After Barney had passed in November 1996, at the age of 26 years, it was decided to raise funds for research by doing what Barney loved best, playing golf and bowls with his mates. Barney's Day was born.
Reflections
Adam Reading
'My first memories of Barn were from when I started playing golf in 1994 as a nine-year-old. Rapidly we developed a friendship, which was more like a brotherly bond. I would be on the course every afternoon as soon as school finished and would spend every hour of daylight just hitting ball after ball. Every day, without fail, Barn would join me. He mentored me from then on and he would take me around the region, playing all the junior tournaments. In the end we would play each week, often with only three sticks to make things a bit harder. He had such a casual approach to the game. Just step up and hit the cover off it!
Every Friday night Barn would have a beer in his favourite corner at the sporting club. From there he would venture up town to the pub. Upon his return trip after the pub shut, he could never quite make it home, even though it was only another two hundred metres past my place. So we would make a bed for him.
I guess his day has lasted because of the way he was. Always up for an enjoyable time, being with his mates and playing golf or bowls. It brings all my best mates together. We were all close to Barn, which I guess is why we all have such a close bond with each other. I would say that his legacy will never be forgotten due to his special day. He had touched the lives of so many people. Regarding his diagnosis I was too young to comprehend what was happening. All I can say is that I lost a large part of my life when he passed on. However, it was such an honour to have my name on Barn's trophy, with Mum and Robert, when we won the day in 1999.'
David Brown
David Brown, who has always helped with the organisation of Barney's Day, was delighted to pass on his memories,
'Barney was an awesome player. Once he turned up still in his work boots, took a single club, his six iron, and parred the front nine, also using it as his putter! His favourite saying as he putted was 'the hole is as big as a bucket'. He was such a jovial person and everyone knew him. Even away from Bingara they all said hello. But, when it was needed, he soon switched on and he never gave up. Once in the 'A' Grade championship he was about nine strokes off the lead with only nine holes to play, so he parred the nine and finished with seventy to win the title. He had come out of the clubhouse totally switched on and the golfer in him just took over.'
David also mentioned the other thing that he excelled at, food - the consumption part of it! He had many examples of Barney's tremendous appetite but singled one out. The Galvins and friends often travelled away in a little people-mover which they called 'Happy Wheels'. One Sunday night they were returning from a two-day golf tournament in Deepwater and decided to call for a snack at the newly opened Kentucky Fried Chicken in Inverell. David described what happened next.
'Barney walked in and with his hands on his hips he read the overhead menu. When it was his turn to order he simply said 'a twenty-one-piece bucket - the biggest you have!'.
He and brother Neil then demolished it plus seven hamburgers each, plus a roast dinner when they got home!
Mervyn Hall
'I remember how he and Neil loved their food. Once on the way back from a tournament in Wee Waa we stopped at Narrabri for McDonalds. Both boys had nine hamburgers each! But the main thing with Barney was that he was a particularly good young golfer and I do not know how often he parred the course. The last thing I would like to say is that Barney's memory will live for an exceptionally long time. A great golfer and we all miss him'.
Bingara Bullets
Another demonstration of mateship was in 1994 at the Bingara Bullet's presentation night. Barney had commenced playing football in minor league, as most boys of those days did. However, while he enjoyed playing, it was more about being part of the team, rather than any great love or desire to be a star player. After minor he had a long break and only got back into the game after he turned eighteen. Thus, while his skills had never been fully developed by continuous playing, his desire to contribute was never doubted and this was endorsed at a Bullet's award night. When his name was announced as a reserve grade award winner the rousing response from the two hundred plus people almost lifted the lid on the old Civic Centre. Later in the night the response to the announcement of the 'A' Grade winners was, by comparison, very modest!
Ivan Galvin
'We are incredibly happy how Andrew's day has become something that matches his personality. It is lots of fun - some serious sport as everyone tries hard to get their name on his trophy and everyone is supporting his wish to help little kids with cancer. The family is very touched by it all. We are also very honoured as our sponsors have been fantastic over many years'.
If you like this story - then you will love others like it in the books Bingara Our Town, Our People -Vol 1 & 2