The Northern Rivers lost one of its stalwart volunteers late last year, with the death on December 15 of Barrie Peters.
With his beloved wife Marleen, Barrie had moved in 2022 to Ballina, having previously lived in Suffolk Park and Wilsons Creek.
Both Barrie and Marleen volunteered with a number of local organisations, including the Byron Bay Visitor Centre and the Cape Byron lighthouse for 15 years, where they were happy to share their love of Byron Shire with visitors to the region.
Barrie was born in the UK, and in 1966, he married Marleen, the love of his life. The newlyweds’ first home was a converted stable in the English countryside. After their sons Martijn and Michael were born, the family moved to Malaysia, where Barrie was managing director for ICL Computers.
Disenchanted with corporate city life
That led them to Sydney, but after becoming disenchanted with corporate city life, they moved to Kangaroo Creek to grow tea trees and live off-grid. Barrie became campaign manager for the Greens, helping to stop a proposed pulp mill, and was also the local bushfire equipment officer. In time, they made the move to Byron Shire, settling in Wilsons Creek.
Barrie and Marleen both had a passion for travel, and spent time in many exotic, off the beaten track areas, including a spell teaching English in an orphanage in China’s Yunnan province.
But perhaps their favourite destination was Nepal, a country they returned to many times, forming lasting friendships with the local people through volunteering with the Empowering the Women of Nepal project.
TAFE, antique tools and markets
In Byron Shire, Barrie used his skills in many areas, from teaching small business courses at TAFE, to restoring antique tools, and selling them at the Shire’s markets, along with treasures collected on their many travels.
He established the stallholder association, and was a part time manager for Bangalow markets.
Barrie’s life was defined by his personal credo: care for each other. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and family.
