Armidale / Uralla Meals on Wheels has farewelled Coordinator Jo Heslin with a lovely afternoon tea held on Tuesday 4th April. Jo has been with Meals on Wheels for 4 years and in that time has overseen major change and growth for this vital community service, including the establishment of a commercial cookery and customised facility for the preparation and distribution of up to 3,000 meals per month.
Meals on Wheels (MOW) has been active in Armidale since 1966 and when we had outgrown our operational base at the Armidale Hospital, (with the support of the MOW Management Committee and under the guidance of the late Don Veale who was Committee President at that time) the organisation relocated and subsequently engaged a team of permanent kitchen staff in addition to the administration team.
Recent additions to the premises include air conditioning and carpet and the next exciting phase of development will result in the installation of a freezer room, solar panels and an internal partition to help separate the Cafe section from the Administration area. This is all a direct result of the vision Jo presented with a long-term goal of establishing a Cafe on site which is due to open in coming months offering a selection of meals and beverages as well as catering options for local businesses and organisations.
Meals on Wheels could not sustain its operations without the tireless efforts of the volunteers who deliver meals every weekday and offer their time and talents in many other areas as well – some of the volunteers have been with MOW for over 35 years!
MOW President Rick Mills says that Jo Heslin has been an inspiration to everyone at MOW over the last 4 years and that she will be sadly missed as she and her family relocate to the central coast of NSW.
Jo Heslin spoke of the very successful changes to meals on wheels, thanked all past & present involved for their ongoing commitment & support. She also said she was confident that meals on wheels would continue to be a valued service under the new management of Kerryn Williams. Jo wished everyone good luck for the future.
President Rick Mills pictured above presenting Jo Heslin with a farewell gift.