One of our most treasured volunteers finished her 54 years of devotion to our cause on Wednesday 13 March.

Ruth McPhee began her service with the organisation near Wagga Wagga and continued in Batemans Bay when she moved in 1983.

She stopped delivering six years ago but has come into the Batemans Bay Community Centre nearly every week to pack meals. She said it was satisfying and theraputic to be useful to others.

"It makes you appreciate what you've got," she said. "It's really good for people doing it as well as the people they're helping." She went on to say, "I don't know how the country would run without the volunteers."

Ruth was thanked for her efforts by the State Member for Bega (Hon Andrew Constance) and the Mayor of the Eurobodalla Shire Council (Councillor Liz Innes) on her last day. Each made a presentation on behlaf of their organisation to recognise Ruths work.

Manager (Alan Russell) made a small presentation on behalf of the President and Board, and the Cooperative as a whole to someone who has quietly done so much for others.

Andrew Conastance did remark on the number of years and the countless number of people Ruth had assisted. "Other than the recipients, there were family members and friends who had been helped by Ruths generosity of time and purpose," he said.

Our congratulations to Ruth for her work, example and compassion. We are indebted to Ruth and wish her well in her retirement.

As Alan Russell commented, "you deserve to put your feet up and feel proud of the service you have given to others."

Acknowledge Andrea Cantle (Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, Friday 15 March 2019.

Eurobodalla Meals on Wheels has delivered meals throughout the Shire for many years.

The Brand, Meals on Wheels is also well known throughout the world and for over 60 years within Australia.

But Meals on Wheels offers much more and has the catch phrase 'More than just a meal' on its promotional material.

"Meals continue to be the core of our service," says Manager Alan Russell. "But for many years now we have offered Group and Individual social support programmes to help our clients fight against loneliness and social isolation."

The Group Social Support is offered through the well-known Out and About and Lunch About programmes.

Clients meet in the three major centres of the Shire to share time together. Social interaction and a range of activities keep the mind and body active.

The Individual Social Support allows volunteers to work on a one to one basis with, and for clients.

This could include shopping, attending medical appointments and some basic 'courtyard' gardening.

The Cuppa Chat is also growing in popularity. This allows a client and a volunteer to spend time together in the client's home.

"All our programmes and initiatives assist the older people of the Shire to stay on their home longer, to remain independent and enjoying life," says Mr Russell.

"This is the focus of our present aged care system and we are supporters of this initiative," says Mr Russell. "We support our clients and seek ways to provide fun and laughter, companionship and time away from the home."

Eurobodalla Meals on Wheels has developed a reputation for compassion, care, honesty and empathy and this is spread across all of the activities from meals to social support.

"These values are displayed by the staff and volunteers every day, " says Mr Russell.

Our Out and About clients enjoyed a wonderful Christmas party once again. The Batemans Bay Community Centre was decorated and very welcoming as the clients arrived. The table decorations were fantastic and the nibbles were thoroughly enjoyed.

Coordinator Chelsea and Assistant Keith put on a great day of entertainment and wonderful food. They even found Father Christmas and encouraged him to come and share time with well behaved clients! As a result, they all were given a gift!

The entertainment provided allowed people to sing along, dance, or just listen to the two singing groups who sang throughout the day.

Keith ran some competitions and Christmas bears were given away as prizes. These were fun and the prizes treasured!

The Christmas crackers were a treat and the jokes shared. Manager Alan collected the jokes to share at an evening Christmas engagement, and clients thought they would go down very well!!

Food is the cornerstone of Christmas and the Christmas lunch was delightful and plentiful. Thanks to Chelsea for her tremendous efforts and to her assistants who served, washed up and helped throughout the day.

Another great event for the clients of Out and About.

All systems are operating once again at Eurobodalla Meals on Wheels.

Our Meals are being delivered from the 9th January and our volunteers are keen to catch up with our wonderful clients once again. The opportunity to hear about the Christmas period from each other make conversations fun and entertaining.

Our Out and About  clients started on Monday at Narooma and with Lunch About on Tuesday. Once again the conversations about Christmas experiences were important highlights of each event.

Our Individual Social Support initiatives continue and we love to be able to support people with their shopping and appointments, with a 'cuppa and a chat'  and with some simple gardening tasks. This support is important and assists our clients to stay in their home for longer.

It was nice to hear back from our clients about the Christmas Cards they received prior to Christmas. These were produced by the Junior School students at St Peter's Anglican College and brought joy to each recipient.

Thanks you to our dedicated staff (Mim and Bethany) who were availabe to assist clients over the holiday period. There were the occasional meals required and once again they were pleased to assist.

The team of staff and volunteers, look forward to the year and the services we are able to supply to our clients.