Yvette D'Ath (Petrie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to echo the sentiments of the member for Parkes and join him in expressing support for the work of Meals on Wheels Australia. Meals on Wheels provide an invaluable service in so many of our communities around the country. In fact, there are over 750 branches operating throughout Australia, delivering meals to around 53,000 people. There is a fantastic level of services, thanks predominately to the dedication and commitment of around 80,000 volunteers. Meals on Wheels is about more than just a meal, as their motto goes. Since its establishment in Australia in 1952, Meals on Wheels has been providing social support and interaction to clients alongside their nutritious, healthy meals. Most of us want to stay in our homes as we age and Meals on Wheels plays an important role in maintaining the independence of our seniors.

Services are provided at low price, usually at cost, and are not means-tested, though many clients are pensioners and on limited budgets. Meals on Wheels can also cater for people with disabilities as well as carers who may not have the skills or the time needed to stay healthy at meal times without assistance. In some cases where volunteer support and finances allow, Meals on Wheels can also provide temporary support to others such as new mums immediately after the birth of a baby or to a partner or spouse following the death of a loved one.

The services offered by Meals on Wheels can provide comfort to loved ones secure in the knowledge that someone will be checking in on their mum or dad or grandma at home on a regular basis. We also know that for some Meals on Wheels clients the volunteers dropping off their meals are the only visitors they ever have. In these circumstances a friendly word or a smile from a volunteer can make a world of difference in the lives of the people receiving meals. But the service is not just benefiting its clients. We know the rewards of volunteer work are significant for communities and for individual volunteers. Volunteer work is a great way to be part of and give back to your community, to meet new people and to keep active in unemployment or retirement.

I am proud to say that, according to the 2011 census data, almost 18,000 people in the Petrie electorate are doing or have done volunteer work at an organisation or community group such as Meals on Wheels. That is an amazing number and I pay tribute to every single one of those volunteers. Thank you for your contribution to our community. Meals on Wheels relies almost solely on the support of volunteers and as a result the community spirit instilled into the service and by it is heart-warming. Meals on Wheels gives volunteers the opportunity to make new friends and learn new skills, all the while helping those in need within our community.

On 28 August this year I was pleased to attend the Redcliffe Meals on Wheels annual general meeting. Incidentally, the AGM was held the day before national Meals on Wheels Day, celebrated annually on the last Wednesday in August. I would like to acknowledge the work of this branch, which has been servicing the Redcliffe Peninsula since 1967. I congratulate the new executive, many of whom are long-serving volunteers with the organisation. During its existence Redcliffe Meals on Wheels has delivered over 2½ million meals to local residents. Within my electorate we are fortunate to be serviced by a total of five Meals on wheels branches. As well as Redcliffe, I acknowledge the work of Sandgate, Deception Bay, Burpengary and Geebung. The number of clients these services alone deliver meals to provides some perspective on the value they bring to our community and how many seniors and families rely on them. Deception Bay delivers around 30 meals a day, Burpengary delivers between 250 and 300 meals per week and Sandgate delivers over 1,300 meals weekly. Last financial year the Geebung service delivered over 40,000 meals and this financial year Redcliffe is funded to deliver close to 70,000 meals to locals.

I take this opportunity behalf of my community to congratulate our local services on the great work they do and sincerely thank the volunteers who give up their time for the benefit and well-being of some of our most vulnerable residents. Meals on Wheels is always looking for new volunteers and with Christmas approaching they need all the help they can get, so I urge people considering volunteer work to contact their local Meals on Wheels services and get involved.

In recognition of the value and importance of the Meals on Wheels service, the federal government provides financial support through the Home and Community Care program. This financial year our government is providing $24 million for delivered meal services through HACC. I am pleased to see that over $6 million of that funding is committed in Queensland to support the delivery of more than two million meals statewide. Furthermore, as the member for Parkes may be aware, on 31 July this year the Commonwealth HACC resource unit partnered with Queensland Meals on Wheels to co-host a workshop 'Making the most of nutrition in Meals on Wheels'. The one-day workshop put together Meals on Wheels services, HACC service providers, dieticians, allied health and other health professionals, working with Meals on Wheels services and frail aged clients. Events like this workshop provides an important opportunity for stakeholders to raise issues such as nutrition with frail aged clients. (Time expired)

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