Barry Lyons (mayor)
Barry Lyons | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo | |
| In office 2013–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Lisa Ruffell |
| Succeeded by | Peter Cox |
| Councillor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Lockwood Ward | |
| In office 2012–2016 | |
| Councillor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Kangaroo Flat Ward | |
| In office 2008–2012 | |
| Preceded by | David Jones |
| Succeeded by | Ward Abolished |
| Councillor of the Shire of Romsey for Lancefield Riding | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 May 1945[1] |
| Died | 19 October 2024 (aged 79)[1] |
| Spouse |
Betty McPherson (m. 1964) |
| Children | 5 |
Laurence "Barry" Lyons (10 May 1945 – 19 October 2024) was an Australian politician who served as mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo from 2013 to 2014, as a councillor of the City of Greater Bendigo from 2008 to 2016, and as a councillor of the Shire of Romsey in the 1970s.[2][3][4]
Political career
Lyons served as a member of the Shire of Romsey council in the 1970s, as a councillor for Lancefield Riding.[4][5]
Lyons was first elected to the City of Greater Bendigo council in the 2008 election in the Kangaroo Flat Ward, achieving 42.04% of the primary vote and 51.76% of the two-candidate preferred vote, defeating incumbent councillor and former mayor David Jones.[6]
In the 2012 election, Lyons contested the Lockwood Ward after new three-ward structure was introduced. He was elected with 12.66% of the vote.[7]
In November 2013, Lyons was elected mayor by the council for a one-year term.[8] He held the role during a period that included significant public debate over the proposed construction of a mosque in the city.[9] Lyons oversaw the development and completion of several infrastructure projects, including the Kangaroo Flat Leisure Centre (now Gurri Wanyarra) indoor pool, the redevelopment of the Bendigo Library, and the expansion of the Bendigo Art Gallery. He was involved in collaboration between local and state governments to support regional development, including sporting facility upgrades and investment initiatives.[9]
In the 2016 election, Lyons lost his seat after winning only 9.78% of the primary vote.[10] Lyons once again contested Lockwood Ward in the 2020 election, achieving 13.42% of the primary vote, but failed to win a seat.[11]
Personal life
Lyons married Betty McPherson on 30 October 1964.[12] They had five children.[3][12] In November 2023, Lyons was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. He died on 19 October 2024, aged 79, shortly before his 60th wedding anniversary.[3]
References
- ^ a b "LYONS, Laurence (Barry)". My Tributes. Archived from the original on 26 October 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "Past Councillors". City of Greater Bendigo. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ a b c O'Callaghan, Tom (28 October 2024). "Vale Barry Lyons: 'He wasn't just my dad, he was my best friend'". Bendigo Advertiser. Archived from the original on 31 December 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ a b Holzer, Louis L., ed. (1976). Victorian Municipal Directory (96th ed.). Brunswick, Victoria: Arnall & Jackson. p. 843. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ Lovell, Wendy (14 November 2024). "Barry Lyons - Members statements - Thursday 14 November 2024 - Legislative Council - Hansard". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ "2008 council election results". Victorian Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ "2012 council election results". Victorian Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ "Barry Lyons named new Bendigo mayor". ABC News. 24 October 2013. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ a b O'Callaghan, Tom (28 October 2024). "'Tenacity': how Barry Lyons steered city in dark days of Mosque protests". Bendigo Advertiser. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ "2016 council election results". Victorian Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 18 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bendigo City Council election results 2020". Victorian Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ a b "50th wedding anniversary: Betty McPherson and Barry Lyons". Bendigo Advertiser. 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2025.