Lyall Barry

Lyall Scott Barry (15 May 1926 – 3 October 2003) was a New Zealand school teacher and inspector, and wrote a history of the Waimumu area in Southland. As a swimmer he won two medals at the 1950 British Empire Games.

Early life and family Born in Invercargill on 15 May 1926, Barry was educated from 1940 to 1944 at Nelson College where he was a member of the 1st XV rugby team in 1943, college swimming champion every year from 1940 to 1944, a prefect in 1943 and 1944, and played clarinet in the school orchestra. He went on to qualify as a primary school teacher at Christchurch Teachers' College and complete the one-year physical education specialist course at the Dunedin Teachers' College. He set national records in winning the 220 yards title in 1947 and the 100 yards in 1948.

Teaching career Barry began his teaching career as an itinerant physical education teacher, first in Southland and later in Canterbury. In 1956 he was appointed principal of the two-teacher Waimumu School, near Gore in Southland, and then in 1961, principal of Waianiwa School, also in Southland. Later he became principal of Queenstown District High School, where he was instrumental in expanding school facilities to include a swimming pool and a gymnasium.

Later life Following his retirement, Barry and his wife lived at Lake Kaniere for 15 years, where they restored an old house. They returned to Christchurch in 2000, and Barry died there on 3 October 2003.