Vale - Barney Cooney

It is with deep regret that we note the recent passing of Senator Barney Cooney who attended St Kevin’s College for 6 years and played 134 games for SKOB from 1953 to 1964.

Barney was a tireless ruckman who would ‘ruck all day’ if that was required, and became only the eighth player to reach the 100 games milestone for the Club.

Barney signed the Bar Roll in February 1961, practising mainly in personal injury and industrial law. In 1983 he chaired a Committee of Inquiry which implemented a financially viable and socially responsible system of Workers’ Compensation.

Barney entered politics in 1985 and was an ALP Senator for 17 years, serving on and chairing a number of Committees. In his own words, the precept he followed was that “courtesy and grace are forever needed in debate. A civil society cannot be at its best unless constituents treat each other civilly”.

A member of the Bar has written “He was one of the finest people to grace the public stage – forget the politics – his humanity and kindness shone like a beacon”.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Ignatius’ Church, Richmond on Friday 22 February at 1.30pm.