FOI 5281 - Future Fit Program

FOI 5281 - Document 1

From: s47F
To: s47F (Sen M. Smith)
Cc: FAUL, Dmity; s47F
Subject: RE: ADVICE] Request for committee to suggest item for ANAO draft work program [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date: Wednesday, 27 March 2024 3:59:28 PM
Attachments: image002.png
image003.png
image004.png
image005.png
image006.jpg
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image001.png

Hi s47F

Thank you for your email.

s47C

Thanks
s47F

s47F
Adviser – Aged Care, Parliamentary & Caucus

Office of the Hon. Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care | Minister for Sport
Member for Lilley

M: s47F | E: s47F @health.gov.au

From: s47F (Sen M. Smith) s47F @aph.gov.au>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 3:40 PM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au>
Subject: [RE: ADVICE] Request for committee to suggest item for ANAO draft work program

REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Hi s47F

The meeting at which this was discussed has now closed. In the absence of advice, the letter has been noted.

s47C

The Committee will be writing back to ANAO tomorrow so would appreciate any direction on this at your earliest.

Thanks

s47F

Page 1 of 3

FOI 5281 - Document 1

^{}[]

Media & Communications Advisor

T (08) 8340 0444

E s47F @aph.gov.au

A T1/10 Park Terrace, Bowden SA 5007 | Kaurna Country

@SenatorMarielleSmith

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I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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From: s47F @aph.gov.au>

Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 1:35 PM

To: Smith, Marielle (Senator) <senator.marielle.smith@aph.gov.au>; s47F (Sen M. Smith)

s47F @aph.gov.au&gt;

Cc: s47F (Sen M. Smith) s47F @aph.gov.au&gt;; Community Affairs, Committee (SEN)

s47E(d) @aph.gov.au&gt;

Subject: FW: Request for committee to suggest item for ANAO draft work program

Good afternoon

As discussed with s47F the attached letter will be brought to the attention of the committee when it considers the ANAO work program.

The secretariat will bring copies of the letter to the meeting.

Thanks

s47F | Committee Secretary

Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs

Telephone 02 s47F | s47F

www.aph.gov.au/senate

I acknowledge the traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and pay my respect to the elders, past and present of all Australia's Indigenous peoples.

From: s47F (Sen J. Rice) s47F @aph.gov.au&gt;

Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 12:00 PM

To: s47F @aph.gov.au&gt;

Cc: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN) s47E(d) @aph.gov.au&gt;; s47F (Sen P. Allman-Payne) s47F @aph.gov.au&gt;; Smith, Marielle (Senator) <senator.marielle.smith@aph.gov.au>

Subject: Request for committee to suggest item for ANAO draft work program

Hi s47F

I hope your day is going well!

I believe last meeting Senator Rice raised with the committee her desire for the committee to suggest the ANAO add an audit of a Department of Health and Aged Care's contract with Miles Morgan Australia to deliver the Future Fit Program to their work agenda.</senator.marielle.smith@aph.gov.au></senator.marielle.smith@aph.gov.au>

FOI 5281 - Document 1

This morning Senator Rice sent the attached letter to the ANAO and we wanted to send this the committee for their consideration.

Kind regards,

s47F

s47F | Senior Policy and Parliamentary Advisor

Office of Senator Janet Rice

Australian Greens Senator for Victoria

Shops 2-3, 26 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, 3057. Ph: 03 9381 1446

Pronouns – She/Her

Email - s47F @aph.gov.au

Facebook - facebook.com/Janet.Rice.Greens

Twitter - @Janet_Rice

Instagram - @janetricegreens

http://greens.org.au/vic/person/janet-rice

The Office of Senator Janet Rice respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Country on which we work

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Aging

Page 3 of 3

FOI 5281 IC - Document 2

From: s47F (Sen J. Rice)
To: Minister Wells
Cc: s47F; Rice, Janet (Senator)
Subject: Confidential - Letter to Minister Wells re Miles Morgan Australia
Date: Monday, 20 November 2023 5:05:28 PM
Attachments: Letter to Minister Wells re Miles Morgan Australia .pdf

**REMINDER:** Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Minister,

Please find attached a letter from Senator Rice regarding Miles Morgan Australia.

Kind regards,
s47F

s47F | Senior Policy and Parliamentary Advisor
Office of Senator Janet Rice
Australian Greens Senator for Victoria
Shops 2-3, 26 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, 3057. Ph: 03 9381 1440
Pronouns – She/Her
Email - s47F @aph.gov.au
Facebook - facebook.com/Janet.Rice.Greens
Twitter - @Janet_Rice
Instagram - @janetricegreens
http://greens.org.au/vic/person/janet-rice

The Office of Senator Janet Rice respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Country on which we work

Page 1 of 1

SENATOR JANET RICE

Greens Senator for Victoria

FOI 5281 IC - Document 3

^{}[]

The Hon Anika Wells
Minister for Aged Care
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Via email: minister.wells@health.gov.au

ELECTORATE OFFICE
Shop 2-3, 26 Lygon St
Brunswick East VIC 3057
P: (03) 9381 1446

SENATE OFFICE
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
P: (02) 6277 3225

20th of November 2023

Dear Minister,

In confidence

I am writing to request an urgent meeting with you to discuss concerns regarding Miles Morgan Australia (MMA) and the Future Fit Program.

I greatly appreciated your team organising for me to meet officers from the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss the Future Fit Program.

However, due to the sensitive nature of my concerns, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss them with you directly.

Since raising my concerns at Supplementary Budget Estimates about MMA and the Future Fit Program, I have heard from a range of people both inside and outside of the Meals on Wheels network about the alleged unethical business practices of MMA.

Some of the most alarming issues that people have raised with me include:

- Questionable conduct whilst fulfilling Commonwealth contracts;
- Mishandling sensitive health data including personal government identifiers and,
- Threatening people involved with the Future Fit Program and Meals on Wheels with legal action if they seek to raise their concerns externally.

