After graduating in Chemical Engineering at Melbourne University, Barry joined a multi-national petrochemical company. Further tertiary studies in Economics and Politics did not divert him from his engineering career which saw him move into technology management in both Australia and the USA.

Development of technology for so-called synthetic fuels brought him to Sydney and occupied him through the 1980’s. Over that period he became increasingly disillusioned at the way fuels products were squandered, and at the political importance of fuels, particularly liquids.

His overseas assignments also allowed him the opportunity to observe at first hand the wonder and balance of the natural world - from the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the glaciers of North America and New Zealand.

Following an early retirement, Barry pursued interests in community and Permaculture. He joined Permaculture North (PN) in 2001 and has since seen its membership increase sixfold. He has been responsible for Communications on PN's Management Committee in recent years, including the co-sponsoring of the 2006 Sydney lectures on Peak Oil by Richard Heinberg and David Holmgren.

Currently he is assisting the organisation of the ninth Australian Permaculture Convergence to be hosted by PN over the 2008 Easter weekend.

Community activities led to him being elected to Willoughby Council in 2003. On Council, Barry has been a strong supporter of its environmental program and has been heartened by the recent decision to expand that activity to cover local sustainability and climate change issues.

He has also advocated for planning initiatives which will encourage a more compact Sydney, capable of feeding itself from within its own region. Barry advocates and practices active transport (walking and cycling) and works to increase Council's accountability.

He has further community involvement as a director of a small Victorian-based Credit Union.

Married with two children and four grandchildren, Barry is most concerned over the state in which the current generation will leave the planet.

Contact Barry

Tel 0408 029 412

bjth(at)bigpond.net.au