Roy Jackson Barcham 1921-2006

A LIFE DEDICATED TO PUBLIC SERVICE

Roy Barcham was a great-grandson of Henry Barcham who emigrated to Australia in 1854. For 25 years Roy was employed at the photographic company, Kodak, eventually becoming sales manager for Victoria. During World War II Roy served in the Australian Army and was involved in campaigns in Morotai, Papua New Guinea and Borneo.

Roy was President of the Melbourne Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1958 and later an office bearer in the Australian Junior Chamber of Commerce and Junior Chamber International. From 1962 to 1982 Roy was a member of the Australian Government Trade Commissioner Service. His first appointment was to New York. Over the next 20 years Roy was posted to Trade Commissions around the world, including Beirut, Nairobi, Hong Kong, Mexico, Port Moresby (PNG), Manchester (Consul General in 1981), London (Senior Trade Commissioner and Councillor Commercial) and finally to New York as Senior Trade Commissioner and Assistant Consul General. After retirement Roy was a director of several public companies and for eight years he was the administrator of the Toorak Uniting Church. In 1985 he published his autobiography Recollections.

Roy married Hazel Reid and they have three children: Jennifer, John and Richard. Hazel died in 1989. Roy lived in Melbourne with his second wife Christina Sofarnos. He will be missed by many friends, former colleagues in the Australian Trade Commission and relations. He set an example to us all by overcoming childhood adversities and rising to the pinnacle of his career.