Barry Thompson

Barry Adam Thompson was born in Cowra on the 22nd June 1951. He began working as an apprentice mechanic at age 15 and three years later saw the start of his transport career when he joined the family business HW & MJ Thompson carting livestock in an International tabletop. In the late 194Os, Barry's parents Jack and Marie had a 1926 Whippet carting wood and livestock to Sydney and waste from the Cowra POW camp to pig farms.

When Barry started driving, livestock were mainly taken to Forbes, Warren, Aberdeen, Sydney, Cootamundra, Wagga and Goulburn. 1970 saw the opening of the Cowra Abattoirs and the cartage of livestock growing. Western Star, International, Atkinson and Kenworth trucks pulled two and three decks of sheep, cattle and pigs across the district.

Barry took over the business with his brother and sister in 1985 when his mother Marie passed away. A shed and office were built on Grenfell Road where Barry managed a fleet of 10 three decks, two by two decks and two tabletops and by 1987 had 10 four deckers.

In 1995 after Barry's father died, he and brother John took over the business and became J & B Thompson Pty Ltd. As well as livestock, grapes were carted to Mildura, Mudgee, Griffith and the Hunter Valley. Western Stars pulled Byrne & Shanks B-double trailers and by the end of the 1990s the trucks were replaced with Kenworths. Tippers were purchased in 1999 and took Grain to Sydney and returned with fertilizer.

In 2004 J & B Thompson purchased Cowra Bus Service consisting of 12 bus runs and in 2010 Barry purchased John's share of the trucks and buses and continued as Thompsons Livestock. Now days Barry and wife Shelley, along with their son Nick run 20 permanent trucks carting livestock, grain, fertilizer and grapes Australia wide. 18 Buses cover 17 bus runs, town runs, excursions, bus hire and five star coach travel interstate.

In 2013 Barry received an award for Business Leader of the year. His 50 year contribution to the transport industry is a credit to him.