After he and his wife Lenore joined an Aveo village outside of Melbourne in 2010, he became active in resident representation leading to being elected President of the Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria and then President of the national body, the Australian Retirement Villages Residents Association, in 2012.

Terry was appreciated by residents, village operators and government for his reasoned approach to all matters. In 2013 he was appointed to the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee for Senior Victorians.

An electrical engineer by training, Terry also had a long history of community service including election as a municipal councilor and active board membership with Philanthropy Australia and Volunteering Australia.
He was an enthusiastic supporter of retirement villages and residents.