Meals on Wheels is an institution in Australia, having started in Port Adelaide in 1953.

In 1957, the organisation started in NSW.

According to the history books, In the first week 150 meals were cooked in the Sydney Town Hall for inner city dwellers. The cost of the meal then was two shillings, which is approximately 20 cents today.

 With the support of tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers across the country, Meals on Wheels continues to not only deliver delicious and nutritious meals to the doors of older Australians, but also help combat social isolation - a national health and wellbeing issue among those aged over 65 and a risk factor for poor health and premature death.

National Meals on Wheels Day was held on 30 August, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the original service.

At Coonamble Meals on Wheels, like many others, the service continues without fanfare and thanks to many volunteers. The local branch began in November 1966, and has been going strong ever since.

Coordinator at Coonamble's Meals on Wheels, Annette Chapman, said the branch was "wonderfully supported" by the community.

"We have 50 - 60 active volunteers who come from all parts of the community," Ms Chapman said. "Local businesses are really fantastic in their contribution. We have volunteers from Coonamble Public Primary School, Quota, Koonambil Aged Care, local stock and station agents and local real estate agents who allow staff to take part in the service. Local businesses and groups also provide fuel vouchers for volunteers."

Anne Phillips prepares meals on wheels in 2019. PHOTO: Coonamble Times 

Ms Chapman said they have volunteers from all sectors of the community who undertake police checks before hitting the road to deliver meals to around 30 active clients.

"We deliver meals seven days a week," she said. "Hot meals are cooked at the local hospital and frozen meals are sourced through Dubbo.

Chair of Meals on Wheels Australia, Paul Sadler says the 70-year milestone is something to be truly proud of, as well as the many ways that Meals on Wheels supports communities, far beyond delivering food.

“One thing that has remained clear over Meals on Wheels’ 70 years is that the service we provide with the support of committed volunteers, is vital," he said. "As we learnt from the subsequent Meals on Wheels Social Impact Report, released by Huber Social, the Meals on Wheels model and our volunteers are critical in supporting older people to live well, meet their nutritional needs, their dietary and eating preferences, providing necessary social connection, as well as carrying out lifesaving wellbeing checks at every visit."

Ms Chapman agrees this finding is true in Coonamble.

"The meal delivery also doubles as a wellbeing check for some clients who have no family close by. Only recently we had an instance that caused us to contact police to do a welfare check, but luckily all was well."

Volunteers Wayne Phillips, Ted and Irene Reeves ready to deliver. PHOTO: Coonamble Times 2019

The Coonamble branch of Meals on Wheels didn't do anything special to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the service but Ms Chapman said there is a plan for a get together in November.

"We plan to have a pre-Christmas celebration for volunteers and clients and might celebrate out 57th anniversary at the same time," she said.

Paul Sadler said Meals on Wheels is a crucial service for communities and older Australians right across the nation.

“What we do certainly goes beyond delivering a meal to someone’s door," he said.