June2014_Vale: Barry James Cochrane
On the 18th May Barry passed away after a long illness. He was born on the 23rd March, 1938 and at 5 years of age began attending the Wilston State School and later went to Brisbane Boys Grammar.
When he finished his secondary education he wanted to become a farmer. His parents, Jim and Doris Cochrane took some convincing as his father had a successful drainage business, but in 1931, when Jim was a teenager, he worked for his brother-in-law Ian Salisbury of Closeburn who grew bananas and ran a dairy. However, shortly after Barry expressed his wish to be a farmer he heard that the old Salisbury farm was on the market and eventually bought the 300 acre property. Barry was 17 years of age when the family moved to the farm on the 15th March, 1955, but unfortunately, after several years he developed a health problem and was told he should find a less strenuous way of making a living.
Barry wanted to continue his interest in farming and very soon found himself employed at Queensland Country Life and worked hard to advance to be a senior journalist travelling around Queensland’s rural properties to report improvements in farming. He met his future wife Joyce Stanton of Aspley at Junior Farmers meetings and local dances. They married in 1960 at the Albert Street Methodist Church and went on to have 3 children, Michelle, David and Cameron, who, between them, presented Barry and Joyce with 8 grandchildren.
Barry continued with Queensland Country Life until 1972 when his father had several heart attacks at 57 years of age. Barry, Joyce and family then came back to Closeburn so Barry could take over the management and eventually ownership of the dairy. He also had a trucking business and was asked to take on several directorships with different companies.
It was only in the last 7 years that his health deteriorated to such an extent that he was unable to continue his busy schedule.
He will be much missed by his family and friends.
