One millionth meal served by Murray Bridge Meals on Wheels

Since 1970, the volunteer agency has provided hot lunches to thousands of locals – but this one for Joyce Modra has marked a milestone.

Peri Strathearn

Jul 1, 2024 — 2 min read

Sandra Walding, centre, prepares to deliver the one millionth meal prepared for Murray Bridge Meals on Wheels by hospital staff members Trish Lipp, Kerry Maczkowiack, Christopher Herzich, Dot Ward, Eddie Hassell and Simone Harris. Photo: SA Health.

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A Murray Bridge resident has enjoyed a milestone meal this Monday.

Joyce Modra’s schnitzel and potato bake, with a chocolate brownie and custard for dessert, was the one millionth meal delivered by the local branch of Meals on Wheels.

Client services coordinator and citizen of the year Sandra Walding had the honour of making the delivery, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Andrew Baltensperger.

“It’s a wonderful service for us all,” Mrs Modra said.

“They always come and they’re always so happy and bright … they’re wonderful, wonderful people, all the volunteers.”

Without the service, she said, she would not get nearly so much nutrition through the week, as it had become more dangerous for her to handle boiling hot pots and pans as she had got older.

“To me it’s everything,” she said.

“For someone to come in and bring you your lunch like that, it doesn’t get any better.

“I always look forward to seeing what I’m getting for lunch, and it’s always a nice, pleasant surprise.”

Family member Elaine Modra said it was a relief to know that Mrs Modra was guaranteed a good meal, a laugh and a chat with someone each day.

Joyce Modra receives the milestone meal, accompanied by Elaine, Shania, Bradley, Amy and Nathan Modra. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Since 1970, Murray Bridge Meals on Wheels has delivered hot lunches to untold thousands of locals.

Those lunches have evolved over the years, from soup scooped out of a vat, to meals delivered on aluminium plates which had to be returned and washed the next day, to the present system of microwaveable containers.

Ten volunteers set out each day to pick up meals from the kitchen at Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and take them to more about 180 clients around the city, from White Hill to Avoca Dell and Northern Heights to Swanport.

“Nearly all the residents we deliver to are sitting there waiting,” Ms Walding said.

“One even has his knife and fork out, ready.”

Ms Walding also delivered the Murray Bridge branch’s 600,000th, 700,000th, 800,000th and 900,000th meals.