General News
1 September, 2022
Celebrating our Meals on Wheels volunteers
Julie Colbert is one of 10 local Meals on Wheels volunteers who were under the spotlight as part of National Meals on Wheels Day on Wednesday, recognising the important role they play in the community. Julie joined the Central Goldfields Shire...
Julie Colbert is one of 10 local Meals on Wheels volunteers who were under the spotlight as part of National Meals on Wheels Day on Wednesday, recognising the important role they play in the community.
Julie joined the Central Goldfields Shire Council’s Meals on Wheels program as a way to feel connected and give back to the community and three years on, said delivering meals is one of the most enjoyable parts of her week.
“I first got involved because I wanted to do something that gave me contact with people, I like to interact and the people you’re delivering meals to are absolutely gorgeous,” she said.
“You get a lot back from volunteering, some of the people you take meals to may not have family and might not really see anybody so you’re supporting them with more than just a meal.
“It’s just nice — it gives you a sense of community and makes you feel like you’re a part of it, I look forward to it every time.”
Julie, along with nine other Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver around 160 meals each week to residents in the shire.
After a challenging couple of years through the pandemic, Julie said it was important to be back delivering meals and interacting with residents.
“I think COVID took a lot of people’s confidence away and they became very sheltered — a lot of the people we’re delivering meals to really lost human contact,” she said.
“You do become quite close with some of the people you’re delivering meals to, I’ve found that when they’re no longer on my run I wonder what’s happened and if they’re okay.
“They’re people you check in with very often and you do strike up a friendship with them which is lovely.”
National Meals on Wheels Day provides an opportunity to recognise the dedication, commitment and resilience of the more than 40,000 Meals on Wheels volunteers across more than 590 service locations Australia-wide.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Chris Meddows-Taylor thanked Meals on Wheels volunteers for the crucial role they play in supporting the community.
“We all know the importance of good nutrition for elderly people which is a key service,” he said.
“The other aspect of Meals on Wheels is that for people who might spend most of their time at home or have limited mobility, volunteers bring not only food but a connection to the community.
“The role of our Meals on Wheels volunteers couldn’t be more important.”