I understand that MMA's contract to deliver Future Fit is due to end on the 31st of December but that they are seeking an extension of their contract. The information presented to me leads me to strongly believe that would not be in the government or community's interests to re-contract MMA.

To organise a meeting please contact my diary manager, s47F , by emailing s47F @aph.gov.au or I can be contacted directly on s47F .

Yours sincerely,

(03) 9381 1446

senator.rice@aph.gov.au

janet.rice.greensmps.org.au

/janet.rice.greens

janet_rice

@ janetricegreens

SENATOR JANET RICE
Greens Senator for Victoria
FOI 5281 IC - Document 3

![img-0.jpeg](img-0.jpeg)

Janet

ELECTORATE OFFICE
Shop 2-3, 26 Lygon St
Brunswick East VIC 3057
P: (03) 9381 1446

SENATE OFFICE
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
P: (02) 6277 3225

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

(03) 9381 1446
senator.rice@aph.gov.au
janet-rice.greensmps.org.au
/janet.rice.greens
janet_rice
janetricegreens

FOI 5281 IC - Document 4

From: Lakshman Gunaratnam
To: Minister Wells
Cc: s47F ; s47F @aph.gov.au; s47F
Subject: Meeting request to discuss the Australian Care Worker Gateway
Date: Monday, 6 March 2023 3:24:42 PM
Attachments: image002.png
Australian Care Worker Gateway - Summary of MMA 2023-24 pre-Budget submission.pdf

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Dear Minister,

I hope the start of this sitting week finds you well.

Miles Morgan Australia (MMA) is pleased to be able to continue to support your reform work through our support of the active Meals on Wheels network. I look forward to the possibility of you attending the event being hosted by the Speaker on 22 March for the Meal on Wheels program your department funds, which was recently expanded under your term (Future Fit), and also the possibility of being able to support your announcement of the exciting developments in Victoria to keep social connection at the heart of CHSP meal delivery (in and around the Whitehorse LGA).

But today, I am writing to you about work we have been doing with the **s47G** and others resulting in a pre-Budget submission.

As you know, productivity in the care economy is difficult to achieve – one hour of care is one hour of care. And therefore, in order to continuously improve our economic performance, governments will need to invest in productivity improvements resulting from better care quality and care outcomes. Not only will capability improvements across care sectors be important for the economy, but equally (if not more importantly) these investments will improve the quality of life of individuals and the cohesion of communities.

With a focus on improving the quality of care, we have put together a proposal that will help government create a digitised licensing framework that allows care workers to securely share information – from police checks to qualifications – with their employers, government and recipients of care and their families. **We believe this work can help drive significant improvements and underpin a number of aged care workforce initiatives in an unprecedented way.**

By putting care workers at the centre (rather than the somewhat punitive worker registration schemes currently in place or in progress), and will provide:

- A response to 15 recommendations arising out of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
- A unique opportunity to facilitate multi-employer collective bargaining
- An opportunity to decentralise data holdings to the data owner, with world best practices for data privacy and consent
- An opportunity to better target training investment and support – maintaining common

FOI 5281 IC - Document 4

standards, reducing barriers for entry and mobility

- Increased transparency and accountability for the community and reduced administration and costs for employers and workers
- Better skills-job alignment, better career pathways and better pay – with a focus on workplace assessments that also serve to build the capability of service providers (employers) in how they engage and develop staff.

While initially focused on aged care workers (where the biggest capability gaps currently are), the Australian Care Worker Gateway will ultimately benefit, and providing savings across all care sectors. While work has recently commenced on the aged care worker registration scheme, this proposal will take what has been planned and take it into a modern era, for the benefit of workers and the community, not just the regulators.

MMA and our partners have invested $4.5 million in this project and we've made a pre-budget submission to Federal Treasury seeking Federal Government support of $6.3 million in the May 23/24 budget. This funding would develop a combined first and second pass business case outlining the value, importance and relevance, as well as the benefits, costs and risks involved with full implementation of the Gateway by 2025.

A summary of the proposal is attached, we are happy to share the larger pre-budget submission with you on request. If you would prefer a video summary, please head to: Australian Care Worker Gateway - Miles Morgan Australia

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal with the Minister, yourself or Nick and would make ourselves and key partners available at any time that is suitable.

I look forward to being able to connect with your office.

Yours sincerely,

Lakshman

Lakshman Gunaratnam

CEO

s47F

s47F @milesmorgan.co.nz

Page 2 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 6

From: Lakshman Gunaratnam
To: Minister Butler; Minister Wells
Cc: s11C ; s47F s47F @qmow.org; Macdonald Les
Subject: Briefing on the Meals on Wheels transformation initiative – FUTURE FIT
Date: Tuesday, 10 January 2023 5:36:25 PM
Attachments: image001.png
Introduction to FUTURE FIT 10-01-2023.pdf
Attachment 1_FUTURE FIT overview_January 2023.pdf
MOW active network stats_by federal electorate.xlsx

REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Ministers,

I am providing this letter and supplementary briefing materials on behalf of FUTURE FIT – a Meals on Wheels transformation initiative funded by your Department.

We would welcome the opportunity to provide any further information or assistance.

Kind regards
Lakshman
Lakshman Gunaratnam
CEO

s47F
s47F @milesmorgan.com.au

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Page 1 of 1

Meals on Wheels Queensland

FOI 526 NE - Document 7
Meals on Wheels
New South Wales

The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care

The Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care
Minister for Sport

10 January 2023

# Briefing on the Meals on Wheels transformation initiative – FUTURE FIT

Dear Minister Butler and Minister Wells,

As the CEOs of Meals on Wheels (MOW) Queensland and New South Wales we represent the largest network of active MOW service organisations in Australia.

We are writing to you to provide with an overview of the transformation initiative titled FUTURE FIT – confirming our commitment to achieving its goals.

As you would be aware, our respective state associations, together with individual Meals on Wheels services, are working with Miles Morgan Australia to deliver this once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the operations of Meals on Wheels.

