THE generosity of two brothers has left a lasting legacy on the Upper Hunter.
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Among the late Sydney and Percy Barwick’s various donations to local groups was a six-figure contribution to Scone Ambulance Station.
It allowed a multi-purpose facility to be built at the station, which was officially opened over the weekend.
The room will be primarily used for operational paramedics to facilitate training, but is also expected to enable ambulance management to host in-house meetings and provide a facility for other local emergency services.
Dozens of members from the extended Barwick family gathered at the opening, along with NSW Ambulance personnel and representatives of the local community.
NSW Ambulance Executive Director of Clinical Services Allan Loudfoot said Scone would be forever indebted the brothers’ generosity.
“We were greatly honoured by the presence of so many members of the extended Barwick family at [the] ceremony,” he said.
“This new multi-purpose facility comes as a welcome addition to our presence in the local community and will see paramedics serving here now and well into the future directly benefit.”
Mr Loudfoot also unveiled a plaque on the facility to serve as a lasting legacy of the donation, while a replica was presented as a gesture of appreciation.
It will now be stored at the Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society, where many pieces of Barwick history already exist.
Family relative Lea Harris, who accepted the replica, said they were always happy to assist the community.
Apart from the ambulance station, significant donations were also made to Scott Memorial Hospital, Strathearn Village, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, TransCare, and Salvation Army.
“We feel privileged to be part of the Barwick family and related to Sydney and Percy,” she said.
“Everybody is really keen to donate to charity, and it’s pleasing that some of the money went to the ambulance station because they do such a fantastic job.”
Sydney and Percy had a long association with the Scone district, and were described as hard-working, honest, and devoted to both their family and the community.
The duo were highly-intelligent agricultural men who had a dairy farm, bred sheep and grew vegetables for the army during the war.
The passing of Percy in 2005 at the age of 91 saw his brother left with their estate. Sydney died nearly five years later aged 94, and funds from the property were then distributed throughout the community.
