Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Opening of the Shire Hall, c.1964
Summary of Thomas Lindsay Barrie (1914 – 1990)
A life long resident of Melton
Son of Jessie and Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton
Married Marion Ferris at Christ Church Melton on 11th May 1939. They lived on the family farm at Ferris Road Melton. They had one son, Ian who has continued in farming in Melton.
He served the community in the following –
Shire of Melton Councillor Member for 32 years
1941 – 1970 Elected as Councillor for Melton South
1970 – 1973 Councillor for Rockbank
1943 – 1944 Shire President for three terms
1958 – 1959 ditto
1964 – 1965 ditto
Council Representative: Bacchus Marsh High School and Western Suburbs Municipalities. Representative on delegation to prevent Melton post primary students being sent to Deer Park prior to the establishment of Melton High School.
Melton Bush Fire Brigade
1941 Member
Melton Bush Fire Brigade Registered No. 425 1942
1942
2nd Lieutenant
1943 – 1944
4th Lieutenant
Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963
20 Years Long Service Badge
Scots Presbyterian Church Melton
Member of the Board of Management 1947 – 1969 information from Annual Reports
note more research needed at Uniting Church Archives to determine the earliest and last date.
Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racers.
Darlingsford Drafts and Ponies. Order of Stalls Clydesdales – Dick, Dolly, Flower, Nugget, Blossom, Lofty, Prince.
Roger, Rose, Violet, Don, Beauty, Baldy, Diamond.
Cart and Mounts Creamy, Digger, Popsy
Compiled by Wendy Barrie 2013
Councillor Tom Barrie, Shire President and a group of children at the opening of the building.council, local identities