Jack Hudson

GAWLER Meals on Wheels volunteer Francis Bills celebrated 40 years of service on Wheels SA Awardee Day earlier this month.

Ms Bills began volunteering with Meals on Wheels’ Gawler branch when her children were both at primary school, and regularly delivered meals with fellow long-serving volunteers Ellen Kemp and Shirley Carter.

In early days of volunteering, three volunteers were on per round, as the meals were put into large, heavy aluminium cans, which were then carried into the home of each customer and served onto plates in their kitchens.

Ms Bills continued volunteering after her husband, Tony, passed away in 2010, volunteering to help the cooks in the kitchen in the mornings, before delivering meals on her round once a fortnight.

She said she’s amazed at the care and planning which goes into producing the meals for the community.

“The fact customers now have a choice of main courses makes it even nicer for them,” she said.

“Volunteering has given me both a sense of fulfilment and pride.”

Meals on Wheels patron and Governor of South Australia Hieu Van Le AC and Mrs Lan Le presented the 40-plus year awards at the event.

Meals on Wheels president Bill Coomans, chief executive Sharyn Broer and board members were also in attendance.

“This is a special annual event to publicly congratulate and thank our wonderful volunteers who are the backbone of Meals on Wheels SA,” Mrs Broer said.

“Our volunteers always put their community first, and in 2020 that selfless spirit has been even more important.

“Despite all the challenges of COVID-19, our volunteers have gone above and beyond.

“Our volunteers continue to prepare and deliver nutritious meals as well as carry out welfare checks and social interactions with people in need across the state.”

Meals on Wheels is South Australia’s largest community-based volunteer organisation and is responsible for 80 branches, 7000 volunteers and 60 staff delivering 4000 daily meals and supporting 11,000 people annually.