It is with sadness that I acknowledge the life and contribution of Barry Wakelin, former Member for Grey, from March 1993 until November 2007.
Barry was a farmer, most at home on the land, who historically won Grey off of the Labor Party in 1993, going on to be re-elected on four subsequent occasions.
Bringing a down to Earth nature, Barry was able to connect across his vast electorate with everyone from fellow farmers, to industrial workers in the port cities of the Spencer Gulf, indigenous communities, fishing communities and mining communities.
A stalwart throughout the Howard Government, Barry stood for practical policies and worked hard to deliver for the diverse communities he represented, covering around 90 per cent of South Australia’s land mass.
In Barry Wakelin the people of Grey not only had a hardworking representative, but also benefited from a committed team. Barry’s wife Tina travelling the electorate just as widely, putting in the hard yards alongside Barry in what is one of the most challenging seats to represent in Australia.
I extend condolences of the federal Liberal family to Tina, their children and to all of Barry’s family and loved ones.