Background
Barberis grew up in Melbourne and attended the University of Melbourne.
Barberis grew up in Melbourne and attended the University of Melbourne.
This was the first time that weightlifting had been contested at the Games. Barberis was the first Australian lightweight to clean and jerk over 300 lb (140 kg) which at the time exceeded the Victorian heavyweight record. His Australian records stood for many years and his Victorian snatch record lasted twenty years.
Barberis was a highly respected teacher and trainer.
Between 1969 and 1971, he served as President of the Australian Weightlifting Federation.