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Life Member Barry Lewis nominated for 2019 South Australia Senior Australian of the Year

The South Australian, Australian of the Year Awards took place on Thursday evening at Adelaide Oval, with our very own Life Member Barry Lewis in the running to be named 2019 South Australia Senior Australian of the Year. As one of four South Australians nominated for this Award, Barry was joined by 15 other South Aussies and over 100 people from across all State and Territories around Australia in the following categories: South Australia Australian of the Year, South Australia Senior Australian of the Year, South Australia Young Australian of the Year and South Australia Local Hero. Barry Lewis, a former Superintendent, has clocked up more than 43 years as an umpire after starting his umpiring career with the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) while he was a constable stationed at Port Adelaide police station in 1974. A respected stalwart around the grounds of the Adelaide Football League, Barry was the umpire allocated to the C7 division for over a decade, and at his peak umpired six to eight games each weekend across divisions to reach an outstanding 2000th match milestone in 2016. A strong believer in inclusion through sport, Barry has officiated for many leagues including the SANFL, South Australia Primary and Secondary Schools, South Australian Women’s Football League, police football carnivals, Aboriginal football carnivals, national deaf football carnivals, Southern Football League, and the South Australian Amateur Football League. Inclusive Sport SA CEO John Cranwell said, “Barry has always had an active presence in the inclusion space in football. Never missing a match as an umpire of the C7 division, Barry earnt the reputation as the voice of reason; always taking the time to speak to players after matches on what behaviour worked well and advice for areas that may need improvement”. “He is a strong and positive role model, with a genuine interest in the lives of our players. I wish him the best and congratulate him on his well-deserved nomination.” A compassionate and fair man Barry’s influence on all the players and families of the C7 division is evident with the amount of respect and appreciation he is shown on and off the field; receiving a roaring applause at award evenings and bestowed seven Umpire Golden Whistles and five South Australia Football Association’s Umpire of the Year awards. Nominated for Inclusive Sport SA Life Membership in 2016, Barry has life membership of the SA Amateur Football League Umpires Association (and received the first 1000 game certificate in 2018); the South Australia Police Football Association; the Australian Police Football Association (awarded ‘Legend Status in 2018); the Port Adelaide Police Social Club; and, Inclusive Sport SA. Although unfortunately not named the winner on the night, we would like to congratulate Barry on his nomination for this prestigious award.