This has been made possible by an investment of $7.5 million from your Department of Health and Aged Care, including an important extension of time and scope under the Albanese Government.

Miles Morgan Australia has developed, for your reference, a summary of the landscape in which we are delivering FUTURE FIT (Attachment 1).

At its core, FUTURE FIT:

- Captures a picture of the active Meals on Wheels network, identifying the challenges and opportunities for individual services, including electorate data on the number of volunteers, meals provided and people we feed each year, provided with this correspondence
- Creates a tool kit of resources to inform business and operational decisions
- Improves network infrastructure, providing better people, process and technology support
- Builds relationships across the network to leverage the brand, purchasing power and reach of the Meals on Wheels network
- Showcases reforms and providing a platform for change.

Collectively we are building an environment to better support older Australians, so that they can continue to receive high-frequency social connection – the essence of community-based care.

Meals on Wheels Queensland and New South Wales are committed to ensuring our network becomes a transformation exemplar, in preparation for the new in-home care program in 2024.

Future Fit
Page 1 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 7

FUTURE FIT creates opportunities for our members to work collaboratively with like-minded organisations such as Lite n'Easy – creating values-based partnerships in preparation for broader reforms to the service system. The Deputy Speaker, Ms Sharon Claydon MP was invited to attend an event in Newcastle just before Christmas that speaks to the value of these prospective partnerships.

With the re-establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels, we will work with the group's co-convenor Mr Steve Georganas MP to ensure local representatives are well positioned to celebrate key milestones with their local service organisations over the next 12 months, and beyond.

On matters relating to FUTURE FIT, we will continue to work closely with your Department and look forward to providing your office with any supplementary briefings on progress and milestones.

We know the Albanese Government will always look to support the vital work Meals on Wheels volunteers do in our communities every day.

Our members would welcome an opportunity to host you both, or any member of Albanese Government, at any time to discuss FUTURE FIT.

We look forward to showcasing our progress over the coming months.

Yours sincerely,

s47F

Evan Hill
CEO
QLD Meals on Wheels

s47F

Les MacDonald
CEO
NSW Meals on Wheels

s47F

Lakshman Gunaratnam
CEO
Miles Morgan Australia

Copy to: Ms Sharon Claydon MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member for Newcastle and Mr Steve Georganas MP, Member for Adelaide

Future Fit
Page 2 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 9

## About the data

Meal data provided for the 2020-21 financial year.

Data was self-reported by Meals on Wheels (MOW) contract holders as part of a Finance and Operations Stocktake (the Stocktake) conducted as part of the FUTURE FIT Initiative.

Data was collected from 21 February 2022 to 14 July 2022.

Data has been cleaned to exclude responses from any contract holder that completed less than 10% of questions. Partial completions greater than 10% of the questions have been included.

Only electorates where MOW services responded to the Stocktake have been included.

Page 1 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 9

|  Subgroup | Total number of Isolates | Age (year) (mean) | Resistant (year) (mean) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year) | First Grade (min/year)  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  Bathurst | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Banks | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 125.00 | 83.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Baker | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 96.00 | 70.00 | 36.00 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bain | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 15.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bain | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 15.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bain | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 15.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Barrington | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Barrington | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bair | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 15.00 | 60.00 | 2.727 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bayton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 16.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bayton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 16.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bayton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 16.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bayton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 16.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |
|  Bayton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 16.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00  |

FOI 5281 IC - Document 10

# s22

Subject: Free

Start: Thu 19/12/2024 5:30 PM

End: Thu 19/12/2024 5:30 PM

Recurrence: (none)

Organizer: s47F

From: Minister Wells

Sent: Wednesday, 8 March 2023 12:45 PM

To: s47F @milesmorgan.com.au | s47F @milesmorgan.com.au

Cc: s47F @Health.gov.au

Subject: DROP IN - NO SPEAKING/FORMAL ROLE | Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels – first meeting of the 47th Parliament [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Dear Mr Gunaratnam

Thank you for the correspondence with invitation extended to Minister Wells to attend the Future Fit Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels event being held on Wednesday 22 March 2023 from 11am – 11.45am.

Minister Wells will be happy to drop in during that period but does not want a speaking or any formal role. Please do not include the Minister in the formal program.

Once the program is finalised, can you please send me a copy for the Minister’s information. She looks forward to dropping in around her commitments on the day.

Kind regards

s47F

# Executive Assistant / Diary Manager to the Minister

Office of the Hon Anika Wells MP

Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport

Member for Lilley

P: 02 811C | E: Minister.Wells@health.gov.au

Ministerial Office: Suite M1.51 | PO Box 6022

Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

From: Lakshman Gunaratnam s47F @milesmorgan.com.au&gt;

Sent: Wednesday, 15 February 2023 4:15 PM

To: Minister Wells <minister.wells@health.gov.au>

Cc: s47F @Health.gov.au; s47F @aph.gov.au; s47F @Health.gov.au

Subject: ENTERED | Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels – first meeting of the 47th Parliament

Dear Minister Wells,

I am writing on behalf of the members of the FUTURE FIT Portfolio Board – a Meals on Wheels transformation initiative funded by your Department.

Page 1 of 2</minister.wells@health.gov.au>

FOI 5281 IC - Document 10

I have attached information relating to the first meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels group.

Please let me know if we can be of further assistance.

Kind regards

Lakshman

Lakshman Gunaratnam

CEO

s47F

s47F @milesmorgan.com.au

☐

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Page 2 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 11

From: s47F
To: s47F
Cc: s47F
Subject: RE: FYI ONLY | Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date: Thursday, 8 December 2022 5:33:52 PM
Attachments: image002.png
image003.png

Thanks! I'll go to any events if they pop up.

s47F
Adviser – Digital Communications and Aged Care

Office of the Hon. Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care | Minister for Sport
Member for Lilley

M: s47F | E s47F @health.gov.au

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately and delete all copies of this transmission."

