30 Years of Service: Inside Warrnambool's Meals on Wheels

• 📅 Date: Ongoing community program

• 📍 Location: Warrnambool

• 📄 Details:
  For three decades, Warrnambool’s Meals on Wheels program has been one of the most enduring lifelines for older residents, people recovering from illness, and those living alone. What began as a modest volunteer-run service has grown into a tightly coordinated effort that delivers hundreds of meals each week—along with something equally important: companionship.

   

   

  At the heart of the operation is coordinator Linda Farrow, who has overseen the program for nine years. She describes Meals on Wheels as “more than a meal—it's a wellbeing check, a friendly face, and in some cases the only visitor someone might see that day.” Linda manages logistics, dietary needs, delivery routes, and a rotating roster of more than 40 volunteers who keep the wheels turning.

   

  One of those volunteers is Peter Collins, a retired postie who has been delivering meals for the last six years. Peter says volunteering keeps him active, purposeful, and connected to the community. “You get to know people. You notice when someone seems off, or when they’re excited about telling you something. It feels good to know you’re helping in a small but meaningful way.”

   

  The impact is measurable. Last year alone, Meals on Wheels Warrnambool delivered more than 22,000 meals, supported by a volunteer corps contributing over 6,000 hours of service. With an aging population and increased demand for home-based support, the program expects those numbers to continue rising.

   

  The human impact, however, can’t be captured in numbers alone. Joan, an 84-year-old program recipient, agreed to share her story. After losing mobility following a fall, she found herself housebound and struggling with daily cooking. “Meals on Wheels gave me my independence back,” she says. “I know someone is checking in. And I know I’m not forgotten.” Her favourite days are when Peter arrives with “a quick chat and a warm grin.”

   

  With surging demand, the program is seeking new volunteers—especially drivers available for two-hour shifts on weekday mornings. Training is provided, routes are simple, and volunteers use their own cars with fuel reimbursement available. Linda says even one shift a month can make a difference. “People often think they need a lot of time to volunteer. They don’t. Just a little commitment helps us keep serving the community.”

   

  As the program celebrates 30 years, Meals on Wheels continues to stand as a reminder of what community support can achieve: nourishment, connection, compassion—and the reassurance that no neighbour should be left behind.

   

"The real opportunity for success lies within the person and not in the job." - Zig Ziglar