Barry Smith
In memory of Barry Smith
9.02.1934 – 14.4.2026 (aged 92)
Over a period of 22 years, Barry, "Old Silver", "Gramp", was a much-loved and respected English teacher, cricket coach, Boarding House Master, School Administrator, Deputy Headmaster and, for 10 of those years, Headmaster at Ballarat Grammar School.
He was not just a teacher of English but a teacher about life. He was a mentor and role model for students and adults. By his words of wisdom and personal example, he taught about fairness, integrity, leadership, how cricket should be played, and how to treat others with respect, manners and courtesy. He was a true gentleman as well as a gentle man.
Barry's life was far from ordinary. It was full of adventures and achievements he did not often talk about. As a young 23-year-old, he spent 10 years as a teacher in Papua and New Guinea, starting (and often building) new schools in Mt Hagen, an island called Logea and Port Moresby. He also established one of the first boarding schools in the village of Wabag, situated in the most beautiful, dangerous and isolated part of the central highlands of New Guinea. He had a great respect for the culture of the Papuans and worked with an interpreter, later learning the various dialects and Pidgin English to communicate. He had a love for this country and its people and shared many magical (and difficult) moments living in an underdeveloped country with few modern amenities, with his wife, Rose, and three children. These early experiences brought a compassion and understanding of people that he took into all aspects of his professional and personal life.
He returned to Australia with his family and completed a year at Haileybury in Melbourne before teaching at Geelong Grammar, combining his role as a Primary School Teacher and Boarding House Master. Together with Rose, he gave these young students a sense of stability, care and family while away from their own homes.
Barry then moved to Ballarat Grammar, initially as a senior English teacher and Boarding House Master. Smith House was named after him in recognition of the wonderful work, dedication and care he gave the School, the boarders and their families in this role.
The period of Barry's Headmastership was a difficult one. Leading the School through the recession in the early 1990s was particularly demanding. The rural recession hit the livelihoods of so many of the School's boarding families and prospective parents but, with the constant support of Rose, Barry fought hard to maintain the programs that were so central to the unique character of the School. He also started new initiatives, one example being the drug and alcohol Life Education van in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ballarat.
Barry had so many wonderful qualities. He really listened, as though what you were saying mattered. He had a calmness about him, with a steady, grounded presence that never needed to be loud to be felt. His kindness, loyalty, generosity and the way he gave his time so freely never made it feel like a burden.
Barry rarely spoke about himself or his achievements, and yet somehow, you always walked away feeling like you had learned something. He was a wonderful conversationalist, and he had that rare way of being fully present, interested in your world, what you were doing, how you were going, and not just in passing… he remembered. He knew people, remembered them and he truly saw them. And for many, that is what made him so special, especially to his loving family, who miss him daily.
In retirement, Barry was involved in teaching at The Forestry School, serving on various school boards (including Loreto), and participating in the Rotary Club, to name a few. As mentioned, he had many achievements, one being awarded the Order of Australia in recognition of his extraordinary, wonderful and varied work in education.
The School was extremely fortunate that Barry led with competence and compassion for those many years and was blessed to have been profoundly influenced and cared for by Barry, "Old Silver", "Gramp". Hold your memories and your feelings of your time with Barry in your hearts — and be for someone else what Barry was for you.
Written and submitted by Robyn Crowe and Family
Acknowledgement of Country
Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, live and work, the Wadawurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Commitment to Child Safety
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse and actively implements measures to identify and manage any risks of harm to students within our school environment. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people are central and fundamental responsibilities of the School. We are firmly committed to fostering a child-safe culture that provides an environment where students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives. Ballarat Grammar values diversity and strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory practices. All members of our school community share the responsibility to care for children and young people by promptly raising any concerns regarding their safety, promoting their wellbeing, and protecting them from all forms of harm or abuse.
