For about 39 years, June McConnell has been delivering meals to those that need them across the North-West.
In her time as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, things have certainly changed.
This is the fourth story in our series Helping Hands, celebrating the selfless volunteers we have across the North-West.
When Mrs McConnell first started, she said the service was “totally different”.
Then, meals were collected from Wynyard hospital and volunteers helped dish out soup to deliver across the region. “We had a ladle to dish it out, we would then put that in the boot of our own car,” she said. “Occasionally, maybe you’d go around the corner a little bit fast, and the soup would sort of spill into the boot of your car.” These days, Mrs McConnell said she delivers meals in pre-packaged containers leaving the food and an ice-cube in bags left outside homes.
“Times have changed,” she said. “Now when you do Meals on Wheels, you rarely see the people you deliver them to.” She said nowadays there were many more people using the service.
The 82-year old first joined as a way to give back the community served by Toyworld, a business she ran with her husband for three decades. Now retired, she said delivering meals to those who needed it continued to be rewarding.
“I have good health, and it’s just nice to be able to help someone, give them a better day.” She said.
Anyone wishing to learn about volunteering with Meals on Wheels Tasmania can do so at Volunteer – Meals on Wheels Tasmania
