Barry Solomon OAM is a lifetime contributor to civic life in Geelong whose decades of service have left lasting impact on community organisations, local government and health services. In recognition of his extensive volunteering work, Solomon was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 for his service to the communities of Geelong.
Solomon left school in 1953 and joined the family department store in late 1954 after spending time in the RAN completing national service.
In local government he was a councillor of the City of Newtown and Chilwell chairing key committees and serving a central role in Victoria’s 150 birthday celebrations.
He joined the Rotary Club of Geelong West where he has been a member since 1995 and where he has been both President and board member. He was honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Solomon has held executive positions at a wide range of organisations including directorships at Geelong Hospital, Geelong and District Ambulance, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Barwon Regional Association for Alcohol and Drug Dependence, National Trust Geelong, and Geelong Disabled Peoples Industries.
He also played leading roles in public fundraising appeals for the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Anti-Cancer Council Campaign, and Grace McKellar House.
In addition to these community activities, Solomon was appointed chairman of Capital Building Society, Australian Friendly Society and BSR Mortgage Ltd. He was also appointed a Director of public companies Blakistons Ltd and Brunkhurst Ltd.
In 1953, Barry played in the combined APS Cricket team and the combined APS Football team. Barry won both the Cummins Memorial Cricket Prize and the Gus Kerney Memorial Scholar Prize in 1953.
Only three trainees in that intake, including Barry Solomon, were successful in joining the Navy; part of their training was ten weeks at sea on HMAS Vengeance, a light fleet carrier, which was the only vessel available to bring back the famous 77 Squadron Meteor jets from Korea. On their voyage they called in at Lae and Manus Island (at that time the most northern island of the Australian Protectorate).
The HMAS Vengeance webpage, http://vvww.navy.gov.au/HMAS Vengeance described the training program:
' In July 1954, Vengeance commenced service as a fleet training ship, including instruction for National Service trainees. On 27 October 1954, she sailed from Sydney for Japan to embark aircraft, men and equipment of 77 Squadron, RAAF, and return them to Australia. Vengeance sailed from Yokosuka on 19 November 1954 and arrived in Sydney on 3 December.'
Solomon was inducted into the OGCA Notables Gallery in 2025.