A Stripe for Byron as Bonney Energy Backs Barry the Brave for a Second Year
Bonney Energy is proud to support Barry the Brave for a second year, with this year’s partnership carrying a particularly special meaning for the Bonney family.
Barry is a Tasmanian icon, instantly recognisable as a pink van covered in purple Tasmanian-tiger stripes, with each stripe dedicated to someone who is battling cancer or who has lost their life to the disease.
This year, one of Barry’s stripes will be dedicated to Byron Lloyd Bonney.
Byron was the husband of Judy, brother of Lesley Bennett and the late John Bonney, father of Philip and Gina, and grandfather of Brodie. For more than five decades, he dedicated his life to building what became the Bonney Group, a business deeply connected to the growth of Tasmania.
Building on the foundations laid by his father, Lloyd Bonney, in 1948, Byron grew the business from transport and logistics into a diverse group spanning fuel distribution, construction, mining and forestry, at its peak and to this day, employing hundreds of people.
He was known for his determination, resilience and extraordinary work ethic, as well as his belief in leading by example. Away from business, he loved spending time on the water aboard his motor yacht and was a passionate St Kilda supporter, a love he shared with Philip.
In late 2011, Byron was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer. He passed away following an 18-month battle, leaving behind a lasting legacy through his family, the business he built and the many people whose lives he influenced.
Following Byron’s passing, the family gradually transitioned its focus to what is now Bonney Energy. While the business has evolved, the values he lived by, including hard work, integrity and leading by example, remain at the heart of the company today.
For Philip, some of the strongest memories are the ordinary ones. From a very young age, he travelled alongside his father to depots, service stations and operations across Tasmania, learning the business beside him and seeing firsthand the importance Byron placed on hard work, relationships and leading by example.
“Those long drives together were the greatest education I could have received, shaping how I think about business today.”
Having Byron represented on Barry this year makes Bonney Energy’s support of the cause especially personal.
Each stripe on Barry tells a story, representing a person, a family and a community affected by cancer. Together, they are a powerful reminder of how many people are touched by the disease and how important it is to support one another.
We are proud to be backing Barry the Brave again this year and even prouder to see Byron’s story carried with him.
A fitting message to accompany his stripe is one that reflects the way Byron lived:
“Work hard. Lead by example. Keep your word and always leave things better than you found them.”