Sir Thomas Playford was South Australia's longest-serving Premier, leading his party to victory in eight successive elections and presiding for 26½ years from 1938 to 1965. He was born at Norton Summit, South Australia on 5th July 1896, died on 16th June 1981 and is buried at Norton Summit Cemetery. The wording on his gravestone reads: 'A good man who did good things'.
A statue of Sir Thomas Playford was unveiled at Norton Summit in 1996. Near the statue is a drinking fountain, donated by the Norton Summit Primary School with funds raised from a lapathon around the Playford Orchard June 1996. The Playfords, a leading fruit growing family from the early days of Norton Summit, still reside in the area.