IT was an emotional send off for Cr Barry Johnston at his final meeting on Wednesday, as councillors of the previous Inverell Shire Council said their farewells to a mentor and much respected senior member of council. And the opportunity for his contemporaries to offer their appreciation for his work was also taken up.
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Cr Johnston was elected as Inverell’s first council president when the shire council was formed through an amalgamation process in 1979 and later served as mayor for many years.
He decided not to run in the coming September 10 local government election, thus ending 37 years of service to the community, and his service to the community was acknowledged at his final meeting as a member of the 2012-16 Inverell Shire.
Not only did he set the new council on the road to success, but he made his mark on the wider scene by being elected to the executive of the NSW Local Government Association.
- Bob Bensley
“This is a memorable day and the end of an era,” Mayor Paul Harmon said as he opened the meeting.
Former councillors Bob Bensley and Richard Coventry spoke of Cr Johnson’s contributions during Open Forum.
Mr Bensley said he was present when Cr Johnston emerged from a field of more fancied candidates, to become the first president of the Inverell Shire Council.
He went on to hold that position for six-years.
“Not only did he set the new council on the road to success, but he made his mark on the wider scene by being elected to the executive of the NSW Local Government Association,” Mr Bensley said.
“Our current state Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall made a special trip to Inverell as a young chairman of Country Mayors when Cr Johnston took a break from local government.
“Mr Marshall paid high tribute to Cr Johnston’s ability to ‘call it as it was’ at Country Mayoral meetings, when everyone else sat back and avoided issues.”
Mr Bensley said it was a style Cr Johnston had also used locally.
I think the great thing about the early days of Inverell Shire Council was that we looked to do exactly what that wording says, to make Inverell fit for the future.
- Richard Coventry
Mr Coventry noted the mention of Fit For the Future from the recent rates report.
“I think the great thing about the early days of Inverell Shire Council was that we looked to do exactly what that wording says, to make Inverell fit for the future,” Mr Coventry said.
He included gaining water security from Copeton Dam, the construction of the current council administration building, the augmentation of the town’s sewerage system and Varley Oval as among Cr Johnston’s biggest achievements.
“Barry’s commitment, his ability to go to Sydney and get money and his ability to actually carry what council wanted to do and get it done was something that no-one else had,” Mr Coventry said.
“These things did all get done and a lot of it has to got to Barry.”
Steven Green
Senior Journalist with The Young Witness and The Inverell Times. A married, Blues supporter, I have grandkids who support the Maroons, I drink too much coffee, eat too much sugar and am constantly in search of the perfect pizza.
Senior Journalist with The Young Witness and The Inverell Times. A married, Blues supporter, I have grandkids who support the Maroons, I drink too much coffee, eat too much sugar and am constantly in search of the perfect pizza.
