Claudia Barker
Ms CRUGNALE (Bass) (10:08): Claudia Barker, a public school teacher and proud of it, music director, drum major conductor, no instrument unplayable—it was an absolute honour to attend her retirement celebration. The speeches had us in tears and fits of laughter and the solo and band performances in awe. Her passion to bring music to the world of our Koo Wee Rup Secondary students is revered. It was the 1960s—her studies unfinished, her husband, Ken, already on the books, teacher shortages, classes were 50 full—when the team met a humble-in-manner, classy-in-stature, sonorous force to be reckoned with. Thirty-six musicals and 50 festivals later, she has left an indisputable legacy. The 1980s saw the senior school band debut and the college band marching ahead of the 39th Battalion in the Anzac Day parade. Since then they have played at Westminster, Paris and on the Western Front. Lessons she made free and accessible to all. She instigated the school joining the LGBT alliance and grew the music department to a now magnificent 10. The performing arts centre honours her by name. An Italian father and Portuguese mother, the war sent them from Singapore to Australia’s Tatura internment camp. Amongst the 20 000 enemy aliens, they got organised, their children received an education and as artists they created masterpieces. Her love for music was instilled here. She is deserving of every recognition thus received: an OAM, ABODA life membership, Koo Wee Rup and district Australia Day Citizen of the Year and a Victorian education service award. On behalf of all the teachers, principals, students and their families, thank you, Claudia.