The acquisition of Joan was a direct result of a significant gift from the late Joan Barry, a former Chief Librarian whose public service legacy continues to nourish the community she cared for so deeply. Since her passing, Joan Barry's impact on Orange and its residents has continued to resonate. Her funding of this bus, a purchase approved by her estate and Meals on Wheels NSW, directly supports the vital work of delivering meals to older residents in the Orange region. The bus proudly bears her name, a permanent acknowledgment of her profound contribution.

This meaningful contribution by Joan Barry will have a lasting impact, significantly enhancing the local Meals on Wheels service and helping more people live independently at home with dignity and connection. A spokesperson for Joan's estate confirmed Joan would be incredibly pleased to know a portion of her estate has supported such a critical community service in the area she held dear.

From modernising the Orange City Library to now ensuring warm meals reach those in need via this wonderful new bus, Joan Barry's quiet dedication to people is continuing to benefit the Orange community in a truly remarkable way. What a beautiful story of legacy and community spirit!

Inspired by Joan's generosity? Safewill, a partner organisation of Meals on Wheels NSW, will be offering a free Will writing period in September. This is an excellent opportunity to create a bespoke Will online, completely free of charge. Should you wish to leave a bequest and continue your legacy through Meals on Wheels or another charity organisation, Safewill offers this option too. We will send out an email with more information on this in the coming months.

You can also read more on leaving a bequest by visiting our bequest page.