Sir Arthur George Barrett

Sir Arthur Barrett (1895-1984) enlisted in both World wars, serving in Europe during the First World War, and as Wing Commander in the Air Training Corps in South Australia during the Second World War. In business life he was Manager of the malt producers Barrett Bros Pty Ltd. Arthur Barrett became a Councillor for Robe Ward from 1931 to 1937. In 1937 he was elected Lord Mayor and served in that role until 1941. He then remained on Council as an Alderman until 1953. During his period as Lord Mayor one of the major achievements of the Council was the completion of the building of new City Baths in January 1940. During the war years he was closely involved with recruiting and other aspects of the war effort. His contribution to the community included fifteen years as Chairman of the Red Cross. This interview was conducted in the company of Sir Arthur's wife and former Lady Mayoress Jean Barrett and she also contributes many of her reminiscences.

This entertaining interview with the Barretts was the first conducted for the "reminiscence project". It focuses on the period 1931-1941 when Arthur Barrett was a Member of Council and therefore deals particularly with aspects of life during the Depression and in the war years. The Barretts talk of the changes they have witnessed in the City of Adelaide during this period. They discuss many and varied aspects of the Lord Mayoral role from elections, to receptions and functions, to re-decorations in the Town Hall.

Interviewer : Jill Cavanough
20 July 1978
2 ¼ hours approx. (2 x 90 min tapes)
Edited Transcript (31 p.) Open Access

Extract from 'City Memory' written and prepared by Oral Historian Dr. Karen George for the City of Adelaide © Corporation of the City of Adelaide 1999