Frederick Barber is closely involved with the Australian Inland Mission and is selected as the first Aboriginal helper to trial as a missionary. His first post is Burnt Bridge Mission on the Macleay river. He also serves at Woolbrook, Long Gully, Tingha in 1934. While living in Armidale in 1930s he plays with and coaches the all-Aboriginal cricket team there. He is an accomplished singer and sings solo at the annual Australian Aborigines Conference in 1909. He is an excellent violin player. His sister Chrissy also plays the violin, having received lessons at Sackville Reach in their childhood.