to barter for other essential goods. The 'Olive Farm' still exists and some of the original cellars are still in use. The 'Olive Farm' was the first winery in Western Australia. Because of his botanical knowledge he was of great assistance to the settlers who were experiencing great losses because their stock had eaten a particular scrub. He diagnosed it as a poisonous plant and it was given the name 'York Road Poison'. His reward was an extra grant of 100 acres adjoining his existing property. Thomas was the first settler to attempt to grow wheat and he invented a wooden plough. A record of this venture may still exist in the Museum at Guildford. Sarah Price, his fiancée whom he had left behind in 1823, joined him in the Colony together with his brother Robert, arriving in the ship 'Freak' in 1833 and they were married 15 October 1833 in the Old Rush Church, Irwin Street, Perth by the Rev LB Wittenoom. Thomas then took up the rest of his allotment, selecting 1610 acres at Toodyay with Robert. Thomas drowned in the Swan River at Guildford 28 February 1869. His grave stone can still be seen on the Guildford Grammar School Chapel grounds. Sarah died 20 February 1854.