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PRESENTATION BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SIR ROBERT BARRIE PROJECT REGARDING THE HMCS BARRIE PAINTING
Bill Sergeant provided a presentation concerning the painting of the His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) that is being presented to the City of Barrie.
Mr. Sergeant discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• An overview of the HMCS Barrie Project;
• The history of the HMCS Barrie that served primarily as a convoy escort during the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War, and the distinguished crew that served aboard the Ship;
• A photograph illustrating the “Panchito Crest” of the HMCS Barrie;
• The Sir Robert Barrie Project Committee members;
• The donors to the Sir Robert Barrie Project;
• The artist of the painting, a Canadian Marine artist named Peter Rindlisbacher;
• The volunteers who provided their time and expertise associated to Sir Robert Barrie Project; and
• Photographs illustrating the moving of the HMCA Barrie (K-138) Model to City Hall, the Skippers of the HMCS Barrie, the Crew from 1945, and the painting framing by Petra Hewson of the MacLaren Art Centre.
Mr. Sergeant invited Mayor Lehman, former Mayor and Honourable Coronel Janice Laking, and former Councillor and Honourable Coronel Rob Warman to participate in the unveiling of the painting. A cadet from the Sea Cadets rang the HMCS Barrie Bell during the unveiling of the painting.
Mayor Lehman and former Mayor Laking presented a smaller painting of the HMCS Barrie to Don Houghton as a token of appreciation for his technical expertise with the Project.
In closing, Mr. Sergeant thanked the many donors in making the painting possible. He advised that the painting will be displayed in the reception area of the Mayor’s Office next to the painting of its Sister Ship “the Dragon”. Mr. Sergeant noted that the completion of the Project will include reproductions of the paintings to local museums, the Sea Cadets and to a local school.
Mayor Lehman expressed his gratitude on behalf of members of Council on the number of accomplishments from the Barrie citizens, the donors and technical support and skill that supported the work for Sir Robert Barrie Project. He recognized the importance of Sir Robert Barrie and the vessel that is the City’s name sake. He thanked everyone who participated in the Project and for their hard work and dedication.