Barrie Anthony Barber

Dear Ann, Bridget and family, What a lovely celebration of Barrie's life today, he would have been very proud of you all. As you know I have known Barrie for around 70 plus years. We basically grew up together after they shifted down from the Ranfurly area. You may not recall, but because Barrie was 3 years and 10 days older than me he used to call me "Boy" and continued to call me that throughout his life. We spent many hours pig hunting on the local hills during those earlier years, The weekends consisted of Rugby on Saturdays and Pig Hunting on Sundays - Great times and great memories. Barrie was also a great duck shooter as well, his best effort I personally witnessed was 13 ducks with two shots. One hunting episode I can recall we had been hunting up in Central Otago on one of the large stations and additional to shooting lots of wild goats Barrie managed to shoot a very large Red Deer Stag which we managed to get the whole deer into my brother in law's 1951 Bedford panel van and off we trundled home, The three of us squeezed in across the two front seats. On the way Barry and I kept saying to Neville (my brother in law) that we could hear a noise in the back. Neville kept saying "If there is any noise I'll hear it". Just as we were coming into Palmerston there one hell of a bump and the next second we see was the left hand rear wheel passing us on the right hand side of the road!! Well, then it was action stations and Barrie was sprinting off down the road after the wheel - Usain Bolt would have been proud of him.. We actually managed to find a couple of nut and pinched another one off one of the other wheels and Neville jacked the van up., and on went the wheel and off we went as if nothing had happened. I think a pit crew at the car races would have been proud of us all that day. I was interested to hear Damon Cooper talk about eggs today during his speech, and I was a bit surprised he didn't mention Barrie and his poached eggs with Mint Sauce. Barrie introduced me to the combination many years ago and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. - Thank you Barrie. I must tell you about the time that Barrie took me and a couple of forestry friends from Reefton on a fishing trip during Xmas holidays many moons ago, Unfortunately there was a blanket of fog covering the ocean as we took off over the bar, we carefully progressed for several minutes and then Barrie must have decided that things weren't as they should be and he cut the motor and we all listened - the next thing we new was that we could could hear waves breaking close by but they were on the starboard of the boat when they should have been on the port side. Low and behold we had done a complete 360 degree tour of Waikouaiti Bay and were almost back where we started. Barrie then realized where we were and away we as the fog began to lift. Even though our vocations meant we didn't see each other for long periods over the years Barrie was a true friend and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace my friend, you have earned it.

Hi Ann, It was with great sadness that mum and I learnt of Barry’s passing. He was a great bloke to know. Especially with trips to Central Otago races at Omakau. When ever you ran into him, he was always up for a yarn or a beer and was always smiling. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with you and your family at this time Neville and Val Skinner

Ann and Bridget, I'm so sorry I can't be with you on Wednesday, but please know my thoughts are with you both at this very sad time. When I think back to my days at Waikouaiti, Barry forms a part of so many Preston memories: the crayfish-for-mutton swaps with Dad, the raceday fever, and days out fishing on the Lady Anne. And I'm quite sure the crowd waiting on the Karitane wharf for fresh fish weren't expecting to see Barry hold up an octopus, bite it between the eyes, and toss it in amongst them. But what I remember most was his gift of relating to everyone, whatever their age. He was someone I always enjoyed being around. He set a standard that was hard to match, and one we could all aspire to. About the only thing I won't miss are his racing tips. I'm pretty sure he went to the same tipping school as Ken Heckler!!! I imagine him now bringing the Lady Anne home across the Karitane bar. The sea is calm, there's a good catch on board, and a few mates and onlookers are waiting on the wharf to see what he's brought in. No doubt he's already working out which horse to tell them to back. Barry, thank you for the laughs, the stories, and for being such an important part of my life. Things won't be the same without you. Rest easy, my friend. Tim Preston

I had the very good fortune to meet Barrie and Ann about 15 years ago, after having bought and renovated an old crib in Karitane. My partner and I became part of a group of locals who regularly got together at each other's houses socially for drinks and dinners etc. Melbourne Cup days particularly became legendary events, especially when they were held up on the hill at Barrie and Ann's wonderful property in Sulisker Street. Barrie was a master at running the sweepstakes on these days. Over the years my friendship with Barrie deepened, as we got to know each other better and particularly with our love of the ocean and fishing. Barrie shared many stories of his time on the water, and different techniques and spots where he had caught lots of fish. Fascinating stuff and a real insight into in-shore fishing out of Karitane over many decades. I often wished I had known Barrie much earlier in our lives, so I could have shared some of these adventures with him. We really enjoyed our pre-dinner sessions up on the hill, often eating Ann's special whitebait patties; or my paua patties or blue cod bites as we chewed the fat about current events, sports, family etc. Also with me being a risk-taker, Barrie shared his love of horses and horse racing and I became interested enough to follow his tips - for better or worse - and learn a bit about the horsey world. When the TAB decided to no longer support phone betting around the Covid days, I introduced Barrie to the new world of online betting and helped him to run his online TAB account. Ipads and cell phones were never really his thing, so leaving his betting instructions on my phone messages several times a week became the norm. You could say that I became his de facto bookie. Barrie was not one to mince his words, and what he did say was always worth listening to, and often came with gems of wisdom. I don't remember him ever saying a bad word about anyone or anything, except perhaps the seals and sea lions who liked to help themselves to his fishing catches. Even the seagulls, who I called sky rats, were 'God's children' in Barrie's world. And now he is gone, headed for the fishing grounds and race tracks in the afterworld. This world is not making any more men like Barrie Barber - the mould doesn't exist any more. He fought the good fight as his health issues accumulated over the past few years, and he was never one to complain about his lot. He got on with things as best he could. You were always a great mate to me Barrie and I will miss you dearly. You are gone now, but you definitely won't be forgotten. I look forward to catching up again mate, when my time comes. Keep your hooks and knives sharp as always, ready for action. My deepest condolences to Ann, and Bridget and your extended family. I'm sorry that I'm not there in person today, but I know that you will send Barrie off in the style that he deserves with a mixture of sadness, happiness and wonderful memories. Thank you very much for sharing Barrie with me. Arohanui Mal Robinson

My sincere condolences to Ann and all of the Family & friends on the sad loss of Barrie. Many wonderful & memorable times will be remembered by so many different people from many & varied parts of his life, Barrie will always be remembered with love and respect. A great harness racing man, however, I best remember he and Ann at the annual Waikouaiti New Year's Day races, when visiting from across the ditch, not to forget those after parties at "Hazlehurst", I can still taste those Cray tails "Simply the best in The World". I will be with you all in spirit on Wednesday. Sincerely Heather Preston Noosa, Australia.

Our sincere condolences on the sad loss of Barrie. Many wonderful memories of our times Quail and Pheasant Shooting which will never be forgotten. A great horse racing man. Will miss our regular phone calls checking on each others horses and if they were performing or not. Will miss catching up with him and Ann when they were in Nelson and going for a meal. A good friend sadly lost. George and Evelyn Hill

So sorry to hear about Barrie. He was a very nice man and was very kind to Russ and I in Christchurch. Really used to enjoy meeting up with him at race meetings too where he would invariably give us tips for winners. Those were the days!.