John Brew


John Richard Brew AM RFD is an Australian public servant, engineer, educator and administrator.

Early life

John Brew was born the eldest son of Lieutenant-Commander Albert Brew RAN and Iris Brew. He was educated initially at Gosford High School and then from 1952 to 1954 North Sydney Boys High School. Brew was granted a cadetship in civil engineering in the Way and Works Branch of the Department of Railways in 1955 and began studying part time, graduating from the University of NSW, with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1963. While studying, Brew enlisted in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, was active from 1956 to 1962.

Career in public transport

After graduating, Brew held a variety of rural roles as was the norm at the time including District Engineer in Wollongong and then Divisional Engineer in Dubbo and later Parkes. From 1967 he managed the upgrading of the Broken Hill railway line to enable the use of Standard Gauge between Sydney & Perth. This was a landmark piece of national infrastructure opened by Prime Minister John Gorton, 29 November 1969. In the mid 70's as Manager Projects and Research, Brew was designing innovations such as a coal wagon double the size of that in use at the time, a heavier 60kg rail to support it, and an innovative approach to expanding the railway infrastructure at Bullock Island export coal terminal in Newcastle with the introduction of continuous loading balloon loops, which were then also adopted at mines in the Hunter Valley and Western coal fields.
In 1977 Brew was the Project Manager to put together the Royal Silver Jubilee Train, a touring museum that travelled through Australia to mark the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession. In the same year, he was Technical Adviser to the QC who represented the NSW Public Transport Commission at the enquiry into the Granville Railway disaster.
After 33 years in the railways, Brew was appointed as the managing director of the Urban Transit Authority of NSW, the agency responsible for operating government buses and ferries, serving from 1988-1992. His time was marked by structural reform and reform in financing achieving considerable success in commercial efficiency. He also introduced gas-powered buses, the first bus-only lanes in NSW, magnetic ticketing and the first RiverCat and JetCat ferries.
From a desire to improve professionalism and recognition Brew successfully advocated to have NSW join the International Association of Public Transport and to have the 50th World Congress held in Sydney in 1993. When the Asia-Pacific Branch was established, Brew was elected its first Chairman and served from 1990 to 1996. He was also elected Chairman of Australian chapter of the in 1994.
Appointed chief executive of the State Rail Authority of NSW, serving from 1992-1995, Brew initiated and carried through some of the landmark reform of industrial relations for which the Fahey Govt is renowned. During his term he sought to make the SRA a more commercially oriented organisation, initiating the building the Sydney Airport Rail Link, the Southern Railway and improving the profitability of the export coal business. On his appointment he was praised by the then Transport Minister for having initiated the design of the Tangara trains and for being instrumental in revitalising country rail travel by commissioning the first XPTs. Brew has been called the last "commissioner" of the railways..
In 1996, then Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Regional Development, the Hon. John Sharp appointed Brew to review and report on the financial performance of Australian National Railways Commission and its relationship with National Rail Corporation, and to make proposals for the strategic reform of both organisations.
Brew continues to make occasional contributions to public discussion on matters of public transport reform in NSW.

Career in education

Brew was appointed Board member from 1996 and then from 1999 Deputy Chairman of the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, serving until 2000.. He brought management experience and influenced the introduction of modern management practices, assisted the selection of CEO and CFO and assisted with fund raising and investment in land and buildings.
As Chairman of the Board of St Luke's Grammar School, Dee Why, 1996-2000, he introduced modern management processes including corporate planning and performance measurement and put in place the financial discipline to stem losses.
Brew was also a Member of Council of the Nowra Anglican College, 2001-2003.
Brew established the Wollondilly Anglican College at Tahmoor in 2003, became Chairman of its governing council, selected the first principal and then guided the school through significant growth in its first seven years, to 700 pupils.
As a tutor at the Western Sydney University School of Business from 2006 to 2008 Brew taught the subjects Management and Change.

Other community roles

In 2011, Brew was elected to the honorary position of President of the by the Baptist Assembly. He presided over a significant structural review of the federation of over 300 Baptist Churches and had oversight of the adoption and implementation of the recommendations of the review with particular emphasis on the pastoral care of people and pastors.
Brew has a lifetime history of active involvement in serving local Baptist congregations as a leader. He was elected Secretary of French’s Forest Baptist Church, 1976-1990 and later secretary of the Bowral Baptist Church, 2005-2011 and 2013-2014. In the latter role Brew was the driving force behind having a new church building designed, funded and built.
Brew also served on the Wingecarribee Shire Council Transport Committee from 2002 to 2008.

Personal life

In 1962 Brew married Sylvia Dart with whom he had five children. They remained married 55 years.
A keen sailor and yacht owner all his life, Brew ran a business with for a short time, teaching leadership and team skills to both corporate customers and to troubled kids, a business which was occasionally supported by Kay Cottee.
Brew is a talented maker of ship models and accomplished painter of oil paintings principally with a nautical theme. He has self-published a history of his family, and particularly their nautical connections with Stockton, NSW, the result of a life-long interest in family history.
In addition to a degree in Engineering, Brew also holds a Certificate 2 in Horticulture form and is currently studying for degree in theology from Flinders University Adelaide College of Divinity.

Honours and awards

In recognition of his significant service to the rail transport and logistics industry, and to education, John Brew was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, General Division, in the Queen's Birthday 2020 Honours List.
Member of the Order of Australia
Reserve Force Decoration
Australian Defence Medal