Kingaroy mourns death of veteran teacher, racing legend Barry Fitzhenry

The Kingaroy community has come together to mourn one of the town’s most beloved teachers in Barry Fitzhenry, remembering him for his passion for guiding the next generation and brilliant sense of humour.

The Kingaroy community has come together to pay tribute to one of the town’s most beloved teachers, remembering him for his passion for guiding the next generation and a brilliantly dry wit.

Barry Fitzhenry had been a familiar face at Kingaroy State High School since the early 1970s, with the school announcing his sudden passing on Sunday.

AND THEY'RE RACING: Barry Fitzhenry mans the microphone in the mounting enclosure.

Mr Fitzhenry worked as a science teacher during his decades-long stint at the region’s largest high school, heading the science department and stepping in as deputy principal and principal before his retirement in 2007.

After stepping back from teaching, Mr Fitzhenry gave much of his time to volunteering at the Goomeri Information Centre.

A touching tribute from the Kingaroy State High School leadership team remembered their friend and former colleague’s sense of humour and love for his pursuits outside of teaching.

“An intelligent man whose dry wit humoured many, Barry never sought the limelight but was always respected by students, parents and staff alike for his well-thought perspective, support and advice,” the post read.

“Outside his job, he loved horse racing and calling.”

Mr Fitzhenry was a life member of the Gympie Turf Club and spent many years supporting the Club as race caller.

As the voice of horse racing in the Gympie region, he also wrote the Turf Club notes for The Gympie Times for 50 years, providing hot tips to local punters and keepsaking the club’s history over the past five decades.

Barry Fitzhenry racing identity. Photo Craig Warhurst/The Gympie Times

Tributes flowed on social media for the beloved science teacher, with dozens of people remembering both his impact on their education journey and the wider community as a icon of the region’s racing scene.

“I have great memories of standing down beside him at Gympie Races while he called the races my dad’s horses were in. The good old days, ”Bonnie Farrow wrote.

“A quiet and intelligent man who made an impact in this noisy world. Condolences to his family,” Jodie Paul wrote.

“Teacher, colleague, family friend, master of the understatement... miss you Barry,” Pam Marquardt said.

“RIP Mr Fitzhenry. The year Mr Fitzhenry was guest speaker at Speech Night was hands down the best and funniest speech I ever heard,” Debbie Jackson said.

Mr Fitzhenry’s funeral will be held at 10am on Thursday, June 30, at Gympie Funerals (236 Brisbane Rd, Gympie).