Mr Barry Irwin

Architect and BSHS Past Students Assoc. Registrar

Barry Irwin attended Brisbane State High School from 1958 to 1961. This was a period when boys and girls were segregated in the classroom during lunch times and walking around campus. There were also separate entrances into the red brick building for senior boys and girls.

Since these years, his involvement with the school has been ongoing and everlasting. Starting as a student, becoming a parent of four, third generation BSHS students, aiding in significant architectural developments and now contributing to the alumni and centenary projects. Irwin has fond memories of trialling for the football team despite his small stature at the time and was in the First VIII for three years. Additionally, Irwin was always interested in art classes, which were not segregated and which provided him with a "do it yourself" creative attitude. He really appreciated any work with a visual component and thus undertook a Bachelor of Architecture at UQ (1962-1967).

Irwin not only aided BSHS in property acquisitions, campus planning and architectural developments, but has also been the BSHS PSA registrar since 1994 and editor of AMICUS, the Past Students' Association's (PSA) newsletter from 1998 to the present. From these positions he has observed the dramatic evolution that "sturdy old State High" has undergone. When BSHS first opened in 1921, there were only 400 students. During Irwin's enrolment in the 1950s and 1960s, the number rose to 1100, compared to now in 2020 with approximately 3,500 students. The school possesses a rich diversity in its student population and Irwin is proud to be a part of the State High family. He promoted the "Spirit of State High" with the introduction of the annual Spirit of State High trophy in 2014 and installed the Premiership Honour Board in 2017.

Irwin's other involvement in his State High story, include:

• BSHS PSA member - 1964 to present
• BSHS 75th Anniversary convenor - 1996
• BSHS Foundation founding and current director - 1999 to present
• BSHS P and C Association hon. life member - 2000
• BSHS unofficial archivist and historian
• BSHS Legends Committee convenor - 2001 to present
• BSHS Centenary Planning Committee – 2020 / 2021

In addition to his significant involvement in the school at many levels for over 60 years, Barry also enjoys holidaying to a variety of destinations. His favourites include France, Myanmar, Chile and Machu Picchu.

Written by Lucille Bennett*

*NB: This alumni profile was crafted by a State High student as part of the school's student/alumni interview project during the 2021 Centenary celebration.