Marlin Coast Meals On Wheels (MCMOW) celebrated its 30th anniversary of continuous service to the community with a special luncheon on Saturday (24 October).
The community-based organisation has been delivering meals to people in need, including frail, aged persons and younger people with disabilities, in the Cairns northern beaches community since 1990.
Approximately 100 guests attended the special 30th year anniversary luncheon, which took place at Trinity Beach Sports Club.
Guest speakers included past and current Presidents of MCMOW, The Hon. Craig Crawford MP (Member for Barron River), Rhonda Coghlan (Councillor, Division 8), Brett Olds (Councillor, Division 9), and Roslyn Broom (Chair, Queensland Meals on Wheels).
Marlin Coast Meals On Wheels Coordinator Pauline Buxton said it was a special occasion for staff and the volunteers, as well as all those who have been involved in the organisation for 30 years.
“Our service ensures that our clients can maintain a healthy and secure lifestyle while continuing to reside in their own home,” said Pauline.
“Living at home independently for as long as possible is precious. MCMOW has assisted numerous Australians for 30 years, and will continue to do so for many years.
“The success of MCMOW is the legacy of those special individuals who have so selflessly given of their time throughout the past 30 years to ensure the vulnerable members of our community are well cared for.
“I feel very humble to realise how many caring people have given their time voluntarily since 1990 to ensure freshly cooked nutritious meals have been prepared and delivered to citizens in our area.”
Pauline said the social contact MCMOW’s volunteers have made is of equal importance as the meals they have delivered.
“Our volunteers also monitor the well-being of our clients and follow-up action is taken when needed,” she said.
“The Meals on Wheels motto says it all: ‘We are the voluntary caring service, and we are more than ‘just a meal!’
“I feel it is a privilege to be involved with such a wonderful community service.”
Marlin Coast Meals On Wheels relies on more than 50 volunteers who selflessly donate their time to either work in the kitchen assisting the chef, or drive on the meal delivery runs to deliver more than 220 meals provided to local community members each week.
Marlin Coast Meals On Wheels delivers a choice of nutritious hot, chilled or frozen meals on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, freshly cooked that day, along with vegetarian meals, salads, yummy desserts, and soups.
Marlin Coast volunteers help make up the 15,000 Meals on Wheels volunteers from more than 140 services located throughout Queensland who deliver two million meals annually and provide support more to than 40,000 clients in cities, regional, and rural areas.
Marlin Coast Meals On Wheels serves a diverse range of clients from Aeroglen to Buchans Point, including those recovering from illness or injury, living with a disability, or those who need a helping hand.
“Marlin Coast Meals on Wheels is always looking for new volunteers to contribute to our service,” added Pauline.
If you wish to volunteer or know someone who might need Meals on Wheels, please contact the MOW Marlin Coast Office on 4055 6016, or email marlincoastmow@gmail.com. The office is located at 2 Pecten Close, Trinity Beach, and is open from 8am–2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.