Peter Thorley was born in Dalby and joined the Dalby Town Council in 1954. Upon qualifying in accountancy in 1956, he became the deputy Town Clerk. He left Dalby in 1964 to take up the position of Shire Clerk at Peak Downs until late 1965, when he returned to Dalby.
Peter Thorley became the Dalby Town Council Town Clerk early in 1966, replacing his father Harold Thorley, who was the previous Town Clerk. He left Dalby in 1971 to take up senior Council positions with Brisbane City Council, followed by a move to Melbourne.