From: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Sent: Thursday, 8 December 2022 4:09 PM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;; s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Cc: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: FYI ONLY | Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Apols if you already aware, I don't check my APH as frequently as I'd like!

NB this Parl Friends group relevant to our portfolio.

s47F

From: s47F (A. Wells, MP) s47F @aph.gov.au&gt;
Sent: Thursday, 8 December 2022 3:57 PM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: FW: Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels

s47F

From: s47F (S. Georganas, MP) s47F @aph.gov.au&gt;

FOI 5281 IC - Document 11

Sent: Wednesday, 23 November 2022 8:33 AM

To: REPS-Members(REPS) s47E(d) @aph.gov.au; REPS-Memstaff (REPS) s47E(d) @aph.gov.au; SEN-Senators (SEN) s47E(d) @aph.gov.au; SEN-Senstaff (SEN) s47E(d) @aph.gov.au

Cc: s47F (S. Georganas, MP) s47F @aph.gov.au; s47F @aph.gov.au

Subject: Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels

Dear Senators and Members

Mark Coulton MP and Steve Georganas MP warmly invite you to join the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels.

The purpose of this friendship group is to raise awareness and recognise the vital work Meals on Wheels volunteers do in our communities every day. This work is more than just delivering healthy and nutritious meals, it includes high-frequency contact with our most vulnerable citizens, safeguarding our communities from the significant health impacts of social isolation and loneliness.

For around 60 years, Meals on Wheels has delivered food and friendship to older Australians and those in need.

At last count, more than 7 million meals are delivered by more than 23,000 registered volunteers to 90,000 people each year in NSW, QLD, SA and TAS alone.

Meals on Wheels has embarked on an ambitious reform project called FUTURE FIT, to help stabilise and transform its service network in preparation for the new in-home aged care program.

If you would like to join or have any inquiries, please respond via email to steve.georganas.MP@aph.gov.au or mark.coulton.MP@aph.gov.au

Kind regards

Steve Georganas MP
Member for Adelaide
(Co-Chair)

Mark Coulton MP
Member for Parkes
(Co-Chair)

s47F
Office of Steve Georganas MP | Federal Member for Adelaide
161 Main North Road
NAILSWORTH SA 5083
T: 08 8269 2433 / E: s47F @aph.gov.au

Page 2 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 12

From: Lakshman Gunaratnam
To: s47F
Subject: Meals on Wheels and Sharyn Claydon
Date: Tuesday, 20 December 2022 1:57:35 PM
Attachments: image001.png
1756559459_20231220.pdf

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Hi s47F

I hope you're well and looking forward to a well-deserved break!

Yesterday Miles Morgan Australia (MMA) organised an event with Sharon Claydon MP, the Meals on Wheels Newcastle branch and Lite N' Easy.

The event highlighted a Lite N' Easy donation to Melas on Wheels Newcastle of 500 meals for Christmas and was covered by the Newcastle Herald, article attached.

We're happy to organise a similar event for Minister Wells next year.

Steve Georganas MP has also recorded a message of support for the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels group, viewable here, in his role as co-chair.

Mr Georganas mentioned MMA's work, Future Fit, to modernise the operations of Meals on Wheels as part of the new in-home care program.

I'd be grateful if Minister Wells could consider recording a similar message if the schedule permits and consider being involved in the launch event of the group when Parliament resumes in February.

Grateful for your time, thank you.

Kind regards
Lakshman
Lakshman Gunaratnam
CEO

s47F
s47F @milesmorgan.com.au

Page 1 of 1

isentia

AUTHOR: Helen Gregory SECTION: GENERAL NEWS ARTICLE TYPE: NEWS ITEM AUDIENCE: 33,000 PAGE: 6 PRINTED SIZE: 496.00cm² REGION: NSW MARKET: Australia ASR: AUD 1,391 WORDS: 397 ITEM ID: 1756559459

20 DEC, 2022

Donated meals spread joy

Newcastle Herald, Newcastle

# Donated meals spread joy

BY HELEN GREGORY

FOR SISTER Maureen Rigby, her three Newcastle Meals on Wheels deliveries each week are more than lunches, dinners and desserts. They're also about connection.

"I find they're very respectful and personally interested in you," Sister Rigby said. "They want to bring the meals right inside and even put them in the fridge for you if you need that. They're very busy too, I admire them. It's volunteer work and they're so committed to their work and delivery to people. It saves us going down the street a lot to buy veggies... I just find them great men, they really are." She said clients also received small gifts on their birthdays, Easter and Christmas.

Donald McGregor has been volunteering with the Hamilton branch for 10 years and encouraged friends to join him. "I get a lot of self satisfaction giving back to the community," said Mr McGregor, who delivers meals to Waratah on Monday and Hamilton South and parts of Merewether and Adamstown on Friday. "Some

of our clients lead very lonely lives and some days we're the only people that they see. There's always a smile on their face at the door when you arrive with the meals and over the years you form a close relationship with them. We're all on first name terms

and [we] really watch out for each other. The volunteers are a great bunch of people and you make a lot of friends, which is a bonus."

Mr McGregor delivered to Sister Rigby her regular order on Monday, as well as a Lite n' Easy traditional Christmas

dinner meal. Lite n' Easy donated 500 of the dinners for Meals on Wheels Newcastle clients. The two organisations recently formed a partnership, which Meals on Wheels Newcastle general manager Damien Isaacs said would improve "choice and

range" for clients. "This part of the population is growing and growing rapidly, and being able to do that work efficiently and economically is going to be the biggest challenge moving forward. It doesn't mean in any way that Meals on Wheels stops cooking it means we are all working together to provide what is needed... by not competing we're putting our energy into the same goal."

The Meals on Wheels network is working with Miles Morgan Australia to modernise its operations.

Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

isentia

AUTHOR: Helen Gregory SECTION: GENERAL NEWS ARTICLE TYPE: NEWS ITEM AUDIENCE: 33,000
PAGE: 6 PRINTED SIZE: 496.00cm² REGION: NSW MARKET: Australia ASR: AUD 1,391 WORDS: 397
ITEM ID: 1756559459

20 DEC, 2022

Donated meals spread joy

Newcastle Herald, Newcastle

Page 2 of 2

![img-1.jpeg](img-1.jpeg)

![img-2.jpeg](img-2.jpeg)
Donald McGregor, Sharon Claydon, Sister Maureen Rigby and Lite h, Easy chief executive Dennis Stark.

This document has been produced by the Department of Health, and is not to be disclosed to any other person or entity. The document is not to be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, except as provided in the original document.

Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

Page 2 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 14

From: s47F
To: s47F  s47F  s47F  s47F
Subject: FW: Meals on Wheels Australia - Meeting with Minister Wells [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date: Tuesday, 19 March 2024 3:29:23 PM
Attachments: image002.png

Hello

As flagged, Dimity and I are meeting with Paul on Thursday this week. He wishes to discuss the following:

- The creation of the Support at Home Program and our evaluation of the benefits and risks the new program brings.
- Our feedback on the exposure draft of the Bill for a new Aged Care Act.
- The plans for future reform of Meals on Wheels services in light of the conclusion of the Future Fit program.

From: Paul Sadler s47F@mealsonwheels.org.au&gt;
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 9:37 AM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: Re: Meals on Wheels Australia - Meeting with Minister Wells [SEC=OFFICIAL]
s47F

Unfortunately, that time clashes with the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels meeting (which runs from 11am-12.30pm). Can you make it 12.45pm? I'm available from 9.00-10.30am and 12.45-3.15pm.

Paul Sadler
Chair
Meals on Wheels™ Australia
m: s47F
e: s47F@mealsonwheels.org.au
w: mealsonwheels.org.au
signature_1033896897

Submitted on Wed, 2024-03-06 17:02
Submitted by: Anonymous

Submitted values are:
Title: Mr
Given name: Paul
Family name: Sadler
Email: s47F@mealsonwheels.org.au
Phone: s47F
Street address: c/-s11G
City/Suburb: Hornsby
State: New South Wales
Postcode: 2077
Organisation: Meals on Wheels Australia

Page 1 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 14

Minister name: The Hon Anika Wells

Enquiry subject: Meeting with Meals on Wheels Australia

Details of your enquiry/comments:

I and other members of the Board of Meals on Wheels Australia will be at Parliament House, Canberra on Thursday 21 March for a meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels. That function runs from 11am to 1pm. We hope to see the Minister at the function.

The purpose of this communication is to ask for a meeting with the Minister either in the couple of hours before our function, or alternatively in the couple of hours after it.

We would like to introduce ourselves to the Minister and briefly discuss the following topics:

- The creation of the Support at Home Program and our evaluation of the benefits and risks the new program brings.
- Our feedback on the exposure draft of the Bill for a new Aged Care Act.
- The plans for future reform of Meals on Wheels services in light of the conclusion of the Future Fit program.

Thank you for considering our request.

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Page 2 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 15

# s22

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and is subject to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

From: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;

Sent: Friday, 9 December 2022 12:35 PM

To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;

Subject: RE: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Hi, sorry to again be a pain, the Meals on Wheels and Miles Morgan Australia team have asked if it's possible to have a written message endorsed from Minister Butler.

This is for the Future Fit project, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, to prepare the Meals on Wheels network for Federal Government's new in-home aged care program.

The message would appear on the Future Fit website (currently being updated) where Meals on Wheels branches/members go for updates on how the development of Future Fit is progressing.

A draft is attached, I know I'm being a real pain so grateful for your time, sorry!

Page 1 of 6

FOI 5281 IC - Document 15

```markdown
s47F
M s47F
s47F | SEC Newgate

From: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Sent: Friday, 9 December 2022 11:45 AM
To: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Sorry I never hit send on my txt response!

We're not going to be able to find time to record, apologies.

From: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Sent: Friday, 9 December 2022 11:26 AM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: FW: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Hi again, I hope you're well!

I'm really sorry to hassle about this, I know it's busy!

Do you think the Minister will be happy to record a message?

If not, all good.

Thanks again for your help

s47F
M s47F
s47F | SEC Newgate

From: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Sent: Tuesday, 22 November 2022 1:50 PM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Hi again s47F thank you for your time with these requests!

Please find attached a note with background and a draft script for consideration, any questions please let me know.

Appendix A also has fast facts from a survey of Meals on Wheels members earlier this year.

Page 2 of 6

FOI 5281 IC - Document 15

This was the first part of Future Fit, gaining insights into the network operations, next year these insights will inform the digital transformation work.

I should also note Steve Georganas and Mark Coulton have agreed to re-start the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels group, I think they're sending out an email this week to MPs and Senators to recruit members.

Thank you again for your help, completely understand if a message isn't possible but would be grateful for anything the Minister and you can do.

Thanks!

![img-3.jpeg](img-3.jpeg)

From: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Sent: Tuesday, 22 November 2022 11:19 AM
To: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Yep happy for you to send through words and we'll see what we can do

From: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Sent: Tuesday, 22 November 2022 11:17 AM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Hi s47F thanks for your reply, completely understand! Would it please be possible for the Minister to either record a short video message or endorse a message in support of the Future Fit rollout?

That's the program funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care to modernise Meals on Wheels technology, helping them prepare for the new in-home aged care program.

We can draft words for consideration if possible?

Thank you

Page 3 of 6

FOI 5281 IC - Document 15

```markdown
s47F
| SEC Newgate
s47F
M s47F
P 03 9611 1800
www.secnewgate.com.au

Level 10, 120 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

The contents of the e-mail and any transmitted files are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. SEC Newgate Australia Pty Limited and its subsidiary companies hereby exclude any warranty and any liability as to the quality or accuracy of the contents of this email and any attached transmitted files. If you are not the intended recipient be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify email@secnewgate.com.au. Further details about SEC Newgate Australia Pty Limited and its subsidiary companies including SEC Newgate Research can be found at http://www.secnewgate.com.au

From: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Sent: Tuesday, 22 November 2022 11:10 AM
To: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler [SEC+UNOFFICIAL]

Hi Andy,

Apologies the Minister’s diary is exhausted and he won’t be able to attend one of those MoW.

