About Us

Meals on Wheels NSW is the peak body organisation for Meals on Wheels services across the state. Meals on Wheels NSW works to support its member services with resources, advocacy, and sharing of information and good practice.

Meals on Wheels services have over 14,000 volunteers across NSW, who deliver around 4.5 million meals to clients each year.

There are 130+ local Meals on Wheels services across the state.

Meals on Wheels has been serving meals and a friendly visit to older Australians for more than 70 years.

Meals on Wheels provides a nutritionally balanced meal to those wanting to continue to age well in their home, and their carers. The service is not means tested.

Meals on Wheels seek to actively educate clients and reduce the high risk of malnutrition in older people. Improving nutrition reduces falls and other associated health risks in older people.

Often a Meals on Wheels meal is the best source of nutritional content for a client who would otherwise exist on tea and toast.

Meals on Wheels enables people to be independent in their own homes for longer. Most people prefer to live at home, but in many cases they need support to do this. Without community services such as Meals on Wheels, older Australians are at risk of premature admission to aged care.

Meals on Wheels volunteers are often the only daily point of contact for recipients, serving to decrease their social isolation and assist in monitoring their health and well being.

Taste, visual appeal and meeting cultural needs of CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) clients is also a priority. Special diets (e.g. gluten-free) are catered for.

Our Historical Timeline

Everyone has a story to tell... we think ours is a very special one. Meals on Wheels has grown to be a driving force in the community. From our humble beginnings over 70 years ago, where we were started by the community, for the community, we now have 130 Meals on Wheels services located across NSW. Take a trip down memory lane with us.

1943
1947
1953
1954
1957
1970
1987
2010
Today

1943 - The beginning

Meals on Wheels began in December 1943 in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England. Members of the Women’s Voluntary Service delivered meals to elderly and sick people affected by a flu epidemic during World War II. The service continued beyond the crisis to meet what was described as “a great need”, laying the foundation for a global movement.

1947 - Rapid Growth Across England

By June 1947, the Women's Voluntary Services and other community groups were delivering meals from 49 sites across England, demonstrating the effectiveness of volunteer-led, community-based meal services.

1953 - Meals on Wheels Comes to Australia

Australia’s Meals on Wheels journey began in South Melbourne, Victoria. Mrs E. Watts, a member of the local council’s Ladies Auxiliary, delivered meals to people in need using a specially fitted tricycle. The service quickly gained popularity, highlighting the demand for support for older and vulnerable people living at home.

1954 - Expansion and South Australian Firsts

Due to growing demand in Melbourne, the Red Cross stepped in to provide vehicles and volunteers. That same year, following strong advocacy by Doris Taylor MBE, the first Meals on Wheels kitchen in Australia was established in Port Adelaide, marking the official launch of the service in South Australia.

1957 - Meals on Wheels Launches in NSW

In March 1957, Sydney City Council introduced the first Meals on Wheels service in New South Wales. During its first week, volunteers prepared 150 meals in Sydney Town Hall for inner-city residents. Meals cost two shillings, approximately 20 cents in today’s currency, making the service accessible to those in need.

1970 - National Support Through Government Funding

The Delivered Meals Subsidy Act was passed, providing Commonwealth funding for the first time. This legislation helped subsidise the cost of meal delivery for "aged and invalid people" nationwide, securing Meals on Wheels as a vital part of Australia’s community care system.

1987 - Meals on Wheels NSW Peak Body Established

The Meals on Wheels NSW Peak Body was established to support, represent and strengthen local services across the state, helping ensure consistency, sustainability and effective advocacy.

2010 - A Unified National Identity

New national branding was launched to unify Meals on Wheels services across Australia. The refreshed identity reinforced the message that Meals on Wheels is ‘more than just a meal’, recognising the importance of social connection, wellbeing and independence.

Today - Supporting Communities Across NSW and Australia

More than 70 years after the first delivery, Meals on Wheels remains a cornerstone of community care. Across Australia, tens of thousands of volunteers deliver around 10 million meals each year to more than 110,000 people.

In New South Wales alone, 130 member services and 14,000 volunteers deliver approximately 4.5 million meals annually, supporting people to live independently in their own homes.

How can we help?

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