Vern Barberis

{{Short description|Australian weightlifter (1928–2005)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| headercolor =

| name = Vern Barberis

| image = Vern Barberis c1950.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Barberis c. 1950

| birth_name = Verdi Barberis

| fullname =

| nickname =

| nationality = Australian

| residence =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1928|06|27|df=yes}}

| birth_place =

| death_date = {{death date and age|2005|01|06|1928|06|27|df=yes}}

| death_place = Albury, New South Wales, Australia

| height =

| weight =

| website =

| country = Australia

| sport = Weightlifting

| event =

| collegeteam =

| club =

| team =

| turnedpro =

| coach =

| retired =

| coaching =

| worlds =

| regionals =

| nationals =

| olympics =

| paralympics =

| highestranking =

| pb =

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{flagicon|AUS}} Australia}}

{{MedalCompetition | Olympic Games}}

{{MedalBronze|1952 Helsinki|Lightweight}}

{{MedalCompetition | Commonwealth Games}}

{{MedalBronze|1950 Auckland|Lightweight}}

{{MedalGold|1954 Vancouver|Lightweight}}

| show-medals = yes

}}

Verdi "Vern" Barberis (27 June 1928 – 6 January 2005) was an Australian lightweight weightlifter.

Barberis grew up in Melbourne and attended the University of Melbourne and studied science.{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=http://www.awf.com.au/history/HallOfFame.aspx |publisher=Australian Weightlifting Federation |access-date=6 January 2012}}{{Cite web |url=https://commonwealthgames.com.au/australian-weightlifting-pioneer-vern-barberis/ |title=Australian Weightlifting Pioneer: Vern Barberis |publisher=Commonwealth Games Australia}} He won a bronze medal at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand, lifting a total of {{convert|730|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. This was the first time that weightlifting had been contested at the Games. He won another bronze medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics, becoming the first Australian to win a weightlifting medal at the Olympics. Later at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games he became the first Australian to win a weightlifting gold medal at a major international competition. The seven-time national champion rounded out his career at the 1956 Summer Olympics in his home city of Melbourne, where he finished 11th.{{cite Sports-Reference |title=Vern Barberis |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ba/vern-barberis-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418074348/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ba/vern-barberis-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2020 |access-date=15 January 2012}}

Barberis was the first Australian lightweight to clean and jerk over {{convert|300|lb|kg|abbr=on}} 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. He was later inducted into the AWF Hall of Fame, and on 30 August 2000 awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his weightlifting achievements.{{cite web |title=Vern Barberis |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/982159 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=6 January 2012}}