Cohuna Meals on Wheels celebrates 40 Years

Ambassador for Ageing and one of Australia’s best loved actors Noeline Brown will be the guest speaker at a luncheon for 120 to celebrate the anniversary of 40 years of Meals on Wheels in Cohuna tomorrow Thursday 13 October. 

Gannawarra Shire Director of Community Services Jason Russell said the milestone achievement was a credit to all the volunteers who had been involved over the years, and in particular those who had the vision to start and continue to operate such an important community service. 

“Meals on Wheels is about facilitating the health and wellbeing of those we deliver meals to, as well as providing daily social interaction for our clients.  Volunteers are also rewarded with the Meals on Wheels experience, so everyone benefits,” Mr Russell said.

The first meals were delivered on Friday 1 October 1971 to 10 clients.  Mr Dan Phyland and Mr Charlie Wood of the Cohuna Lions Club delivered the first meal to Mr John Batchelor.

“An outstanding 100 Volunteers registered to be drivers and carriers. Remarkably, a small number of original volunteers are still delivering meals today, 40 years later, including Alison Mawson, Gwen Peace, Beth Wood and Joy Keath. Kate Johnson and Aileen Wilson, the only original pairing, retired last year after volunteering together for 39 years,” Mr Russell added. 

Cohuna District Hospital supplied the meals in hot bins which were donated by the Lions Club. They continue to supply meals to this day to the same high standard.

The inaugural Meals on Wheels committee office bearers were:

President - Mr Jim Dobie

Secretary - Mrs Olive Semple

Treasurer – Mrs C Painter.                                                                                                                             

“Cohuna Meals on Wheels now has approximately 180 volunteers, coordinated by Senior Volunteer Coordinator Anne Raffin, delivering meals in three cars to 42 clients per week. 

“We are always looking for more volunteers so anyone interested please contact the Shire on 03 5450 9333,’ Mr Russell concluded.

Date: 12 October 2011

Media contact: Mandy Hutchinson 03 5450 9333

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