Craig Barnett
Encyclopedia
Craig Andrew "Barney" Barnett (born 16 July 1974) is an Australian male model and ex international modelling pageant finalist, best known as 'MR Australia 2007' from the 2007 Manhunt International
Manhunt International
Manhunt International is an international male beauty pageant which began in 1993, though the roots of the pageant go back a few years more to when one single national preliminary was held in Singapore...
World Final. He was the national title holder of Manhunt Australia during 2007 and was also the face of Australian swimwear label Funky Trunks
Funky Trunks
Funky Trunks is an Australian brand of swimwear and accessories for men, boys and toddler boys manufactured and marketed by Way Funky Company Pty Limited. The business was founded by Duncan McLean in 2002. Other lines by the company include Funkita for girls and KI Argo...
from 2004 to 2010.
Barnett, commonly known by his nickname Barney, is also recognised for his television appearances on Australian television, Network Nine’s 1 vs. 100
1 vs. 100
1 vs. 100 is a game show created by Endemol that is aired in several countries. The game pits one person against 100 others for a chance to win a large cash prize. The game first aired in the Netherlands as Eén tegen 100, sponsored by the Nationale Postcode Loterij .- General format :In all...
in 2007 and Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
’s eighth and final series of Australia’s Big Brother reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show in 2008. The same year, Barnett was named as one of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
’s most eligible bachelors when selected as a finalist in Cleo Bachelor of the Year and featured in the March 2008 edition of Cleo Magazine.
Early life and family
Craig Barnett was born in East Fremantle, Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and was raised in the suburb of Kardinya. He has two older sisters Debbie and Amanda to parents Hugh and Avril Barnett. He led a very active childhood, revolving much around sport.
Barnett attended Kardinya Primary school and later went on to Melville Senior High School, in Western Australia. He excelled in athletics as a junior, equalling an Australian age record for the U/13 80m hurdles. He picked up an amateur skateboarding sponsorship between the ages of 14 and 16 and also became involved in competitive swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
the age of 16.
He graduated from high school in 1991 and was awarded an outstanding sporting achievement award, recognising his sporting contribution, which included winning the athletics champion boy and swimming champion boy in his final year, only eight months after taking up competitive swimming.
Barnett went on to swim competitively at a national level for over thirteen years, which included three Australian Olympic Swimming Selection Trials. He was club captain of the City of Perth swimming Club during the 2003/2004 season and retired from national level swimming shortly after in 2005. After many years out of the water, he returned to the pool on a social level. He is currently the Victorian state title holder for 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle in the 35-39 year age division for the Masters Swimming Association, and is the current state short course record holder for the 50m Butterfly in the same age category.
Manhunt Australia
Barnett was the winner of the national male modelling competition Manhunt Australia in November 2006 which earned him the title of MR Australia throughout 2007. Contestants were judged on physique, photographic (photogenic qualities and the ability to work with photographers), interviewing and public speaking skills and catwalk modelling ability. He later featured on the front cover of the Men of Manhunt calendar in 2008.Manhunt International
In February 2007, he represented AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in the largest contested and most prestigious international male modelling competition in the world at the time, the Manhunt International 2007
Manhunt International 2007
The 2007 Manhunt International World Final was held at the new Kangwonland International Convention Centre, Korea on Saturday 10 February 2007 with the participation of 48 countries...
World Final, held at Kangwon Land Resort, in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, where he competed against a record 48 contestants from as many countries. There he finished 3rd Runner-Up and came away with cash and prizes including a modelling contract in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Barnett is one of only three Australians ever to finish in the top five since the Manhunt International competition began in 1993.
Modelling career
Barnett's introduction to the modelling world began in 2004, when he was competing at the Australian Swimming OlympicOlympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
Selection Trials for the Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, 2004 Olympic Games. He was approached by rising Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
based swimwear company Way Funky to model their mens label, Funky Trunks
Funky Trunks
Funky Trunks is an Australian brand of swimwear and accessories for men, boys and toddler boys manufactured and marketed by Way Funky Company Pty Limited. The business was founded by Duncan McLean in 2002. Other lines by the company include Funkita for girls and KI Argo...
, and was the face of the label from 2004 to 2010. This led to other modelling offers and inspired an invitation to compete in the 2006 Manhunt Australia competition in which he won the national title the same year.
Since 2004, Barnett has featured in many Funky Trunks advertising campaigns, as well as other well established fashion labels and product advertising. In recent times, he has featured as the face of Zu Shoes 'Presidential Collection' campaign, released in December 2010,, Tourism Victoria's Yarra Valley campaign in April 2011 and Bosch Automotive campaign in September 2011..
Judging
Due to his involvement and success on a national and international level in modelling pageants, Barnett has been invited to guest judge a number of Australian national beauty and modelling contests including Best Model Australia 2007, Manhunt Australia 2007 and Miss Hawaiian Tropic 2009 national finals.1 vs. 100
Barnett was a contestant on the Network Nine television game show 1 vs. 1001 vs. 100
1 vs. 100 is a game show created by Endemol that is aired in several countries. The game pits one person against 100 others for a chance to win a large cash prize. The game first aired in the Netherlands as Eén tegen 100, sponsored by the Nationale Postcode Loterij .- General format :In all...
, hosted by Eddie McGuire
Eddie McGuire
Edward Joseph "Eddie" McGuire AM is an Australian television presenter and businessman known for his long association with Australian rules football and the Channel 9 television network....
, which aired on 9 July 2007. He was the ‘1’ against the ‘Mob’ of 100 challengers. He was the sixth highest money winner in the history of the 1 vs. 100 (Australian game show)
1 vs. 100 (Australian game show)
1 vs. 100 was an Australian spin-off game show based on the American version of the same name and the original Dutch version created by Endemol. The game pits one person against 100 others for a chance to win one million dollars...
and walked away with $108,500.00.
Big Brother 08
Barnett appeared in the Australian series of the Network TenNetwork Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
reality television show Big Brother Australia 2008
Big Brother Australia 2008
Big Brother Australia 2008 was the eighth season of the Australian reality television series, Big Brother Australia to air on Network Ten. Episodes were broadcast on Network Ten and Ten HD in Australia. The first episode aired on 28 April 2008. Since then, there has been a total 20 housemates...
. He entered the Big Brother house, which was located inside the Dreamworld
Dreamworld
Dreamworld is a large theme park situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is currently Australia's largest theme park with over 27 rides including 4 roller coasters. The park is made up of several themed lands: Ocean Parade, Kid's World, Wiggles World, Gold Rush Country, Rocky Hollow, Tiger...
amusement park in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, on Sunday 4 May 2008 under his nickname Barney.
Television Commercials
Barnett has also made appearances in Australian television commercials, the most recent being the VolvoVolvo
AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
"Attention Seeker" TVC, which is televised to a global audience until 2012.
Music Videos
In December 2010, Barnett featured in the music video "That Season Again" performed Australian country music singer, Rose Carleo, directed by Twinpeak Image. 'That Season Again' peaked on the Country Tracks Top 30 national radio chart at #3.Barnett most recently co-starred in the 2011 music video, "Say It's Over" performed by Australian pop singer song writer, Tania Moran, released in April 2011 by Dusk Music Video Production.
Radio
Prior to and during the 2004 AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
Olympic Games, Barnett was a guest speaker on Fremantle FM Radio station as a swimming expert, due to his vast knowledge of the sport and his inside information on many of the Australian Swimming Team members.
Other
Barnett spent much of his adult life working in the field of cargo shipping and still remains involved. He currently resides in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia. He is also a member of the North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
.