Meals on Wheels

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. R.B. Martin:

That this council—

1. Recognises that 2024 marks the 70^th anniversary of Meals on Wheels;

2. Commemorates the work of Doris Taylor in establishing Meals on Wheels;

3. Acknowledges the importance of Meals on Wheels as a social institution that supports the wellbeing of some of South Australia's most vulnerable residents; and

4. Commends the essential work of all Meals on Wheels staff, volunteers and members.

(Continued from 19 June 2024.)

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (23:30): I rise to speak in support of this motion which urges the council to recognise that 2024 marks the 70^th anniversary of Meals on Wheels. It seeks to commemorate the work of Doris Taylor in establishing Meals on Wheels. It seeks to acknowledge the importance of Meals on Wheels as a social institution that supports the wellbeing of some of South Australia’s most vulnerable residents. It also seeks to commend the essential work of all Meals on Wheels staff, volunteers and members. I wholeheartedly support all the tenets of this motion.

Meals on Wheels Australia is a vital national association working alongside its member organisations, as well as peak bodies, providers and services across every state and territory in Australia. Committed to supporting the wellbeing and interests of primarily older Australians, although not necessarily so, Meals on Wheels Australia works with these groups and the community to raise awareness and to lobby for action around the importance of good nutrition and also, importantly, social connection.

South Australia's own Doris Taylor, a dedicated advocate for the elderly and the isolated, established the volunteer-run Meals on Wheels in Adelaide in 1954. So for over 70 years now Meals on Wheels has played a crucial role nationally in supporting the health and wellbeing of over 200,000 Australians annually across the member network of over 590 service locations. The Meals on Wheels kitchen opened in Port Adelaide on 9 August 1954, with other kitchens soon established in our state at Norwood, Hindmarsh and Woodville. Just 10 years after it commenced its important work, Meals on Wheels had already served its one millionth meal.

As the mover of the motion outlined, Meals on Wheels is a not-for-profit community-based volunteer organisation helping South Australians to live independently in their own homes by providing nutritious three-course meals on weekdays and frozen meals for weekends and public holidays. It is a service that is available to any South Australian who may find it challenging to shop, prepare meals for themselves or something in that order. The elderly, people with a disability, those recovering from surgery and carers are all eligible to become clients of Meals on Wheels. It is quite extraordinary that this organisation does not means test and that there are actually no waiting lists for its clientele.

Meals on Wheels is a program that ensures that those who are unable to prepare meals for themselves are not left to face hunger or malnutrition, which is imperative and particularly important, especially given the cost-of-living pressures that are being felt by the most vulnerable, in particular, in our society at the present time. The impact of Meals on Wheels, however, certainly extends far beyond the provision of nutritious food. It fosters a connection to the broader community and is therefore a lifeline for many of our elderly and vulnerable citizens, which is the reason it boasts the motto, 'More than just a meal,' because it is more than just a meal. It is so much more than that.

In fact, the volunteers who deliver meals seek to ensure that every recipient is okay through personal contact. The importance of Meals on Wheels cannot therefore be overstated. In addition to providing food, it offers independence, dignity and security to a more vulnerable population. For some, the daily visit from a Meals on Wheels volunteer may be the only social interaction they have, making this service a crucial element in combatting loneliness and social isolation.

Meals on Wheels has become a cornerstone of our community and no doubt many in this chamber, including myself, would have known loved ones who have been its beneficiaries at one time or another. I wholeheartedly commend this motion to the council and commend the member for bringing it to our attention.

The Hon. S.L. GAME (23:34): I rise briefly to support the recognition of the 70^th anniversary of Meals on Wheels and join with the honourable member in commemorating the incredible work of Doris Taylor. Meals on Wheels continues to provide a vital service for many of our most vulnerable and elderly South Australians, and much of this valuable work is contingent upon the service of volunteers. Without this service, many of our most isolated would not only go hungry but would also be deprived of an important form of social contact.

Since 1954, Meals on Wheels has delivered 50 million meals, so I join with the honourable members in expressing my gratitude for this remarkable achievement and contribution to the South Australian community. May this valuable and essential work continue long into the future, providing millions more meals as well as a strong sense of community and social connection for all involved in this great work.

The Hon. T.T. NGO (23:35): I also rise to speak in support of this motion. As we all know, Meals on Wheels does such important and extraordinary work in our communities. Meal services play a vital role in people's lives, removing the burden of grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking for the many people who need this essential help. A large number of elderly people want to remain in their own homes as they age, and Meals on Wheels helps them to do so.

The social interaction that comes through volunteers engaging with clients helps to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. In fact, only recently I was chatting with an elderly lady who lives a few streets away from me. Mrs Joy Way, who is almost 95 years old, told me she had volunteered for Meals on Wheels for 30 years, only retiring four years ago when she turned 90 in 2020.

Joy remembers the big earthenware urns used to serve the soup that were placed in the boots of cars, along with large eskies used to transport food. She told me how she always looked into her clients' fridges to make sure previous meals had been eaten and that there was fresh food. If there were concerns, these would be followed up with head office.

Joy described how the people she met on her deliveries would tell her how much they looked forward to her visits because of the conversations she shared, as well as her hugs. Joy had fond memories of two particular ladies, who told her they always enjoyed seeing her and having a hug. Meeting Joy recently and hearing about her 30 years of volunteering with Meals on Wheels really highlighted to me how lucky we are to have people like Joy in our communities.

She mentioned that, when she retired at age 90, she received a beautiful mantel clock for her service to Meals on Wheels. She told me how the clock came with a card, which included the following words, and I quote:

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.

On that note, I want to thank the network of past and present volunteers at Meals on Wheels. I think I can speak on behalf of all members of the South Australian parliament when I say: never underestimate the enormity of your contribution. As you deliver meals you are also connecting with people who treasure those moments of conversation and social interaction. However brief they may be, they mean something.

I want to thank the Hon. Reggie Martin for acknowledging the founder of this social institution, Doris Taylor, and for recognising and commending Meals on Wheels and the invaluable service of staff, volunteers and members.

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (23:39): I would like to start by paying my thanks to the Hon. Sarah Game for her contribution; to the Hon. Dennis Hood, the always erudite and generous contributor, for his very kind words about Meals on Wheels; and a special thanks to my good friend the Hon. Tung Ngo for that personal story and the good timing to run into someone who has done such great work for Meals on Wheels for such a long time. To still be volunteering at the age of 90 is quite an amazing tale, so thank you, Tung, for that personal story.

A lot of people in South Australia and Australia know about Meals on Wheels, as I did, but what I did not know about was the amazing story behind its formation and that of Doris Taylor. I would like to place on the record my thanks for a very talented young man named Isaac Solomon, a university student from the University of South Australia, who brought Doris Taylor's life to my attention. It is an amazing tale: a woman who faced great challenge and adversity, who rose above it and created this lasting legacy in establishing Meals on Wheels.

I think the highest honour we can give someone is to acknowledge that they have left the place better than they found it, and when it comes to Doris Taylor that is certainly the case. I commend this motion to the house.

Motion carried.