Both his father and brother were Labour Party members and local government politicians, influencing his own political philosophy.
[1] He was involved in the local school committee, the Lower Hutt Boy Scouts and Petone Rugby Club.
A court case ensued which was won by the council and led to the end of the extraction practice by gravel companies.
[1] On the city council he was a member of the works, town planning and bylaws, traffic and health committees.
[1] He was particularly proud of his work in town planning to establish the Rata Street Loop walking track at the edge of Naenae.
[2] At the 1975 Labour Party conference Barry, a delegate of the Epuni-Waihete branch, spoke during a particularly contentious debate on abortion.
[2] Fellow councillor John Terris, the only successful Labour candidate in 1980, said Barry was a "kindly soul" but not afraid of confrontation.
[8] Barry was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1986 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to local government.