The College recently reconnected with Barry McAdie (SPC 1960-63) who has led an accomplished career developing policies to improve our railways, roads, road transport and aviation. Now retired, Barry loves following his passion with cars and motor sport.

 

Barry McAdie.

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?

I finished at SPC at the end of 1963 with first class honours in Economics and second-class honours in English literature, Latin and Roman history which earned me a Commonwealth Scholarship and the opportunity to go to university.

I obtained a Bachelor Degree in Economics and Politics at Monash University.

I was subsequently recruited by the Commonwealth Public Service starting in the Department of Navy at Albert Park Barracks during accountancy work.

I was subsequently promoted to the Department of Shipping and Transport in Elizabeth Street, and after getting married, was promoted and transferred with the department to Canberra. My work entailed developing policies to improve our railways, roads, road transport and aviation.

Notable tasks included:

  • Working with ex- Senator Ken Wriedt, as chairman of the Railway Industry Council, established to consult state Governments, rail authorities and rail unions to develop measures to improve the financial viability of Australia’s railways;
  • Undertaking inspections with the then Land Transport Minister, Bob Brown, of National Highways – the Hume Highway and resolving an issue with the Goulburn Bypass, the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway and developing a $ for $ program with NSW to improve the Pacific Highway following two horrific bus crashes;
  • Undertaking route location studies to identify possible rail routes to Melbourne Airport, a new National Highway route through the Pilbara region of WA; and a possible external bypass of the Hume at Albury-Wodonga;
  • Undertaking studies of overseas experience in privatising airports;
  • Visits to NZ to discuss a possible single aviation market between Australia and NZ and to discuss reforms carried out by the Lange Government to reform NZ’s road and rail transport systems;
  • Leading the Australian delegation to a conference of the international Civil Organisation in Montreal;
  • Developing forecasts of passenger and air traffic to and from Sydney for the 2000 Olympics to ensure the airport could cope with expected demands and identify areas for parking of large Head of State aircraft at other airports.

I retired at the age of 55 years in 2000 but continued with consultancy work on the Olympics, rail and aviation. With full retirement, I was able to continue with more vigour on following my passions with cars, motor sport and overseas travel.

 

Do you have family ties with SPC?

 No.

 

What are your fondest memories of SPC?

Playing sport and making friends.

Barry was ruck for the SPC Second XVIII, which he played in 1962 & 1963. This photograph was published in the 1963 College Annual. Barry is incorrectly identified as G.E. McAdie.

 

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?

Brother O’Malley and Brother Kelty, who both encouraged me to try harder in my studies.

Barry was awarded a Commonwealth scholarship, based on his impressive matriculation results.

How has your education shaped your professional life?

As mentioned above, it enabled me to obtain a scholarship to attend university which my parents would not have been able to afford. Economics was the primary focus of my working career interspersed with some realpolitik.

 

 

How was your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?

SPC engendered discipline and persistence in undertaking whatever tasks I endeavoured.

 

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?

Study hard, play hard, enjoy and always chase whatever dreams you may have.