Ironman Icon Barry Rodgers Remembered

By Madeleine Gray on August 3, 2016 in News

Some people are institutions in and of themselves. They carry with them a sense of strength and fortitude. St Catherine’s School swimming coach and Ironman champion Barry Rodgers was one of these people.

Barry passed away on June 7, 2016, after a long and private battle with cancer. He was 74 years old.
Chances are that if you or your kids went to swimming training at St Cath’s, you knew Barry. He was the one standing behind the diving boards, emanating an unmistakable air of authority.

Starting at St. Cath’s in 1981, Barry soon became more than just a swimming coach. As well as being promoted to Head Swimming Coach and Pool Manager, Barry introduced the after school learn-to-swim program, which still exists today. He was also an integral part of the St. Cath’s water polo program.

St. Catherine’s Headmistress Dr Julie Townsend praised Barry’s contribution to the school.

“He was the embodiment of grit and determination, striving always to do his best and the best for the girls in his care,” she said. “In his career at St. Catherine’s he rarely took a day’s sick leave, and was training girls right up until the end.”

If you’re involved in surf lifesaving, you’ll probably know that it was Barry and his mate Hayden Kenny who first introduced ironman racing to Australia, and that Barry won the national ironman title on a number of occasions.

Barry was an unavoidable presence in the surf lifesaving community. He won nine national surf lifesaving titles and was a proud member of Maroubra Surf club for 60 years.

On April 16 this year, Barry made his way up to the Sunshine Coast to watch the ‘Aussies’ (Australian Surf Life Saving Championships) and celebrate 50 years of Ironman. That’s the kind of guy he was. Despite being sick, he pulled through to see everyone one last time.

According to event organiser and former Australian Ironman Champion Greg Allum, it was Barry’s desire to see the half century realised that helped him keep fighting.

“It’s been said that he just hung out for that event,” Mr Allum said. “He was so looking forward to it and having a great time.”

Since news of his passing has spread, there has been an outpouring of grief and public remembrance – it seems that everyone has a story to tell about Barry, and about how he touched their lives.

Maroubra resident Luke Platt shared his Barry memory online.

“I joined Maroubra Surf Club when I was 12 years of age,” he said. “One of the first blokes I met was Baz Rodgers.

“I felt nervous meeting such a club and surf lifesaving icon, but Baz treated me that day as he did throughout my whole career at the surf club: he was welcoming, friendly and kind.”

Throughout his life, Barry was honoured in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the Surf Life Saving Association Ironman Hall of Fame and the NutriGrain Hall of Legends. Before his death, St Catherine’s School also created the Barry Rodgers Aquatic Athlete of the Year speech night award in his honour.

Vale Barry Rodgers – a local legend and an Australian inspiration. You will be missed.