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Meals on Wheels Lower Burdekin marked National Meals on Wheels Day with a celebration at its kitchen on MacMillan Street, Ayr. Photo: Jacob Casha.
Meals on Wheels volunteers across the country were recognised last Wednesday for the resilience they showed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that followed.
For the Lower Burdekin Committee, that meant a small gathering at its MacMillan Street kitchen in Ayr, where volunteers were joined by Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort in marking the occasion with a cake-cutting ceremony.
Saint Andrews Meals on Wheels Lower Burdekin has serviced the Burdekin region for more than 50 years, preparing and delivering nutritious meals to people requiring assistance at home.
As well as the Burdekin, Meals on Wheels operations across the country took a hit when COVID diagnoses came to light five years ago, with many volunteers aged 70 and over recommended to self-isolate, while younger volunteers stood up.
Now, Meals on Wheels Australia President, Sharyn Broer has thanked the 76,000 people who continue to volunteer for the organisation, ensuring older Australians remain nourished and safe at home, not only during a pandemic, but every day.
“We are so thankful for our volunteers,” Mrs Broer said.
“Regardless of the emergency—devastating bushfires, or in a pandemic, our volunteers continue to roll up their sleeves and deliver life-changing support.”
While Mrs Broer particularly commended the MOW Lower Burdekin Committee for their “immense resilience through the pandemic,” she said the ongoing sustainability of the service remains its biggest battle.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Senator Richard Colbeck acknowledged the inequitable distribution of funding and advised Meals on Wheels Australia of an upcoming funding review for meal service providers within the next 12 months.
“We are pleased the Government has recognised the problem,” Mrs Broer said.
“However, our concerns remain about the timing of the review and the impact this will have on services that are already struggling to remain financially viable.”
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