Meals on Wheels needs our help
It was alarming to read earlier this week that one of our most valued community services, Meals on Wheels, has reported a $3m loss in revenue and nearly 10,000 volunteers in the past year.
It seems the essential service, which provides nutritious low-cost meals to seniors and the disadvantaged, has not been immune to inflationary pressures. Combined with the drop in volunteers following COVID, and increasing demand from those aged under 65years, Meals on Wheels now needs our help.
Locally, we are perhaps more fortunate than some, with a wonderful crew of around 150 dedicated locals who, together with the amazing staff, help deliver more than 21,000 meals every year to our community. But the grim news is a timely reminder of just how important volunteers are to the daily operation of this service. If you have any time to spare, please give a thought to helping out.
Youth Justice Reform Select Committee
In case you aren’t aware, next week the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee, which I am part of, is holding a public hearing on the Sunshine Coast. The committee, chaired by Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, has released seven priority areas for phase 2 of the inquiry, and I look forward to hearing from local stakeholders. If you would like to contribute to the inquiry, submissions close at 10 am on Frida,y 1 March. More details can be found on the Queensland Parliament website.
Gambling Grants
Congratulations to the recipients of the latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. Collectively, groups in the electorate secured more than $220,000 in this round, which I think is a record! Local recipients included:
Coolum Colts $18,944
Maroochydore AFL & Roos $32,062 each
Maroochy Sea Serpents $34,341
Hoofbeats Sanctuary $34,997
Altitude Scholarships $4210
Congratulations to those successful groups, and to those who weren’t so lucky this time, make sure you don’t miss out on the $30million super round, which opens next month.