Bye to Bernie

By Melissa Grant
FAMILY and friends will remember Bernard John Byrne as an inventor, prankster and cornerstone of the Nar Nar Goon community.
Bernard, known affectionately as Bernie or BJ, was farewelled last Thursday by more than 200 people.
Father Michael Willemsen led the service at St James’ Catholic Church in Nar Nar Goon – a fitting location considering Bernie helped build the church.
Bernie died on Good Friday aged 84, after a short battle with lung cancer.
Some of Bernie’s grandchildren and great grandchildren carried symbols of his life down the aisle of the chapel, including an aluminium can crusher – one of his many inventions – and a container full of his favourite snack – chocolate crackles.
Bernie’s sister Bet Burns, son Maurice, son-in-law Frank Handley and grandson Wade Crawford gave readings at the service.
They described Bernie as a kind-natured individual with a talent for building, who loved a joke.
They also spoke about his passion for Nar Nar Goon and told stories that didn’t make his book, My Side of the Black Stump, published only weeks before his death.
Grandson Wade Crawford said Bernie was an amazing individual who would be sorely missed.
“We were proud to call you our grandad and even more proud to call you our friend,” he said.
Mr Crawford read a message from his daughter Tayla who is on student exchange in Italy. He said Tayla, who turned 16 on Good Friday, had a special bond with her great grandfather and had inherited his love of writing.
“I’m amazed by how one person could contain so much greatness and goodness,” she wrote.
“You cared so much for so many but asked for little in return.
“You had silver in your hair and gold in your heart.”
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson described Bernie, who he knew for 30 years, as a colourful, determined, sincere and visionary individual.
“He was never content in solving yesterday’s problems,” he said.
Bernie was well-known and respected in Nar Nar Goon. He had long-standing involvements with numerous community groups including the town’s recreation reserve committee, hall committee, progress association and football club.
He was renowned for his ditties at the annual dinner of the Victorian Farmer Federation’s Cardinia Branch and for his contributions to the town’s newsletter The Goon News.
His community spirit won him the shire’s two highest accolades – The Stan Henwood and Cardinia Shire Citizen of the Year awards.
Fittingly, he was one of about 15,500 Australians to be awarded a Centennial Medal in 2003 for outstanding service to the community.
Bernie arrived in Nar Nar Goon from a Western District dairy farm at Irrewillipe, about 7km from Colac, in 1940. He took up residence at a diary farm on McCraw Road.
Having left school at 13, Bernie had minimal education but a talent for all things mechanical. He was a self-taught engineer and builder, and not long after building his own car from aluminium in the early 1940s became known as Nar Nar Goon’s Mr Fixit.
Bernie severed his hand while mowing Nar Nar Goon’s recreation reserve in the mid-1970s – and after it was reattached he didn’t let the lack of movement get in the way of making things.
“He still managed intricate engineering and construction. It was a testament to his determination,” his daughter Kerry told the Gazette.
Bernie married the love of his life Phyllis Mitchell in 1946, whom he met through stage work. The couple, who shared a passion for performing, had eight children and were inseparable until Phyllis passed away in 2002.
They called their property Tarara – Ararat spelt backwards – because both Phyllis and Bernie had lived on properties that were bounded by the Ararat Creek before and after their marriage.
After Thursday’s service, Bernie was laid to rest next to his beloved Phyllis, who he affectionately called Pie at Pakenham Cemetary.
Bernie is survived by seven of his children, 40 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren.