Speaking clearly on Thursday last week by phone to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, the Eurobodalla Shire councillor and former mayor said he was “travelling well” after Tuesday’s operation.

The surgery had lasted more than seven hours and family members were relieved when he was able to recognise them in the recovery ward that evening.

“Life is wonderful and never take it for granted,” he advised.

“I have to tarnish that with the fact that I don’t know what I will get in the next day or two.

“That prognosis may not be pleasant, but you hit hurdles and have to overcome them.”

Tests on the tumour will determine his future oncology treatment.

His wife, Yvonne said he was able to walk unassisted, with someone alongside.

“They do amazing things in this ward,” she said.

“He is happy to have got through the operation so well, but he may be reflecting a bit too much on what is ahead of him.

“The doctors are telling him to focus on getting over the operation.

“The next step is oncology.”

Mr Thomson repeated his thanks to Eurobodalla Shire Council and “every other organisation I have worked for”.

“You could not have had a better opportunity in this life and I have no regrets,” he said.

Mr Thomson, a farmer and former Eurobodalla mayor, first noticed symptoms two weeks before Christmas, experiencing headaches and loss of function in one leg.

He underwent scans just after Christmas when his symptoms worsened, which revealed a large tumour.

Mr Thomson last week also spoke by phone to the shire's acting general manager Warren Sharpe.

Mrs Thomson said many families around them were undergoing similar ordeals.

“It is a tough time for all these people in neurosurgical wards,” she said.