We’re hoping to organise a visit to a local MoW in Adelaide but we can arrange directly with them.

Thanks for thinking of us.

s47F
Press Secretary
Office of the Hon Mark Butler
Minister for Health and Aged Care
M: s47F
E: s47F @health.gov.au
PO Box 6022, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

From: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Sent: Friday, 11 November 2022 2:00 PM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Meals on Wheels visit for Minister Butler
```

Page 4 of 6

FOI 5281 IC - Document 15

REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Hi s47F I hope you're well! Thank you for your time with this.

In my role at registered lobbyist SEC Newgate, a client is Miles Morgan Australia who are responsible for delivering a $8.5 million digital transformation project for Meals on Wheels, funded by the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care.

Please find attached a note with a visit pitch for Minister Butler to visit a large Meals on Wheels site before Christmas, including the biggest/best sites for a potential visit.

These are all in the eastern states, Brisbane South is the largest and closest to a major airport.

Purpose would be for the Minister to join volunteers preparing meals, thank them for their work, potentially join them on deliveries that provide social connection to reduce isolation and loneliness and talk about the federally funded Future Fit transformation project for Meals on Wheels

Future Fit aims to digitise administration for Meals on Wheels, so volunteers have more time for meal prep/delivery/social connection than paperwork.

If possible, we'd love to have a message from the Minister (either signed or video) talking about the importance of Future Fit, if this is possible we can draft a script.

I appreciate the Minister has a very busy schedule so we would be flexible to accommodate his diary.

Grateful for your advice, thank you

s47F
s47F
M s47F
P 03 9611 1800
www.secnewgate.com.au
| SEC Newgate

Level 10, 120 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

![img-4.jpeg](img-4.jpeg)

FOI 5281 IC - Document 15

72

73

The contents of the e-mail and any transmitted files are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. SEC Newgate Australia Pty Limited and its subsidiary companies hereby exclude any warranty and any liability as to the quality or accuracy of the contents of this email and any attached transmitted files. If you are not the intended recipient be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify email@secnewgate.com.au. Further details about SEC Newgate Australia Pty Limited and its subsidiary companies including SEC Newgate Research can be found at http://www.secnewgate.com.au

This document has been released under the Department of Information Act 1962. It is a version of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Page 6 of 6

FOI 5281 IC - Document 16

MA

MILES MORGAN

A U S T R A L I A

As the Minister for Health and Aged Care, I'm a strong supporter of the iconic Australian Meals on Wheels organisations who have delivered food and friendship to older Australians for more than 60 years.

None of this could be achieved without the wonderful work of Meals on Wheels volunteers, helping their communities every week.

At last count, more than 7 million meals are delivered by more than 23,000 registered volunteers to 90,000 people each year in NSW, QLD, SA and TAS alone.

This 'stocktake' marks the beginning of an ambitious reform project called Future Fit - funded by the Federal Government.

The objective of Future Fit is to make sure Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers spend less time on administration and paperwork.

And more time doing what they do best, helping people.

All Australians know Meals on Wheels is more than delivering healthy and nutritious meals.

Your regular contact with our most vulnerable citizens that safeguards our communities from social isolation and loneliness.

Helping keep older Australians healthy and happy in their own homes for longer.

I thank you for your work and look forward to another 60 years, at least, of helping our community.

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act, signed by the Department of Health, Disability and Asylity.

Page 1 of 1

FOI 5281 IC - Document 17

From: s47F
To: s47F | s47F
Subject: FW: Newcastle Meals on Wheels &amp; Future Fit Feasibility Study - Meeting Request Thursday 21 March 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date: Monday, 18 March 2024 2:19:44 PM
Attachments: image001.png

FYI

I will set up a meeting with Briony next week. Did either you want to attend?

From: Board - Briony Mitchell s47F @mow.net.au&gt;
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2024 1:30 PM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Cc: s47F @mow.net.au&gt;; Invites.Wells s47E(d) @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: Re: Newcastle Meals on Wheels &amp; Future Fit Feasibility Study - Meeting Request Thursday 21 March 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Dear s47F

Thank you for your replay.

We would greatly appreciate some time with Minister Wells. We would be happy meet online as we are located in Newcastle NSW. I would be available on 25th, 26th or 27th March or 4th or 5th April between 9.30am – 2.30pm. if none of these are convenient please let me know and I can provide some more times. Alternatively if you wish to arrange a time over the phone my number is s11C

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Briony Mitchell
Chair
Newcastle Meals on Wheels

From: Invites.Wells s47E(d) @Health.gov.au&gt;
Date: Monday, 18 March 2024 at 1:18 pm
To: Board - Briony Mitchell s47F @mow.net.au&gt;
Cc: s47F @mow.net.au&gt;, s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Newcastle Meals on Wheels &amp; Future Fit Feasibility Study - Meeting Request Thursday 21 March 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Good afternoon,

On behalf of Hon. Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care, Minister for Sport and Federal Member for Lilley, thank you for requesting a meeting.

Unfortunately Minister Wells is unable to meet this week and sends her apologies. Pending their

Page 1 of 3

FOI 5281 IC - Document 17

availability, Minister Wells' advisors would be happy to meet with you.

Please reach out to s47F (cc'd), directly to organise a mutually convenient time for you to meet with her and another advisor.

Kind regards,

s47F

Executive Assistant

Office of the Hon Anika Wells MP

Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport

Member for Lilley

Good afternoon Minister Wells,

I am writing on behalf of the Board of Newcastle Meals on Wheels (NMOW) in New South Wales to request a time to meet with you to discuss the inherent value of our service to our community, the remarkable work and commitment of our staff and volunteers, and some of the current opportunities and challenges we are facing in the organisation.

