After dedicating half a century to delivering meals to Canterbury-Bankstown’s most vulnerable, 80-year-old Lynn Quinn has told of her most unusual encounter when knocking on a client’s door.
“One of my favourite stories, which really goes back to the old days, was a lovely old gentleman, but there was one very different thing about him…” Ms Quinn said.
“He was a nudist and he spent most of his time sunbaking!
“He always grabbed a newspaper and put it in front of him when we showed up with his meals,” she chuckled.
Serving meals with a smile since 1973, Ms Quinn has set a service record at the Bankstown Meals on Wheels and says she has no plans to slow down.
“I joined when I was secretary of the Sefton Ladies Club. There was a group of six of us who signed up and I’m the surviving one of those six,” Ms Quinn said.
“The original volunteer who introduced us to Meals on Wheels was here for 47 years.
“When I got to the 47 years, I said my ambition now is that I set the record of 50 years. And now that I’ve got here, I want to keep going as long as I can.”
Lynn was recognised for her dedication, alongside 15 other long-serving volunteers, at Canterbury-Bankstown’s Meals on Wheels annual award presentation.
In 2023 alone, Bankstown Meals on Wheels volunteers have delivered more than 38,000 meals to 145 recipients in CBCity.
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor, Bilal El-Hayek congratulated all the long-serving volunteers and commended them on their dedication to the community.
“I’ve been out with Meals on Wheels myself and know how hard many of our volunteers work,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
“They’re a lifeline to those that need it most and many will never know the incredible impact they have made on someone’s life.
“I’d like to encourage anyone looking to give back to roll up their sleeves and join our wonderful crew at Meals on Wheels.”
Ms Quinn said by volunteering “you will always get back more than you ever put in.”
To find out more about volunteering for Meals on Wheels, or accessing the service, visit cb.city/MealsOnWheels or call 9707 9646.
