It is with great sadness that I advise of the passing away of our Deputy Chairman Barry Baillie, yesterday afternoon. Theo Whitmont, the President of the CCIA NSW said this morning that Barry had recently contracted pneumonia and was unable to recover.

Barry has been a long standing Tourism Industry Council NSW Board member for the last decade and Deputy Chairman for over half that time. His commitment to the Council and the wider industry was well known. Barry served on many industry and related bodies including the NSW Premier’s Department, Chairman and CEO of the NSW Meat Industry Association, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and the Board of Trustees for the University of Western Sydney. Throughout Barry's time on the Council,  the CCIA NSW has been one of our strongest supporters and we are indebted to Barry's contribution, goodwill and advice.

To quote Theo, "He worked unstintingly fostering our Association and furthering in countless ways the industry which he so loved and was so committed to. His loss will be felt for many years to come not only by his family, close friends and colleagues but those who will get the benefits of his significant industry legacy."

Barry also brought a great sense of humour to the Board table and we will greatly miss his off the cuff remarks that could ease more serious discussion.

We pass on our thoughts and condolences to his immediate family and will advise of the funeral arrangements, once they are known. 

This is a very sad day for our industry and lets all pause for thought for a few minutes as we have our own personal memories of Barry.