Memories of Leith Barter 14/09/1947 - 09/07/2012

The Moreton Bay Region recently lost a gracious gentleman who inspired many, and was passionate and dedicated to researching, recording and sharing their local history.

Leith Barter worked as a professional historian and Local Studies Librarian at Pine Rivers for 13 years before retiring at the end of 2010. His first task in this role was to get the North Pine Historical Society up and running with a special focus on the North Pine area.

Leith was also an advisor and mentor for the Dayboro District Historical Society and of great help in obtaining information on indigenous pioneers for their Heritage Walk. Similarly, Samford Museum members had a symbiotic relationship with this knowledgeable gentleman, with him often asking members for assistance when researching topics.

One of his projects included an important oral history, detailing the vivid memories from the Samford district locals, of the 1947 rail crash at Camp Mountain. Mrs Eileen Kemp from the museum feels the “Samford Village Heritage Trail is richer for Leith’s professional involvement”.

Contributions by Leith to the Pine district included video orals, the book Pioneering the Pine, successfully obtaining a Q150 grant to research and produce a DVD on one of his favorite projects, the Normanby Rum Distillery, and the DVD record of the Two Centuries of the Pine Shire.

Leith had described his time with the Pine Rivers Council as “the golden age” of his career. He once stated that he was “fortunate to be working in a job that he loved.” One of the many projects he was involved in during retirement was to successfully obtain a RADF grant in order to write a book on the history of the whole Moreton Bay Region. Sadly, due to his untimely passing, this hasn’t yet gone to print, but he had believed the project was progressing well.

It is highly likely that due to his attributes of attention to detail, and meticulous organisational skills, someone else will be able to complete the book. Leith had the honour of being considered the authority onlocal history in the Moreton Bay Region.

He was often late to appointments due to wanting to get the most out of everything. This included attending as many meetings as possible, book launches, performances and ceremonies in his quest to increase his knowledge and that of others. His remarkable recall and memory for dates helped him to glean new information from people and places without having to spend much time taking notes.

Even though he spent much time exploring history, Leith always had special times with his family. His career spanned over 40 years, taking his family to places throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea. He used his humour and sense of adventure to take them to places unheard of, and to inspire them with his love of history, geology, aboriginal painting, fishing and sailing the boats he had built.

The family gave him a break away from the books/library. During his time in Papua New Guinea, he trekked the Kokoda Track, and worked at the university library. While in South Australia he was involved in an archeological dig. A lifetime membership with the Northern Territory Historical Society preceded him coming to the Moreton Bay Region with a career there working in a Darwin parliamentary library, lecturing at TAFE colleges, compiling a book and co-editing another.

Another creative outlet was his love of music, developing a broad taste for tunes which he sung in a deep voice. He is remembered for performing at functions in his own time. Once retired, he followed the Karaoke circuits singing his favorite tune “Sweet Caroline”.

Leith Barter will be sadly lost and missed as he encouraged and motivated locals in their naïve attempts at research and writing. Even though highly educated, he had the ability of being able to descend to the amateur’s level without intimidating them. His door was always open.

Leith would quickly sort out evasive research ideas, directing ambitious would-be historians to areas rich in knowledge. Sometimes as the researcher’s knowledge increased, along with their confidence, they would enthusiastically return to Leith with a “new discovery” - only to find he had previously revealed the facts.