Barney Wakes-Miller 2 January 2003 to 18 July 2020

Hey Barney, I’ve been missing you heaps and I hope ur flying high up there. I remember all the good times when we were younger playing murder in the dark and running around your house. I’ll miss you a lot bro but I hope you're in a better place now. 
So much love,Tommy

Barney.  No words.  You were such a talent - your art, your music, your humour, your smarts.  You leave a huge hole.  You will never be forgotten.  Love you buddy  Jules 

Barney you will forever be in our hearts. It’s not fair that such a beautiful soul was taken so early. Thank you for making family gatherings so much more enjoyable with cards against humanity, showing me various animals and just being your hilarious, crazy self. They won’t be the same without you. I’ll miss you endlessly. Tessie

Dearest Barney, You’ve been taken too soon and have left a Barney-shaped hole in the world.  That hole is filled with all the wonderful memories I have of you growing up: the constant noise that accompanied everything you did; the constant searching for new adventures and excitement; and the constant cheeky smile and mischievous glint in your eyes.  I will miss you always Barney.  With love, Lenka

Article from The Manly Daily, 20 July 2020

Barney Wakes-Miller who died in Elanora Heights crash was a 'real treasure'

Northern beaches teenager Barney Wakes-Miller, who was tragically killed in a crash on the weekend, has been remembered as a 'creative and brilliant' young man and a promising artist.  

A teenager who died in a tragic road accident on the northern beaches on the weekend has been described as a "real treasure".  

Barney Wakes-Miller, 17, of Oxford Falls died when a car crashed into a sandstone fence at Elanora Heights at 11.20pm on Saturday.  

His family told the Manly Daily that their "adored son Barn" was a prolific artist whose works hang throughout their home.  

Barney a year 11 student at St Augustine's College at Brookvale, was a passenger in a Holden Commodore station wagon car with five friends when it left Caladenia Cl and hit the fence made of sandstone and wrought iron.  

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.  The car was driven by a 17-year-old male.  

St Augustine's said four other male teenagers in the car were also students at the all boys school.  

There was also a 16-year-old girl in the car.  

Barney's father, Duncan Wakes-Miller, said the family has been left devastated by the loss of "our adored son, brother, boyfriend, nephew, grandson and friend".  

He said Barney's death was having a huge impact on a lot of people.  

"Since the accident we have had a lot of people who loved Barn through our house.  

"He was a real treasure".  

In a written statement the family said: "Barney was one of a kind, a firework who exploded into the world on January 2, 2003, lighting up our lives with his take-no-prisoners attitude to life.  

"Barn gave everything he did 110 per cent from his artistic brilliance, that was a constant thread through his life, to his love of his brothers Arthur and Tenzin and his little sister Iona.  

"Barn was our rainbow, a complex mix of light and shade, and we will look for him in the sky when the rain falls and the sun shines.  

"At night, he is the brightest star in the sky.  He will always be with us.  We love him, and he is part of all that is good, creative and brilliant."  

When emergency crews were called to the scene where they found Barney with critical head injuries, despite the efforts of residents who gave first aid, and paramedics, he could not be saved.  

"Everyone in this incidence, the people in the vehicle and their families, are all quite traumatised by this," Northern Beaches Police Commander Pat Sharkey told reporters on Sunday.  

"All six occupants in the vehicle are northern beaches locals."  

Family friend Kate Duthie said they had been left "devastated" by his death.  

"Barney was the second eldest of four, he had an older brother, younger brother and younger sister, who are all devastated by what's happened," she said.  

"He was a brilliant illustrator with a wonderfully creative brain.  

"He won the art prize at his school for four years consecutively.  

"The family home is filled with his drawings, friends would commission him to draw illustrations for them.  

"As a young lad the family went trekking up Cradle Mountain and there he was with an enormous backpack walking up the mountain.  As a family they would run triathlons together.  

"This is a very sad time for the family."

On Sunday a group of boys arrived at the scene to place flowers.  

"Rest easy Barney, gone way too soon," the accompanying card reads.  

"So many fond memories with you.  Love you always."

St Augustine's principal Jonathan Byrne sent an email message on Monday afternoon to the parent's of students to let them know of Barney's death.  

Mr Byrne wrote that the school community has been "saddened to hear news of the death of one of our Year 11 students"

The student was treated by paramedics at a car accident on Saturday evening, before he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene.  Four other young men from the College and one young woman from a local school were also involved in the accident.  

"This is very distressing for all of us, but especially for the student's family, his extended family, his friends, his teachers and his Tutor Group.  

"We grieve with his family and we offer our support and prayers at this most difficult time.  

"The death of a young person is a tragic loss, which in one way or another affects each of us.  

Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who were in the car and are experiencing trauma," Mr Byrne wrote.