NMOW has been providing services to the community since 1963 with 9 branches locally, and one in Whitehorse, Victoria. We specialise in meal preparation and delivery for people aged 65+ (ATSI 50+) and their carers who are in receipt of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), people with a Home Care Package (HCP), and individuals with relevant National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding. We also provide a service to full fee paying (non means tested) private clients and Clients distribute to other organisations.

But we are more than just than a meal delivery service. Meals are delivered by our volunteers who check in on our client's wellbeing and never just leave an esky by the door. We also offer a range of individual, small group and centre-based programs focusing on the health and wellbeing of our clients and reducing social isolation.

More information on who we are and our services can be found online at www.mow.net.au

We have had ongoing support from the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care and hope to maintain our positive working relationship into the future. I will be in Canberra, with fellow Board member and NMOW Secretary Cathy Doyle, at the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels event on Thursday 21st March 2024 from 11am -1pm at Parliament House. I would greatly appreciate it if there is a possibility to meet with you in person either before or after this event. I do understand the nature of your role and how valuable your time is so if this is not possible I would be happy to make myself available online at another time.

We would like to discuss with you the servicing of Whitehorse Meals on Wheels in Victoria and also our participation in the Future Fit feasibility study as both these items are of importance to not only NMOW but also the brand more broadly. I am seeking your guidance and advice on moving forwards and ensuring the future sustainability of the organisation and service continuity

Page 2 of 3

FOI 5281 IC - Document 17

for our clients.

If you have any questions regarding this request please feel to contact me directly on s47F
or at s47F @mow.net.au. I look forward to receiving your response.

Your sincerely,

Briony Mitchell
Chair
Newcastle Meals on Wheels

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately and delete all copies of this transmission."

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Aging

Page 3 of 3

FOI 5281 IC - Document 18

From: Lakshman Gunaratnam
To: s47F
Subject: Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels
Date: Friday, 25 November 2022 12:19:10 PM
Attachments: image001.png
Draft Email - PFG Meals on Wheels.docx

**REMINDER:** Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear s47F

Thank you for your time.

As discussed, Miles Morgan Australia (MMA) have been working with Steve Georganas MP to restart the Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels, a copy of the email circulated this week is attached.

MMA is working with Meals on Wheels to deliver the reform project called FUTURE FIT, to help stabilise and transform its service network in preparation for the new in-home aged care program.

This is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care and we’re also completing a study for the Department, with meals provider Lite n’ Easy, to quantify the importance of good nutritious food to support older Australians stay in their own home longer.

Mr Georganas’ office advise us they’ve already had over the required 10 responses of MPs and Senators so will formally register the group next week.

We’re planning a launch event for early next year, subject to the 2023 sitting calendar, we’re keen to involve Minister Wells to support your good work for in-home aged care.

I know you’re busy with parliament next week, but after that I would be grateful if you had time to for a Teams meeting or meet in-person to discuss how we can involve Minister Wells.

I travel to Melbourne and Canberra regularly so can fit around your schedule.

Thank you and look forward to hearing from you

Kind regards
Lakshman
Lakshman Gunaratnam
CEO

s47F
s47F @milesmorgan.com.au

Page 1 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 18

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Page 2 of 2

FOI 5281 IC - Document 19

Dear Senators and Members

Mark Coulton MP and Steve Georganas MP warmly invite you to join the *Parliamentary Friends of Meals on Wheels*.

The purpose of this friendship group is to raise awareness and recognise the vital work Meals on Wheels volunteers do in our communities every day. This work is more than just delivering healthy and nutritious meals, it includes high-frequency contact with our most vulnerable citizens, safeguarding our communities from the significant health impacts of social isolation and loneliness.

For around 60 years, Meals on Wheels has delivered food and friendship to older Australians and those in need.

At last count, more than 7 million meals are delivered by more than 23,000 registered volunteers to 90,000 people each year in NSW, QLD, SA and TAS alone.

Meals on Wheels has embarked on an ambitious reform project called FUTURE FIT, to help stabilise and transform its service network in preparation for the new in-home aged care program.

If you would like to join or have any inquiries, please respond via email to steve.georganas.MP@aph.gov.au or mark.coulton.MP@aph.gov.au

Kind regards

Steve Georganas MP
Member for Adelaide (Co-Chair)

Mark Coulton MP
Member for Parkes (Co-Chair)

Page 1 of 1

FOI 5281 IC - Document 20

From: s47F
To: Lakshman Gunaratnam
Cc: s47F ; Minister Wells
Subject: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT | Update on Whitehorse Meals on Wheels
Date: Sunday, 16 July 2023 8:37:00 AM
Attachments: Whitehorse Meals on Wheels Correspondence to Minister Wells.pdf
image002.png
image003.png

Dear Mr Gunaratnam

Thank you for your correspondence and open invitation to visit Whitehorse if there is a future opportunity.

We will keep that offer on file and be in touch if a visit is possible.

Kindest regards

s47F
s47F

Executive Assistant / Diary Manager to the Minister

Office of the Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport
Member for Lilley
P: 02 s11C
E: s47F @health.gov.au
Ministerial Office: Suite M1.51 | PO Box 6022
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present.

From: Lakshman Gunaratnam s47F @milesmorgan.com.au&gt;
Sent: Thursday, 13 July 2023 7:40 AM
To: Minister Wells <minister.wells@health.gov.au>
Cc: s47F @Health.gov.au; s47F
s47F @Health.gov.au&gt;

Subject: Update on Whitehorse Meals on Wheels

Dear Minister,

