Orange City Council is recognising the generous bequest of the late Joan Barry, which funded the purchase of a new vehicle for the Choices at Home Meals on Wheels service.
Joan the van outside the Choices at Home cottage on March Street.
In short: Orange City Council has unveiled a new Meals on Wheels vehicle named 'Joan' to honour the late Joan Barry, whose bequest funded its purchase.
The vehicle recognises Ms Barry's lasting legacy, with approval from her estate and Meals on Wheels NSW to publicly acknowledge the gift.
Joan Barry was a pioneering Chief Librarian who modernised Orange City Library and championed public libraries across NSW.
Miss Joan Barry. Taken in 1985-86 in the new library.
The new vehicle, named 'Joan' in her honour, joins Council's fleet to help deliver vital support to older residents across the community.
Council has received approval from Joan Barry's estate and Meals on Wheels NSW to publicly acknowledge the gift. Her name also appears on the vehicle.
Council's Community Services Chair, Cr Marea Ruddy thanked Ms Barry and her family for this enduring legacy.
"We are deeply grateful for this meaningful contribution," Cr Ruddy said.
"This gift has a lasting impact. It helps our Meals on Wheels service support people to live independently at home with dignity and connection."
A spokesperson for Joan's estate reflected Joan would be glad to know that part of her estate is going toward such a worthy community service.
Miss Joan Barry. Taken in November 2016 at the Orange City Library Birthday Celebrations
Ms Barry played a pivotal role in the development of library services in the Central West. She joined Central West Libraries in 1956, becoming Chief Librarian in 1969, and lead the library until her retirement in 1993.
She oversaw the design and construction of the Orange City Library in Byng Street, which opened in 1985, and championed library funding and innovation across New South Wales.
Known for her quiet dedication, Ms Barry often said libraries were "about people rather than books."
That same spirit lives on-now in the form of a Meals on Wheels vehicle that continues to serve the Orange community.
