Tony Barlow has been remembered as a man who would always put his hand up to help his community, following his passing last week.
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Tony passed away last Friday, January 31, at the age 74 following a battle with cancer.
A well-known personality in Group 11 Rugby League, Tony was a much-loved figure in his home town of Narromine due to the sheer amount of community work he undertook.
Not only a long-serving member of the Narromine Jets and Group 11 boards, Tony was also the CEO of the Timbrebongie House aged care facility, and spent time as the president of the Narromine United Services Memorial Club (USMC) for 10 years, was a bank manager, a trainer who ran accreditation courses, the secretary of the Volunteer Rescue Association, and was part of many other various groups at different times.
Bob Walsh, a close mate who will read the eulogy at Tony's funeral on Thursday, said he was always happy to put his hand up and help out.
"If he saw a need for something, he'd fill it. He was just one of those blokes," Walsh said.
Tony lived in Narromine for three decades and started in town as the owner of a service station.
Prior to that he'd been a bank manager in Ballina, while he also spent time in Wellington before then.
He became well known for his work behind the scenes in rugby league, but in his younger years he featured on the field as well and played alongside future Australian Kangaroos representative and two-time premiership winner Cliffy Lyons in Gundagai.
Another passion of Tony's was basketball.
His involvement was so great was a trainer for the NSW under 20 boys and girls' sides which toured China in 2001.
But some of his best work came in more recent times as the CEO of the Timbrebongie House.
Archie Harding, the current president of the Narromine Jets, is another who had plenty to do with Tony and he saw the impact he had at that facility.
"Everyone there loved him," Harding said.
"He just had the time and patience for them. He was so well-liked."
Tony played a major role in helping Timbrebongie secure funding for the development of a retirement village last year and while he did a huge amount of work, Harding said it would be a great shame his mate wouldn't be there to see it completed.
"He'll be sadly missed. It will leave a big hole in the community," Harding added.
Harding has now taken on the role of president at the Narromine USMC and he said that position was a real "feather in the cap" for Tony during his time in the role.
"He just wanted to be involved," Harding said.
When it came to rugby league, Tony spent more than two decades involved with the Jets and Group 11.
He was a life member of the group, was its treasurer for many years and doubled as minute secretary at the same time.
Current Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley described him as someone who "was prepared at any time to do whatever he could for individual clubs, the Group and the game itself" and added Tony was a "wonderful man who will be missed".
Tony is survived by his wife, Colleen, sons Josh and Craig, and four grandchildren.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
