Thank you Gannawarra Volunteers!
Published on 27 September 2021
Council commends the role of its volunteers over the past year in assisting with the Gannawarra Shire Council’s Meals on Wheels program, and looks forward to welcoming them back this coming November as COVID-19 restrictions plan to ease.
The Meals on Wheels program, run in partnership with Cohuna District Hospital and Kerang District Health, involved over 204 volunteers in 2021 throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to deliver 1,300 fresh and frozen meals per month to residents across all seven towns within the Shire.
“Our volunteers have gone above and beyond this year in their willingness to adapt to changes and continually bring understanding, patience, and a strong community spirit into the work they do,” said Chief Executive Officer Tom O’Reilly.
"Delivering more than just a hot meal but a smile, a connection, and a genuine sense of compassion through the service they provide."
In late March of 2020, Council decided to implement alternative arrangements to protect the health of both volunteers and residents by having our dedicated Community Care team delivering meals until late December 2020.
Since that end date, volunteers have been assisting again with the service, as COVID-19 protocols permit, with the use of the Community Care team assuming the role again when mandated COVID-19 worker permits were implemented during the lockdown in early September 2021.
“With the recent announcement of the COVID-19 road map out of lockdown, we look forward to when we can welcome our dedicated volunteers once more, with plans to reintroduce volunteers in a staggered approach starting in November 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions plan to ease”, Mr. O’Reilly said.
Anyone wanting to volunteer their time for our Meals on Wheels program and other services, including the L2P Driver Mentor Program, the Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre, and the Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service, are encouraged to express their interest and contact Council on (03) 5450 9333 for more information.
For more information regarding Coronavirus and Gannawarra Shire Council’s efforts, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.
Residents who have further questions about the COVID-19 roadmap to recovery or whom are concerned regarding Coronavirus are encouraged to phone the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus