Vale Peter Barnes

1 October 2026

Vale Peter Barnes

It is with great sadness we advise the athletics community the news of the passing of Peter Barnes, one the most valued and significant volunteers to athletics in NSW. Over four decades of service, Peter contributed to the sport at every level and almost in every aspect. He will be greatly missed.

As with many of our volunteers, they commenced their journey with their children jointed the sport. In January this year, Peter described his introduction to athletics.

“I registered my son in Little Athletics as a Tiny Tot at my sister’s suggestion in 1983. On his first day my sister handed me a stopwatch and “told” me to be a timekeeper. This was my introduction to officiating. I (mistakenly) believed everyone wanted to help. The following season I started undertaking officials’ courses.”

Peter soon joined the committee of Fairfield Little Athletics, now known as Cabravale Fairfield Athletics, and for the next two decades held key roles including Secretary and Treasurer, along with the championships and officials positions.

During these years, Peter meet Roise who was with the Bankstown club, but after they were married, she joined Fairfield too and started her long journey alongside Peter on the centre committee and as a Technical Official.

Peter’s centre involvement grew into Little Athletics zones and regions – two decades of service from the 1990s to 2005. It included the key leadership role of Mid-West Metropolitan Zone coordinator from 2000 to 2025.

He was also involved at a State level as a member of the LANSW Constitution Committee during the late 1990’s until mid-2000’s. That grew when in 2005 he was appointed to the LANSW Board of Management. For the next 14 years (until 2019) he served the sport in NSW at the highest level.

His roles included 2005 to 2017 Director for Officials and on two committees - Competitions and Championships and the Officials Committee for this entire period 2005 to 2019.

These years of service from Peter were significant. He made a sustained contribution to improving the way officials were educated, supported and deployed in NSW. During his time as Officials Director and Chair of the Officials Committee, he introduced and supported practical improvements including online examinations for officials and the use of new technology at carnivals. He also prepared, reviewed and regularly updated officials’ instructions, policies and guidelines. These initiatives made officiating more accessible, consistent and effective across the Little Athletics ecosystem in NSW.

Peter’s contribution involved ongoing review rather than one-off initiatives. He regularly reviewed officials’ instructions, policies and guidelines and contributed to work aimed at improving administration across the sport. His involvement in the development of initial plans to standardise officials’ databases across Australian states is another example of his focus on consistency, efficiency and better information management.

Peter actively encouraged participation in officiating and supported the recruitment and development of officials. He organised and conducted seminars and training sessions for existing and prospective officials, and made presentations at Little Athletics NSW conferences, Zone Coordinator workshops and Centre Committees. During his period of oversight and implementation of these initiatives, the number of officials trained and operating at Little Athletics events in NSW increased significantly.

He served as the LAA representative on the Australian Officials Education Committee; a joint national project concerned with developing and implementing an education scheme for officials and considering World Athletics rule changes and their implementation. He also served on the Joint Officials Advisory Committee involving Little Athletics NSW and Athletics NSW – a significant early precursor to the establishment of the NSW Athletics Partnership.

Through the decades of service, Peter was of course a regular Technical Official. He was appointed to a variety of roles including Check in, Call Room, Track, Jumps, Throws, Course Marshall (road races) and in recent years primarily appointed to TIC/Admin roles and often as Chief. He volunteered at school carnivals, right up to Australian Championships. He was also a Sports Specific volunteer at the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics and 2018 Commonwealth Games. Some of the many and varied competitions he was appointed as a Technical Official include: City to Surf, NSW Multi Disability, Transplant Games, Australian Masters, Sydney Marathon, Special Olympics Nationals, 2009 World Masters Games, 2012 World Firefighter Games, Australian Youth Olympic Festivals, Sydney Invitational, Sydney Track Classic, INAS and Invictus Games. These along with the regular NSW State, Country, and Combined events.

Peter’s incredible service has been recognised with Life Memberships from Cabravale Fairfield Athletics and LANSW.

What an incredible legacy Peter has left. The sport in a much better place because of him. Thank you Peter.

To Rosie, Peter’s family, athletics colleagues and friends, we extend our sincere condolences.

Rest in Peace Peter.

For those wishing to attend Peter Barnes’ Memorial Service, please see the details below:

Friday, 2nd October

Commencing at 11:00am

Olsens Farewells

83 The River Road, Revesby NSW 2212

For those who are unable to attend the service in person, a live stream will be available so you can join us from afar in remembering and celebrating Peter’s life.

Live Stream: https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/2AJRHU