Barnard the last of top political family

FORMER longstanding Tasmanian MHA Eric Walter Barnard has passed away at the age of 92.

Mr Barnard was born in Hobart on July 13, 1924 to locomotive fireman Cyril St Clair Barnard and his wife Viola Matilda Sophia Barnard (nee Boscoe).

He was the last surviving member of a political family — his brother was former Clarence warden Cyril Ronald (Bill) Barnard and his uncle was Herbert (Claude) Barnard MHA MHR.

Mr Barnard’s cousins included former deputy prime minister Lance Barnard AO MHR and former deputy premier Michael Barnard MHA.

Mr Eric Barnard was elected to the House of Assembly in 1959 as Labor Member for Franklin and remained in the role until his resignation in 1979.

He served as Government Whip, Speaker of the House of Assembly, minister for agriculture and fisheries, and minister for police and road safety, having served in the Reece, Neilson and Lowe cabinets.

Eric was involved in numer- ous associations and organisations including the Masonic Lodge and Masonic Homes, Uniting Church, Oakdale Lodge, Bellerive Pre-School Association, founding member of the Tasmanian Maritime Museum, Rosny Park Bowls Club, Axeman’s Association, Former Members Association, Parliamentary Bowls Association and Probus.

In 1980, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service as speaker to the Tasmanian Parliament and the community and was a recipient of the Centennial Medal.

Mr Barnard attended Wynyard and New Town state schools and Davis College in North Hobart before joining the Post Master General’s Department in 1939.

In 1942, he enlisted with in the Royal Australian Navy and saw service on HMAS Quickmatch in the Indian, Pacific and South Atlantic Oceans and the Persian Gulf. He then joined HMAS Shropshire which was attached to the US 7th Fleet in the Pacific.

He was in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender and was part of the occupational forces until he was demobilised in 1946.

In 1949, he married Ruth June Goninon (dec) and from 1954 to 1964, he was co-proprietor of Barnard’s General Store at the Bellerive roundabout.

In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal in honour of his service to the community.

In 2004, he moved to Margaret River, Western Australia, where he lived until his death.

Eric is survived by his four children, Pamela, Annette, Charles and Amanda.

A memorial service will be held at Turnbull Funerals on Saturday at 10.30am.