Brian Berry is a Logan local with a big wallet, and an even bigger heart.
Last week Mr Barry, 92-years-old (about to turn 93), donated $200,000 across five schools in Logan – all in the name of his late wife, Myra Harris.
Ms Harris passed away two years ago.
She was described as a kind, caring and beautiful mentor who helped everyone in the community, especially the widows of fallen soldiers.
She led the Logan Legacy Care Group for 10 years and has ended up leaving a legacy of her own.
To honour his wife and to fulfil her desire to give all children “every opportunity”, Mr Berry donated cheques of $40,000 to five Logan schools.
Because of Mr Berry’s donation,
- Mabel Park State High School can now purchase laptops for students-in-need;
- Mabel Park State School can establish an all-abilities playground for disabled students;
- Berrinba East State School can kick-start their community hub project;
- Woodridge State School can build a new pirate-ship playground; and
- Logan City Special School can purchase a new bus.
The acting business manager at Logan City Special School, Sue Prior, said the $40,000 would make a “huge” impact on students.
“Our students travel out for work experience and community-based learning, so having an extra bus will make a world of difference to these kids,” Ms Prior said.
“We’re very blessed to have Mr Berry in the community.
“To be a good person, to be generous, to be forward-thinking about young people and what they can achieve if you help them is wonderful.”
Mr Berry’s friends described him as possessing a “wicked sense of humour” and a heart of gold, with an endless catalogue of stories.
It seems his favourite stories are about his wife.
“She was the first person to ever show me what true love is,” he said.
According to Mr Berry, Ms Harris wished to give children equality of opportunity, and he said it felt “bloody good” to have helped make her dreams a reality.
“I know how she would have appreciated it if she was still here,” he said.
“I have a feeling she’s standing beside me now, saying ‘bloody good on you’.”
Mr Berry gave detailed accounts of his childhood, his many different careers, and how his relationship with Ms Harris began – proving his mind is years younger than his age.
They fell in love 22-years-ago, the day Mr Berry was diagnosed with cancer.
“She said to me… ‘I’m going to see you through this’,” Mr Berry said.
“… and we were together from that day on.”
But he isn’t the only person to share deep affection and admiration for Ms Harris.
Eunice Smith, Ms Harris’ friend of more than 20 years and her successor as the Logan Legacy Care Group leader, said she was the “most amazing woman I’ve ever met”.
“She gave me a lot of confidence in myself and helped me through my loneliness when I lost my husband,” Ms Smith said.
“I’m just one of hundreds that she helped.”
