Awards 2023

George Barker & Judie Rem 

Nominated by Garry Barker 

Seconded by Ms Laura Milno

Since arriving in Darwin with his family in the mid 60's, George Barker, has become a very familiar name and face in Darwin. Not only as an accomplished singer but also a musician. George very quickly settled into the 'Top End' music scene as a talented guitarist, bass player and vocalist. As the years passed, George had gathered other local musicians and collectively, they were entertaining at dances, clubs, parties and community functions, all over town.

George's popularity quickly grew with his unique style and delivery of the top hits of the day and the good old favorites that have themselves, endured the test of time.

A few short years later, George's sister Julie arrived and the band not only increased in size but in popularity. Julie's beautiful style and vocal presentation, found a unique place with her brother George and his colleagues in the Darwin entertainment scene

which ensured an enduring quality and popularity even to this very day, adoringly appreciated as George and Julie.

But the important aspect of this enduring talented combination, relates to the

involvement over 30 years where the voluntary contributions have left their mark.

In the early 70's, George and Julie became involved in the wonderful and superbly generous presentation of the "Fire-e's Christmas Party' which was staged every year just before Christmas, by the Darwin Fire Brigades' personnel. The wonderful Firemen and Women of the Top End, have delivered their fantastic annual gesture of a truly magnificent feast, beverages, gifts from Father Christmas and dancing to the fabulous music of George and Julie, for over 25 years.

In the early 1980's, George also became involved in the co-presentation of the brilliant performances by Darwin's Primary School Children annual presentation of 'The Beat'.

With his fellow musicians, Primary School Music and Dance instructors, they spent many months, planning, rehearsing and finally presenting the amazingly talented and

popular show, The Beat. This wonderful musical, continued to entertain mums and dads, grandparents, relatives and friends and thousands of locals, annually, for many years from the 1980's. As the shows grew and became more popular, these wonderful performances were presented in the Gardens Amphitheatre in order to accommodate the growing crowds of supporters who came to this terrific stage show.

George, being no stranger to the stage, also teamed with Mike Foley and guests, in presenting some delightful fund-raising concerts in the Entertainment Centre, raising and donating thousands of dollars supporting Community Seniors Organisations,.

There is no doubt that people of the ilk of George Barker, his sister Julie and his very talented son, Gary, are but a few of the many musicians, singers, dancers and others in Darwin who over the years, have contributed voluntarily in order to further the talents of young people and more importantly, to assist the needs of Senior Citizens, by presenting their wonderful talents, voluntarily.