Townsville MP Adam Baillie visits Meals on Wheels as part of parliamentary inquiry

Preparing and distributing more than 300 meals each day to those who need it is no mean feat, but is made possible by many hours of hard work by volunteers at St Andrew’s Meals on Wheels in Aitkenvale.

2IC at Meals on Wheels Wendy Gobbert, Townsville MP Adam Baillie and Meals on Wheels Business Manager Alison Maclean. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Preparing and distributing more than 300 meals each day to those who need it is no mean feat, but is made possible by many hours of hard work by volunteers at St Andrew’s Meals on Wheels in Aitkenvale.

The service was visited by Townsville MP Adam Baillie on Friday morning, as he hopes to get an insight into charities across the region as part of the Crisafulli government’s Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland.

The inquiry, which will run until September 18 aims to create a report on the current state of volunteering in Queensland and the challenges faced by both volunteers and the charity organisations receiving their time.

With volunteering participation decline by ten per cent over the past three years, Mr Baillie said he will be meeting with organisations that rely on volunteers and lend his time in an effort to provide greater support.

2IC at Meals on Wheels Wendy Gobbert, Townsville MP Adam Baillie and Meals on Wheels Business Manager Alison Maclean. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Mr Baillie also encouraged other volunteers, volunteer groups and charities to reach out and share their experiences on what improvements can be made and ways to encourage others to consider volunteering.

“By coming in and seeing the great work groups like Meals on Wheels do for the community, it gives us an idea of what they need, what would help them grow and how we can get more volunteers to lend their time,” he said.

Taking part in the morning delivery run Mr Baillie said there were many comments on the service and quality of the meals and noted that for some the Meals on Wheels volunteer could be the only person they interact with that day.

Meals on Wheels business manager Alison Maclean said the success of the charity relies on the work of dozens of volunteers from Townsville who donate their time.

“Every little bit helps, if someone only has time once a week or even once a month, that makes a huge difference for us,” she said.

The charity sends meals to Charter Towers once a week and also allows for people to come in and collect meals, with volunteering co-ordinator Scott Peaker saying volunteering is good for the soul.

“Anyone who wants to lend a helping hand is welcome,” he said.

Volunteers and charity organisations are encouraged to contribute during the public submissions phase which is open until 28 February and a serious of public forums will be held commencing in March.

Submissions can be made via https://qldparlcomm.snapforms.com.au/form/inquiry-into-volunteering-in-queensland

Originally published as Townsville MP Adam Baillie visits Meals on Wheels as part of parliamentary inquiry