Former VFL goal umpire, Kevin Barker, aged 81 passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday evening.
Kevin grew up in Melbourne and Ballarat. He began umpiring with the Ascot Vale Presbyterian’s on the boundary before commencing with the VFL Reserve Grade in 1960. He was one of a few who umpired in all three disciplines (boundary 1960-1963, field 1964-65 and goal 1966-1969) in that competition between 1960 until his promotion to the senior panel as a goal umpire in 1970.
Kevin umpired 217 games including 11 finals and 5 grand finals (1976,1977, 1977 (R), 1978 and 1980). Kevin retired in 1981 and worked as a VFL goal umpires’ observer in 1982-83. He then had a stint with the VAFA in the late 80’s where he worked as the goal umpires’ advisor for 6 years.
Kevin became a VFLUA life member in 1980. He was inducted into the AFLUA Hall of Fame in 2008 and was made a Grand Final Legend in 2009.
Kevin also umpired VCA cricket.