ONE hundred years combined service for three Meals on Wheels volunteers led to recognition at a morning tea on Friday.
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Member for New England Barnaby Joyce presented Joyce McAndrew, Shirley George and Alan George with certificates for their dedication and commitment to the organisation.
The three volunteers have now retired from their delivery roles, but were honoured at a morning tea at the CWA Rooms marking National Meals on Wheels celebrations.
Mrs McAndrew volunteered for Meals on Wheels for 45 years and said she originally delivered meals with Kath Cantrell.
“In those days, meals were cooked in our own kitchen,” Mrs McAndrew said.
“I can remember taking meals to elderly men in a house in Elgin Street, which was the original servicemen’s club, but I can’t remember when we started collecting meals from the hospital kitchen.”
Mrs McAndrew said her sister Shirley George came on board when Kath Cantrell passed away, and when Shirley’s husband Alan retired he offered to be the driver.
“During this time, we experienced some memorable incidents,” Mrs McAndrew said.
“The first one was with Kath, when we went to the eastern end of town after rain and came to grief in black soil, but luckily some workmen came to the rescue,” she said.
“Once we were delivering meals in Hunter Street when a whirly wind blew threw the car and when we arrived back to the hospital, we discovered the money bag with cheques etc was missing, so we went back and luckily we found the bag well off the road in the showground area.
“I have very much enjoyed my years of volunteering, but feel it is now time to make way for the younger generation.”
Meals on Wheels Gunnedah now includes around 110 volunteers, with 10 under the age of 30 and five under the age of 35 years.
Meals on Wheels Gunnedah president Colleen Fuller said it was not just about the meal but about the daily contact.
“Some clients may not have any other visitors but to know someone is coming every day to deliver them a hot meal is rewarding,” Mrs Fuller said.
“No one is to be left uncared for in our community.
“I will fight every step of the way to push to keep hot meals.
“Frozen meals delivered once a week is disgusting and totally unacceptable.”
Barnaby Joyce was impressed with the number of volunteers at the Gunnedah branch.
“It’s the actions of these volunteers that allow the elderly in Gunnedah to stay in the familiarity of their homes, enjoying the dignity of living at home with their photos on the mantelpiece and their gardens outside,” Mr Joyce said.