70 Years of Being ‘Seasoned with Care’: How Meals on Wheels Keeps Moreton Bay Moving

In 1956, Rhoda Cameron, wife of federal cabinet minister and local member Archie Cameron, returned to Ipswich from the UK with a vision. Having witnessed the ‘Blitz’ spirit of community feeding during the war, she stepped into her own kitchen and cooked three meals in pudding bowls for neighbours in need.

Seventy years later, those three pudding bowls have grown into a statewide legacy. Here in Moreton Bay, that mission is more vital than ever. As the third-largest local government area in Australia, with a population of over 500,000 that continues to grow, our region's footprint is expanding as fast as the community itself.

The Moreton Bay footprint

While the 70th-anniversary celebrations kick off this month in Ipswich, the impact is felt daily in our own backyard. From the rolling hills of Dayboro to the shores of Bribie Island, the local network is a logistical marvel.

The region operates under a sophisticated "Hub" model to ensure every corner of the bay is covered. While a central office manages services from Bribie and Caboolture to Samford and Pine Rivers, the organisation’s Queensland State Office is also based locally, right here in Brendale.

This hub structure ensures that even on the longest delivery routes, like the winding tracks out to Dayboro, food safety and consistency are never compromised.

The numbers

The sheer volume of care delivered by this network is staggering. In the Moreton Bay region alone, teams deliver over 180,000 meals annually.

When looking at the broader impact across Queensland, the scale is even more impressive:

• 3 Million: The approximate number of meals delivered statewide each year.

• 23,000: The number of clients supported across the state.

• 6,500: The dedicated army of volunteers who make this possible.

More than a meal: The wellbeing check

You might notice a fresh look on the delivery vans lately. While the iconic logo remains, the organisation is embracing a new brand positioning: Seasoned with Care.

"‘More than just a meal’ remains our core message," says Tim, Queensland Marketing Manager.

"‘Seasoned with Care’ is our brand positioning, it’s a reference to the nutritional food, but more importantly, to the care our volunteers show at the front door."

That care is often life-saving. Tim recalls a volunteer visiting 'Daisy,' a 94-year-old client, only to find she had been in distress overnight. Because of that front-door check, help was called immediately. It’s a welfare check that gives families peace of mind.

How to Help

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week (18–24 May), the call for local legends is louder than ever. Whether you have two hours a week or two hours a month, there is a place for you.

1. Become a Driver or Kitchen Helper The onboarding process is now self-paced and online via qmo.org. "We try to take the compliance and training weight off the local services so they can focus on their core purpose, delivering meals," says Kath, Senior Area Manager.

2. The ‘Gift a Book’ Campaign To mark the 70th anniversary, a commemorative book, 70 Years of Seasoned with Care, has been produced. "Not everyone has the time to volunteer," Tim notes. "But you can show appreciation by gifting a book for $25, which recognises the 6,500 volunteers who keep our community going."

As Rhoda Cameron proved 70 years ago, it only takes one kitchen and a bit of care to start a movement. In Moreton Bay, that movement is 180,000 meals strong, and it’s waiting for you.

You can register to become a volunteer with Meals on Wheels here. 

If you are looking for more ways to help your community, visit How to Help at https://www.howtohelp.au/