Ronald David Barnes was a former North player who served his state and country with great distinction

Ron played nine games for the club under Haydn Bunton senior as coach and Ian McKay as captain in 1947 and 1948.

Ron’s service at North Adelaide may have been brief but his football career was book ended by wonderful service to both his state and country. His football career was delayed by his war service. He volunteered for the Navy at the age of 18 in 1942 and served for four years reaching the rank of sub-lieutenant at the tender age of 23.

After the war Ron became a career Public Servant and in 1975 he became the state’s 15th Under Treasurer serving in a conscientious and apolitical manner to the Dunstan, Corcoran, Tonkin and Bannon governments. Such was the regard in which Ron was held that he was nominated by New South Wales and appointed to the Commonwealth Grants Commission, a position he held for 10 years.

He was always well respected and liked by all employees of the South Australian Treasury.

The North Adelaide Football Club salute a past player who served his state and country with great distinction.