Barbara Barnes is Edna Walling's niece and daughter of Walling's only sister, Doris Oak-Rhind. Barbara Barnes lives at 'Canning Downs', a Queensland homestead built in 1840.

Barnes spent many weekends with her Aunt at Bickleigh Vale. They shared a close and loving relationship.

"I can't really remember whether it was a weekend every month or something like that and I'd go up by train to Mooroolbark. I was surprised that my mother allowed me to go but I'm awfully glad she did because it was a wonderful experience. You learnt to pick violets for hours and hours on end and you learnt how to weed, and you learnt how to paint, you learnt how to live with animals. Her pets she was devoted to as though they were her children."

Barnes was married to [Hon.] Charles Edward Barnes, former Minister for External Territories, now deceased.

Barbara Barnes has donated her Aunt's extensive collection to the State Library of Victoria.