Nan Barb drives thousands of kilometers to aid outback communities
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Barbara Carroll, an 84-year-old op-shop owner from Donnybrook, Western Australia, travels over 2,000 kilometers each month to deliver donated clothes to remote communities in the Pilbara region.
Carroll, known as “Nan Barb”, began her “Nan Goes North” campaign after noticing an excess of clothing donations at her shop. She distributes these clothes to charities and women’s refuges in towns like Carnarvon, Newman, and Roebourne, recognizing that residents in these isolated areas have limited access to affordable clothing.
Carroll’s connection to the Pilbara runs deep, as she grew up in the remote community of Nullagine and maintains close ties with her tribal family there. Her granddaughter, Tara Carroll, a Wiradjuri woman, often joins the trips and emphasizes the disadvantage faced by people living in remote areas who lack access to essential items.
Community members such as Shahenaz Kouzi of the Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service describe Nan Barb as an “angel” and highlight the tremendous impact of her regular donations of clothing for all ages. Locals and volunteers alike praise her dedication and good humor, and her family is now fundraising to purchase a truck that will allow her to expand her outreach and travel with a companion.
