The lawyer and his wife, Nerida, have been integral in the founding of some of the Highlands’ most prominent events and attractions, including Bradman Museum and Bundanoon is Brigadoon.

And they proudly refer to themselves as vocal ambassadors for the little piece of Australia, known as the Southern Highlands, whenever they travel outside community boundaries.

As far as they are concerned, there is no equal.

“We think it’s the best place on the planet,’’ Mr Barnsley said.

The couple’s commitment to the Highlands is not surprising considering Mr Barnsley’s family has been firmly entrenched in the community, especially in Sutton Forest, since the 1860s.

His great-grandfather was a tradesman, his grandfather a butcher and grazier in Sutton Forest, and his parents owned the Sutton Forest village store.

His father was also the Sutton Forest postmaster.

Mr Barnsley was born in Bowral in 1950 and grew up at Sutton Forest.

He attended Bowral High School, where he met Nerida Taylor, also from a family with long, local ties.

The couple has now been married for 33 years with one son, James, who also attended Bowral High.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, June 25

jackie.meyers@ruralpress. com