Frederick Walter Barwick 1874-1944
1874 born in Victoria.
1895 appointed Telegraph operator Geraldton
1900 joined the WA postal service – twenty year association with Geraldton.
Postmaster of various towns around WA for forty years.
1907 Honorary Secretary Goldfields Fresh Air League
1909 became Postmaster at Leonora.
1909 Became a Justice of the peace. Moved to Geraldton.
1909 Respected by the community.
missed by the musical and masonic circles in Leonora.
1912 Became Anglican organist and choir master in Geraldton
1912 Won an art prize at Mullewa Catholic art union
1914 promoted to postmaster in Geraldton
1914 he married a nurse Ms M Lamb from Coolgardie
1915 aboard same train as volunteers joining the troops heading to Dardanelles. Applied to enlist but declined because of his protected occupation and age forty.
1917 Employed Aboriginal boundary riders
1918 to 1920 redeployed south
1919 published Waxflower Waltz (artwork features Crowea: Australian Wildflower)
The music was published and printed in Perth and bears his signature.
1920 involved with the Geraldton City Band.
1921 Won a prize at Perenjori show for breeding turkeys.
1923 proved his worth cutting scrub and felling trees so cars could pass washed out creek crossing in heavy rain
1924 he toured Wyndham by steamer on postal business.
1925 Travel to Cue on Postal Business
1925 Giving evidence to the liquor licensing board, said he had slept at Galena overnight, in a humpy, and thought a hotel was a good idea.
1928 opened a mail route through Binnu
1929 he took the passenger train from Geraldton to Perth
1929 holiday in Ravenswood (Pinjarra)
1933 he transfer to Bussleton Post office.
1934 Strong association with Geraldton City Band – so well regarded, he was paraded onto the departing boat by the Band.
1936 retired to Bunbury
1944 Died. Copyright on the the music has now expired.
Critical reception
Western Australian Newspaper Friday 13th June 1919 page 6. New Music – We have received a copy of a waltz for piano, entitled “‘Waxflower” [Crowea being the generic term for Waxflowers] composed by Mr. F. W. Barwick, of Perth. The composition is published by Messrs, Nicholson’s, Ltd., who state that “the composer has not hitherto ventured into the glare of publication. At the same time, he and his compositions are widely known in all parts of Western Australia, from Eucla to Wyndham. Of his repertoire of original marches, waltzes, and other music, “Waxflower” has been selected, because it caught the popular ear of those who have had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Barwick play it. Other selections will in all probability follow, each with its own peculiar merit and they will demonstrate the composer’s flexibility, ranging from the lyrical to the dramatic in character. Mr. Barwick’s piece comprises an introduction, three themes. and a coda…We note that orchestral parts are in preparation. The piece is printed in this State, and the production is of a tastefulness and excellence that merit much commendation.