Brian Barry is one of the first to admit his refereeing career was nearly cut short by a piece of fruit.
Regardless of that entertaining piece of his history, Barry will be centre stage once more when he does the VIP kick-off for the North Sydney Bears last home game of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season on Sunday 28 August against Mounties.
The Bears have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of their 1922 premiership, and as Barry is a vital cog in the life of the club, he’s been given the honour of the kick-off at his beloved North Sydney Oval.
But back to that wayward piece of fruit….
It was the Grand Final replay of 1977 between St George and Parramatta on 24 September after the two sides had drawn 9-9 on 17 September.
As one of the touch judges Barry was exiting the SCG pitch after a 22-0 win by the Dragons, when an apple came hurtling through the air and caught him right in the groin.
“They should have found the bloke; he deserved more than an apple – he should have got a box of chocolates it was such a well-aimed throw,” Barry said.
“It hit me in the worst spot in the world. The young ball boy from the Dragons said to me ‘Mr Barry did you know what hit you?’ And I said ‘Yes… an apple. See if you can you find the bloke and give it back to him’.”
Barry, now 98, retired from first grade officiating in 1978 after figuring in five Grand Finals, several Interstate Series games (NSW v Qld) and the Australia-New Zealand Test matches of 1967-68.
Born and raised in Cremorne-Mosman on Sydney’s lower north shore, it only made sense that Barry would become a life-long supporter of the North Sydney Bears.
“I’ve lived in the area for ages and joined the North Sydney Referees Association in 1954,” he said.
“It didn’t stop me getting plenty of ‘boos’ for my refereeing. There were many Bears fans suggesting where I should put my flag and my whistle on occasions.
“But I’ve always had a soft spot for the club.”
The feeling is mutual.
Michael Quailey is Chair of the North Sydney District Rugby League Referees Association and has known Barry for over 60 years (Barry is an Ambassador and Life Member of the Association).
“Brian is the reason I took up refereeing back in 1979,” Quailey said.
“Admittedly I wasn’t a very good player, but I still wanted to be involved with the game.
“Brian encouraged me to take up refereeing because he told me it was the best seat in the house.”
In April 1958 Barry controlled his inaugural graded match at North Sydney Oval, which was also the debut for Bears winger Ken Irvine – the NSWRL and ARL Hall of Fame inductee, who still holds the record for the most tries in first grade (212).
“Brian is our oldest living referee in NSW,” Quailey said.
“He’s like gold. He’s coached so many young referees to get their ticket (exams graduation), including me.
“Everybody knows Brian; everybody loves Brian.”
Barry is still overwhelmed by the gesture to have him ‘start’ the final Bears home game this year.
“It’s a big honour and I am very humbled as I’m sure there are many more important people than me in a great club like the North Sydney Bears,” he said.
