Andrew John Galvin (1970-1996)
Prologue
When the doctor said to Andrew 'Barney' Galvin and his family 'Let us go for a walk' it led to a life-defining moment for the twenty-six-year-old. At the end of the walk his uncertainty was put aside and Barney was ready to face what turned out to be a tragically short life. He eventually succumbed to cancer and with it, his name became a beacon for all that is good. While his time on earth was short, his mateship has become a culture that is self-fulfilling. He was that type of guy. Everyone loved Barney and he loved everyone.
Memories of Barney will never fade while ever his family and friends continue to celebrate 'Barney's Day'. It is very satisfying that long after his death his day continues to attract many people, including a growing number who did not know him. This more than anything ensures he will never be forgotten, truly a wonderful monument for everyone's mate. Most importantly, his wish to raise funds for cancer research lives on.
Andrew 'Barney' Galvin
Barney was the third son born to Ivan and Judy Galvin (Alsop), a brother to David and Neil. Growing up he was a happy boy and had a very special relationship with his two grandfathers, Melvin (Mel) Galvin and Spence (Sunny) Alsop. Barney never managed to call Sunny anything but 'Sunny.' However, that did not matter as the grandfathers proceeded to introduce him to the land and he soon became their shadow. His love of the land never left him and after school his work revolved around it, including his time with Peter Rose's engineering business. It was this deep love of the Bingara area that held Barney back from pursuing a very promising golfing career.
Golf
Golf and Barney were meant for each other and thanks to that wonderful Bingara golfer, the late Bonnie Rogers, he excelled. Barney and his brothers joined a golf class of about thirty youngsters she was tutoring. He was just eleven years of age and showed early promise of what was to come. While getting hooked on golf is quite common, sadly for many people it means spending the rest of one's life battling the game. But this was not the case with Barney. At fourteen years he was in single figures and he defeated his fellow 'A' Graders to win the Dawson Cup. However, golf was only one of his outlets and his love of playing sport with mates saw him sign up for minor league and junior tennis. Ivan, with a big grin, recalled. 'Next thing he was playing in the tennis championships. He just gave anything a go and he was always happy to help.'
His love of playing sport with mates was a two-way street. His mates certainly loved being around him. The fact that Barney's Day has continued for many years is because it is built on relationships. Despite playing a wide range of sports it was at golf where he excelled and Ivan remarked it was in the 1980s that his talent was recognised.
'He was selected in the North-West Junior team (under 18 years) in 1984 and when they changed it to under 21 years in 1985, he was again selected. The whole North-West team was either eighteen or under and they won the State Championship in 1985. The competition was match-play and Andrew never lost a match in either year.'
At club level he won the Bingara Open in 1993 and in 1994 and the club championships in 1994 and 1995. He tried to defend his title in 1996 but by then his cancer had been diagnosed and although he played, he was just too sick.
'Those little kids have got nothing'
Like far too many families who have been savaged by cancer the Galvins made the sad trip to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney. Fearing the unknown they were anxious for help and understanding. The specialist doctor provided exactly what they needed and Ivan clearly remembers the day.
'When we met the doctor the first thing he said to us was "let us go for a walk" and he led us to the nearby children's cancer hospital. There we saw extremely sick little kids, some as young as three or four months. Later Andrew said to me. 'Dad I am lucky. I got twenty-six years but those little ones have got nothing.'
If one believes in life-defining moments then this walk with the doctor was surely one for the Galvin family. Obviously, Barney had thought a lot about his life, his love of family, his love of sport and the pure joy of being with his mates. After that walk he was far better equipped to weigh up his twenty-six years and come to an understanding of 'whatever will be, will be.' Barney was like that, a big grin and a down-to-earth practical bloke. Later, when his family discussed with him the idea of raising money for cancer and where the funds should go, there had been no hesitation. Barney replied, 'The children's oncology unit.'
After Barney had passed in November 1996, at the age of 26 years, it was decided to raise funds in his memory...
To be continued in Part 2...