FORMER mayor of Inverell Shire Council, the shire’s first mayor, has died. Barry Johnston, 82, died while he was recuperating from an operation at his daughter Dianne’s home in Armidale.
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Inverell general manager Paul Henry paid tribute to Mr Johnston, saying he was passionate about what he did and certainly fearless.
Mr Johnston was a councillor first at Ashford from 1974. He was elected as Inverell’s first council president when the shire council was formed through amalgamation in 1979 and later served as mayor.
He left council in 1987 but returned in 1999. He decided not to run in the September local government election this year, thus ending decades of service to the community.
Former councillors Bob Bensley and Richard Coventry spoke of Cr Johnson’s contributions at his last council meeting in August.
Mr Bensley said he was present when Cr Johnston emerged from more fancied candidates to become the first president of Inverell Shire Council. He held that position for six years.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall made a special trip to Inverell as then chairman of Country Mayors in 2011 when Cr Johnston ended his final term as mayor. Among Cr Johnston’s achievements were gaining water security from Copeton Dam, the construction of the council administration building, the town’s sewerage system and Varley Oval.
He was predeceased by his wife, June, in 1997. He leaves behind daughter Dianne, son Stephen and grandsons Harry and Rex.
