The man who saved Australia’s most iconic football team from oblivion has died just hours after the team completed one of its most memorable grand final victories.
Barry Vining, 85, suffered a heart attack and could not be revived after watching the Newtown Jets secure a last-gasp 28-22 grand final victory over the North Sydney Bears in the Cup decider NSW on Sunday.
He had been club president for 32 years during the most tumultuous years in Jets history and was watching the finals at home when tragedy struck.
A good friend of Barry’s told him 2GB that his last moments were spent celebrating his beloved Jets after their great final victory.
“He was so excited, he’s 85 now, he was so excited he literally had a heart attack and unfortunately he was with his lovely wife Vicki and her family watching from home,” said the man, called only Rob. .
“They had to work on him as much as they could, they called an ambulance and worked on him and unfortunately he didn’t survive.”
Barry is credited with saving the Newtown Jets from total extinction.
“Mr Vining will always be remembered as one of the most effective and respected club presidents in Newtown’s 116-year history,” the club said in a statement.
“A celebration of Barry’s contribution to the Newtown Jets is being organized and details will be released soon.”
Former President Barry Vining (left) is pictured with Newtown and St George legend Johnny Raper before his passing.
Barry had been watching the Newtown Jets win the NSW Cup just hours before he died (pictured, the Jets celebrating their victory on Sunday).
The Jets, originally known as the Newtown Bluebags, were expelled from the NSWRL first grade competition in 1983 due to financial difficulties.
During the wild years of 1984 to 1990, the club struggled to survive without fielding a team of any grade. Their resilience paid off with a return to competitive play in the NSWRL Metropolitan Cup and subsequent promotion to the NSW Cup.
Rob said Barry had such a deep love for the Jets that he would have loved to go out the way he did.
“I don’t think I could have orchestrated it better. If he had to leave, I think that would have been the path for Barry,” he said.
“I know it’s a sad time when someone passes away, but if Barry left, I don’t think he would have dealt with it any better… he lived for that team and that club.”
Tributes have begun to pour in from longtime Jets fans.
‘I have just heard the sad news of the passing of Barry Vining, a great supporter of the Newtown Jets. He was president of our club and was part of the reason we were able to keep the club going after 1983. RIP,” one follower posted.
‘Very sad news, a true Bluebag legend. RIP,” another fan added.
“My condolences, RIP Barry, you were the most important person in the survival and resurgence of the Jets,” lamented another.
Growing up in Camperdown, Barry early embraced his passion for rugby league and became a devout Newtown supporter.
Barry joined the board of directors of Newtown RLFC in 1980 and rose to the position of chairman in 1986. Alongside director Terry Rowney, he played a crucial role in preserving the club during its wild years from 1984 to 1990, a period in which the club did not field a team in any grade.
Under his leadership, Newtown rose from obscurity to become a prosperous and respected member of the New South Wales Rugby League.
Barry led the club through its years in the NSWRL Metropolitan Cup competition, achieving a premiership in 1992 and a notable hat-trick of premierships from 1995 to 1997 under coach Colin Murphy.
His efforts, along with those of Terry Rowney and skipper John Singleton, facilitated Newtown’s promotion to the second-tier New South Wales Rugby League in 2000, now known as the New South Wales Knock-On Cup. .
For the Newtown Jets to claim the 2019 NRL State Championship was a crowning glory after the club had been in the wilderness for most of the 1980s.
The club’s resurgence was marked by premiership wins in 2012 and 2019, and an NRL State Championship in 2019.
Beyond rugby league, Barry’s influence extended to the air transport industry. His 45-year career included serving as Director of the Australian Federation of International Freight Forwarders for 24 years, with a seven-year term as President.
In 1995, Barry was elected Vice President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA) and honored as an Honorary Member at the FIATA World Congress in 2011.
His dedication to ethical practices, good governance and the public interest defined his business legacy.
Barry Vining’s life was a testament to commitment, vision and integrity.
Newtown has carved a niche for itself as a down-to-earth, family-friendly rugby league in Sydney’s trendy Inner West, ensuring Barry’s legacy will be felt for many years to come.