January 23, 2023

Club mourns passing of Barry Duffy

North Ballarat Football Club mourns death of stalwart Barry Duffy


NAME the role and quiet, hard-working volunteer Barry Duffy likely stepped into it to help North Ballarat Football Club.

The Roosters are mourning the death of the club stalwart, who died last week aged 81. North Ballarat club historian Stanley Roberts, who had known Mr Duffy since they were children growing up in Ballarat, said Mr Duffy was a great all-rounder serving on committees and in odd handyman jobs about the club.

Mr Duffy was best known about Northern Oval as a long-serving barman for North Ballarat Sports Club who was also heavily involved in club fundraising.

He was a North Ballarat Football Club member for 60 years and was elevated to a life membership in 1982.


A motor mechanic by trade, Mr Duffy became involved in the club when his sons were juniors in the 1970s, serving on the junior committee including a post as treasurer. From there, Mr Duffy joined various sub-committees from juniors to seniors where needed, from liquor control to entertainment and social committees.

Mr Duffy took up a job behind the bar for the sports club after his retirement and became a beloved well-known figure pouring drinks.


As a barman, Mr Duffy also spent time working for colourful Ballarat identity "Shocka" Walker, whose family owned and ran the Miller's Arms in Doveton Street for almost 50 years. Mr Roberts said Mr Duffy was a "quiet bloke" and true bootsman, who would do anything and everything to help the club.

Mr Duffy was also a supportive figure in North Ballarat's successful push to join the Victorian Football League in 1996.

This was a move that helped elevate football as a whole in the region to a new level and opportunities. Mr Duffy, whose wife Patricia is deceased, is survived by his four sons Andrew, Mark, David and Matthew and five grandchildren.



North Ballarat Football and Sports Clubs has officially paid tribute to Mr Duffy as "one of our most respected life members" and a "valued active volunteer".


~ Article courtesy of The Courier




Share This Article

Other articles you may like

June 27, 2025
This great man turns 75 today! Congratulations "Floody" (also known as “Floodman”, but christened "Ian" by his parents). Floody has been a fixture at our club for pretty much all of those 75 years – a very funny man and friend to all. He has a swathe of North honours – Hall of Famer, Life Member, 221 Senior Club Games, Best Clubman (1975), Reserves Best and Fairest (1979 and 1982) … the list goes on! He’s the living definition of a true Northie and we love him to bits. HAVE A RIPPER FLOODY! Thanks for all you've done for us over the years. Fun fact: Floody has a twin sister, Patricia Finn (pictured with him), so we send our best wishes to Pat from the North family today as well! See some images below - click them to view larger versions.
June 25, 2025
Enjoy our super Gallery of photos from this year's North Ball below. Click on the images for a larger view. You can also download the photos directly to your device using this link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pyxficlu93eexdg12a8j4/AA_g-uEs6PTgNzhW1FOKiUM?rlkey=wywskre25favd2z79w9ca5bmy&st=ku5mgmxq&dl=0
Vale Wayne Strong
June 18, 2025
The North Ballarat family is sad to advise of the death of former Board Member Wayne Strong, who passed away recently at his home in Spain.
More Articles