Rachel Barber
1983 -1999
Official Memorial Website
Administered by Rachel's parents Michael and Elizabeth Barber
Here are a few of Rachel's favourite movies, and in no particular order. I know I have missed many, especially stage musicals. But when Rachel liked a video, and they were videos with Rachel, she played them so many times she could almost tell the story backwards. I also realise that a lot of these movie covers are DVD's, so forgive me for this.
I wonder about having favourites in this website because I really do believe I am making this into one of those Christmas letters most people hate receiving. You know the sort that makes you want to stick your finger in your mouth because try as you might you think back over your own year and it just doesn't seem to be full of the same successes. But Mike said it is hardly one of those, when Rachel is not here, and I think what a person likes can give you an indication of personality. And I would really like to share Rachel's personality with the world because if she had not have been murdered she would have definitely shared her personality to the world.
Into the Woods was a great hit in our household, almost as popular as Cinderella at Grandad Ivan's. Also I wasn't sure Rachel ever got to see Ever After - the Cinderella story, but Ashleigh-Rose thinks it was the last video they saw together.
I wonder about having favourites in this website because I really do believe I am making this into one of those Christmas letters most people hate receiving. You know the sort that makes you want to stick your finger in your mouth because try as you might you think back over your own year and it just doesn't seem to be full of the same successes. But Mike said it is hardly one of those, when Rachel is not here, and I think what a person likes can give you an indication of personality. And I would really like to share Rachel's personality with the world because if she had not have been murdered she would have definitely shared her personality to the world.
Into the Woods was a great hit in our household, almost as popular as Cinderella at Grandad Ivan's. Also I wasn't sure Rachel ever got to see Ever After - the Cinderella story, but Ashleigh-Rose thinks it was the last video they saw together.
Rachel went to numerous productions of the Australian Ballet. It wouldn't seem right to ignore some of these. Only problem I can only find DVD images, however they are of the 1990 performances - so forgive me. Here is a selection of these ballets. I took her to a few but mostly my mother Joy was the lucky grandparent to take her. Going to the ballet was an enormous treat for Rachel, particularly when she was primary school age - a great occasion to dress up.
Rachel had great pleasure when she was able to get to the backstage door and greet some of these artists with pen and programme in hand. She was also fortunate to see the Bolshoi ballet and was delighted she was also able to get some of their signatures.
I remember when Ashleigh-Rose wanted some of this special treatment so I took her to see Tap Dogs. She thought she was lucky because it was a special event for mum and her. Later I also wish I'd taken Rachel and Heather, as well, but these are decision parents make. At the time it was the right decision. Quality time, one on one with Ashleigh-Rose. (Tap was one dance form that Rachel didn't learn until that first year of her Diploma in Performance Arts, and then of course she had barely been there four weeks before she was murdered.)
'Into the Woods' soundtrack prologue : Stephen Sondheim
Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers : The Nutcracker
