When 25 women from the Kiama Hospital and Hospital Board gathered in 1970, they decided they needed to help older residents in the community who needed support with meals.

Fifty-five years later, Kiama Meals on Wheels has become an essential part of the community, supporting 187 clients in the Kiama and Shellharbour local government areas.

Kiama Meals on Wheels manager Joanne North says the organisation will mark its 55th anniversary on 1 September, with celebrations happening on National Meals on Wheels Day, 27 August.

“We'll be hosting a thank you morning tea at The Sebel to celebrate Meals on Wheels and to thank our volunteers for their continued support because we can't do it without them,” she said.

This anniversary is particularly special as two members from the original inaugural meeting remain involved today, Marion Witheridge and Ann Dawes, who are life members, with Ann also being patron of the organisation.

“Fifty-five years on, two people are still committing their time and their energy to supporting the organisation, which I think is a milestone in itself to be able to make that commitment,” Joanne said.

The organisation has grown significantly since its beginnings, now with 60 volunteers delivering over 500 meals weekly, and also offering a specialist nutrition and wellness service.

Joanne emphasises that the service is "more than just a meal", they provide social and community connection as well as performing welfare checks on clients.

“We are a community meal service with volunteers looking at helping people live full and independent lives but empowering them to be able to stay at home in their own home where they want to be,” she said.

Meals on Wheels has also partnered with The Bugle, delivering the newspaper fortnightly to clients as a way to maintain community connections and keep them up to date on what’s happening in Kiama.

“The local news is in the local paper, so if you know what's going on locally, you feel more a part of the community and more connected,” said Joanne.

Joanne credits local volunteers for keeping the service strong for 55 years, which clearly highlights their organisations priorities and commitment to community.

“You can't do it without the volunteers…They are local people supporting a locally established organisation that's not for profit. Everything they give goes back to that client,” she said.

Kiama Meals on Wheels 55 year morning tea celebrations will be held on Wednesday 27 August at The Sebel, bringing together clients, supporters and volunteers.