The Governor-General couldn’t make it after all to the Campbelltown Meals on Wheels 50th anniversary celebrations this morning.
As the patron of Meals on Wheels nationally, David Hurley and his wife Linda had accepted an invitation to drop in and help the Campbelltown chapter celebrate the milestone.
Unfortunately, their Excellencies could not make it, but it was a case of on with the show at the Ruse headquarters of Campbelltown Meals on Wheels.
President Gary West welcomed the mayor of Campbelltown, George Greiss, who proceeded to do the honours, including cutting the traditional ribbon to the premises, pictured at top.
In the absence of the G-G, the mayor performed some of the other official duties scheduled, including planting a tree in the community garden.
In his short speech, Mayor Greiss praised the volunteers who ensure Meals on Wheels can help as many people as possible in our community.
“Volunteers play a very important role in our community,’’ the mayor said.
“During the pandemic they became even more important for organisations such as Meals on Wheels that service the community,’’ he said.
Proceedings were started in the usual way and by now a very familiar face behind the smoke from the traditional pile of gum leaves: Campbelltown’s respected Aboriginal elder Uncle Ivan Wellington, pictured above.
As the smoke bent to the will of the wind, Uncle Ivan encouraged everyone to partake of the cleansing smoke as they walked inside to spacious premises.
Once the smoke settled and everyone was seated inside, the Meals on Wheels president invited the mayor to perform one more duty: hand out certificates to supporters such as Club Menangle and Wests Group Macarthur as well as some of the organisation’s long serving volunteers.
Cr Greiss was happy to oblige as one by one 14 volunteers who had been lending a hand for five years or more walked up to the front to receive their certificate and have their photo taken with the president and the mayor.
Joan McIntyre was then presented with her certificate for 12 years of service, before Sharon Mathers and Irene Beavan received certificates for more than 20 years of service to the community of Campbelltown via Meals on Wheels – to generous applause from the packed room. The two wonderful women are pictured above with the mayor and the president of Meals on Wheels.
