The donation was made by the Yass Aged Care Foundation, trustees managing the $4 million bequest of the late Ronald Clarke, on January 22.

Yass Valley Aged Care chief executive officer Christine Grafitti said she was extremely grateful for the donation and that it would be put to use upgrading some of the older equipment.

“Primarily this donation will be used to upgrade air conditioning units to improve resident comfort, and to expand our staff training program,” she said.

Trustee Alfred McCarthy said Mr Clarke’s bequest, with its significant portfolio of public company shares, had provided a total of $385,000 to aged care facilities (primarily Horton House and Warmington Lodge) since his death on August 19, 2008.

He said Mr Clarke, a sheep classer, and his parents Don and Amy Clarke were generous donors to the public appeal which helped pay for the construction of Horton House back in 1992. Mrs Clarke had later been a resident for several years.

The family had always supported aged care in the region.

Ms Grafitti said further proposals would be discussed at a strategic planning session next month, including the feasibility of solar power and the creation of a mobile dental service.

The expansion of aged care services within the community, including the development of Corona Grove, a property adjacent to YVAC, would also be discussed.