New provider for meals service

A NEW Meals on Wheels service provider has been confirmed in Ballarat.

The Federal Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, announced last week that Queensland Meals on Wheels will be the new local provider from July.

The group has since begun working with the City of Ballarat with the aim of a smooth transition from the current provider.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson said Queensland Meals on Wheels will be setting up a branch in the region and will operate as Meals on Wheels Ballarat.

“They want to embrace this new Ballarat service and establish themselves here locally, which is a fantastic result for all clients of Meals on Wheels,” he said.

“This pilot program is about a large-scale entity that specialises in this area of service delivery wanting to contribute to the Ballarat community.

“They want to engage our current pool of Meals on Wheels volunteers to stay involved in the program and help make the transition as seamless as possible.”

The move comes after the City of Ballarat withdrew from providing many senior services following the introduction of the Federal Government’s Commonwealth Home Support Program from 30 June.

People will currently receiving services provided by the municipality will began to transition to new providers in the next few months.

“Our vision is to build independence to nourish the lives of individuals and strengthen communities with a purpose to enable people to live independently,” said Queensland Meals on Wheels CEO Evan Hill.

“Meals on Wheels Queensland will continue to walk these values in Ballarat to create Meals on Wheels Ballarat and believe there is great alignment already with the service and ethos currently delivered by the City of Ballarat council.”