A NEW memorial bench recognising a Riverlander who dedicated herself to the local community was installed outside of the Barmera Public Library recently.
The bench honours the life of Diane Tillett, who was Barmera’s head librarian from the library’s opening in 1961 until her retirement in 2002.
Ms Tillett, who passed away in April 2018, was also an active member in several community organisations, including the Barmera Red Cross, Barmera Uniting Church and Riverland Musical Society, and was named the Berri Barmera Citizen of the Year in 2014.
Ms Tillett’s cousin and fellow Red Cross volunteer Judy Bannear said it was “amazing” for Ms Tillett to be remembered outside of the library she worked at for over four decades.
“Barmera has been her life,” Mrs Bannear said.
“She was involved with everything and did so much voluntary work – she was one of those people who applied herself to so many charities and organisations.
“Everyone in Barmera basically knew her, and because she has worked in the library, she was able to see all the children come in and grow and see them right through as they were getting older.”
Mrs Bannear said it had taken a bit of time to organise with the Berri Barmera Council to have the bench installed.
“We (the Barmera Red Cross) started to think about what we could do a few months afterwards,” she said.
“Di was big part of the Red Cross and we didn’t know what we could do – there were a few different ideas that came up.
“When we decided on a seat, I thought it was permanent, out the front of the library and it was all about Di.
“Eventually, the council decided they would agree to it as well and the hand slowly turned and it was finally put in a few weeks ago.
“She would be so delighted to have it there.”