General News
22 April, 2022
Meals On Wheels To Celebrate… Veterans With 2,500 Anzac Biccies
MEALS on Wheels Cairns partnered with RSL Cairns Sub Branch to deliver over 2,500 RSL branded ANZAC biscuits, a long stem poppy and a ‘Lest we forget’ card to their elderly clients in the days leading to ANZAC Day to honour veterans and their families.
This will be the first time Meals on Wheels delivers ANZAC biscuits to their clients, and they hope this can become a yearly tradition.
The Meals on Wheels Cairns ANZAC biscuit drive initiative was possible due to the contribution of ABC Radio’s ‘QLD Gives Campaign’ and the support of Ovato Print Cairns.
Cairns Meals on Wheels president Joan Cadman said this initiative is very significant to their patrons.
“Meals on Wheels Cairns was established back in 1968, with volunteers delivering meals for 50 plus years to the Cairns region; this ensures seniors stay healthy and live independently in their homes,” Ms Cadman said.
“ANZAC Day is a very special and important time for so many of our clients, with many being veterans, partners, or families of veterans.”
“Many of our clients would not find it possible to attend any services on ANZAC Day.
“This way, we can bring ANZAC Day into their homes, and they have the RSL special packets of biscuits, their little red poppies, and it’s a token for them to have to commemorate ANZAC Day.”
Cairns RSL Sub Branch president Jeffrey Langham said they were excited to have this partnership and support those who need it most.
“To be able to bring the spirit of ANZAC to those who may not be able to attend the service and march on the day is a great initiative that the Cairns RSL subbranch is pleased to support,” Mr Langham said.
“Cairns community services like Meals on Wheels Cairns and the Cairns RSL Sub Branch provide vital caring volunteer services within the local community.”
Business Manager at Cairns Meals on Wheels Michael Musumeci said the ANZAC biccy drive allows the elderly to feel close to the ANZAC spirit.
“During the pandemic, many of our clients were isolated in their homes, and this is a prime opportunity where we can utilise the ANZAC tradition of sharing the biscuits to our clients but also working closely with RSL where ANZAC Day services are back up and running, and these are people who really want to pay their respects,” Mr Musumeci said.
“So it was a great opportunity to allow the clients to have a packet of ANZAC biscuits and commemorate ANZAC Day, which is a special day for many of our clients who are veterans, family of veterans, or partners of veterans.”
“We wanted to give back, and this is a new step for us in showing how we care.”
Sue Slatcher is one of the many Meals on Wheels Cairns volunteers who will deliver ANZAC biscuits around the city to senior residents who eagerly wait for a meal and the company and conversation that these volunteers offer.
Ms Slatcher said that details like ANZAC biscuits make all the difference for the clients.
“It’s very exciting. It’s great for the clients because just having something different with their meals is very special,” she said.
“We all think ANZAC Day is a very special day, but it’s even more so for older people because they have gone through a lot and we have never experienced that, but for the clients to get something on that day, it will bring back memories.”
Ms Cadman praised the effort of the volunteers who keep working hard to bring some joy to senior residents who may feel lonely during special occasions like ANZAC Day.
“Without our volunteers, there’d be no Meals on Wheels,” she said.
“They talk to the clients, so they understand better what the clients are feeling, and it’s such an important work to do. We’re really grateful.”