Please find attached correspondence regarding the successful launch and rollout of Whitehorse Meals on Wheels, under the Future Fit program. A very big thank you to you and your office for providing a supportive quote for the launch media release.

We'd like to extend a standing invitation to you to visit the Whitehorse service to meet our team and join a meal delivery if time permits.

We can organise an event in Chisholm, within Whitehorse, at short notice to suit your schedule.

Many thanks

Lakshman
Lakshman Gunaratnam
CEO

s47F
s47F @milesmorgan.com.au</minister.wells@health.gov.au>

WHITEHORSE MAALS ON WHEELS

FOI 5281 IC - Document 21
Nunawading Community Hub
96-106 Springvale Rd, Nunawading
VIC 3131 Australia
ABN: 59 349 207 123

Wednesday, 12 July 2023

Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care
Minister for Sport
Member for Lilley

By email: minister.wells@health.gov.au

Dear Minister,

I write to update you on the successful launch and rollout of Whitehorse Meals on Wheels, under the Future Fit program.

As you know, we hosted a launch event for the new service on Saturday 1 July with more than 150 local residents joining us and we thank you for your supportive quotes about the service.

We were honoured to have a Welcome to Country from Uncle Colin 'Col' Hunter Jnr, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Co-op and a traditional Chinese erhú musical piece from local performer Sam Xu.

All three levels of Government were represented, with Future Fit and the Whitehorse service all received strong support from these elected members which you can see on the included handout.

To help achieve our ambitious goal of delivering 85,000 meals this financial year, up from 50,000, we're pleased to inform you we have three meal providers onboard, Lite 'n' Easy, Live Life Foods and Textured Concept Foods.

The new providers were selected after blind tasting sessions for residents and will be offering many of the same healthy meals currently enjoyed by our older Australians. They'll also be expanding the choice of new meals at more affordable prices, with average meal costs up to $3.95 cheaper than current prices.

We have received only positive feedback from older Australians who say they appreciate having more choice and maintaining the valuable social connection from in-person deliveries and conversations.

We know volunteers are the lifeblood of Meals on Wheels services, that's why we're proud to say we've retained and recruited 40 volunteers and we're continuing targeted social media campaigns and direct engagement strategies to recruit even more.

We've also employed a dedicated Mandarin-speaking staff member who will focus on engagement with the Chinese-Australian community, who comprise 26.2% of the Whitehorse population but feel they haven't been included or represented until now.

03 9017 3881
whitehorse@mow.net.au
www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse

FOI 5281 IC - Document 21

We'd also like to offer you a standing invitation to join our volunteers to see our work first-hand. We know you're busy so we can offer these events that can be organised on short notice:

- Volunteer meet and greet at the Nunawading Community Hub
- Meal taste test hosted at the Nunawading Community Hub
- Join a meal delivery route with volunteers to welcome older Australians to the new service

For planning purposes, the Nunawading Community Hub is located 30 minutes to the east of the Melbourne CBD and 45 minutes from Melbourne Airport.

For more information about our work in Whitehorse or to arrange a visit, please feel free for you or your office to contact me on s47F @milesmorgan.com.au or s47F .

Kind regards,

Lakshman Gunaratnam
Future Fit Program Sponsor

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Aging

Page 2 of 4

WHITEHORSE MEALS ON WHEELS LAUNCH

DRIVEN BY FUTURE FIT

FOI 5281 (C) - Document 21

WHITEHORSE

MEALS ON

WHEELS

# Hon Anika Wells MP, Federal Minister for Aged Care and Sport

The Albanese Government's Future Fit program will help deliver more nutritious meals to older Australians in Whitehorse and is a step towards improving the viability and capability of the Meals on Wheels network nationwide.

Anika Wells MP @AnikaWells - Jul 1

Meals on Wheels is about more than just food - it's about social connection.

With the support of the @healthgovau funded Future Fit program, the new Whitehorse Meals on Wheels officially launched today!

![img-5.jpeg](img-5.jpeg)

Anika Wells MP @AnikaWells - Jul 1

Replying to @AnikaWells

Find out more here:

mowfuturefit.com.au

Whitehorse Meals on Wheels Announcement — FUTURE FIT

Anika Wells MP @AnikaWells

Meals on Wheels is about more than just food - it's about social connection.

With the support of the @healthgovau funded Future Fit program, the new Whitehorse Meals on Wheels officially launched today!

# Hon Michael Sukkar MP, Shadow Minister for Social Services, Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Federal Member for Deakin (Liberal)

Meals on Wheels driven by Future Fit. A program put in place by the former government and credit to the new government taken on by them as well.

Michael Sukkar MP - Member for Deakin

Great to be a part of the launch for the new Whitehorse Meals on Wheels, an integral volunteer based service for our local seniors.

![img-6.jpeg](img-6.jpeg)

Page 3 of 4

WHITEHORSE MEALS ON WHEELS LAUNCH

DRIVEN BY FUTURE FIT

FOI 5281 (C) Document 21 WHITEHORSE MEALS ON WHEELS

# Mr Will Fowles MP, State Member for Ringwood

The Future Fit program brought on by the previous government has been continued by this government for the very simple reason that it's taking the program and it's doing good things. It's absolutely fantastic that the Federal Government's Future Fit program, which includes a $7.5 million dollar investment to stabilise and to modernise the Meals on Wheels Network.

![img-7.jpeg](img-7.jpeg)

Remember, #MealsonWheels is more than just food delivery. Dedicated local volunteers take the time to chat with our seniors, reducing feelings of isolation and empowering them to live independently.

Meals on Wheels offers a diverse range of nutritious meals, giving our ulcer Australians more dietary choices. This not only enhances their health but also contributes to their overall wellbeing.

Here's to a healthier, happier, and more connected community!

#CommunityService #HealthyLiving #SeniorCare

![img-8.jpeg](img-8.jpeg)

# Cr Prue Cutts, Deputy Mayor, Whitehorse Council

We are so lucky here at Whitehorse that we were one of only two LGAs in Victoria chosen for this particular pilot program.

Cr Prue Cutts - Deputy Mayor, Whitehorse Council
Follow
23 h

LAUNCH OF NEW WHITEHORSE MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE

It was great to launch the new Whitehorse Meals on Wheels service on Saturday at the beautiful Nunawading Community Hub.

The program will provide 85,000 meals annually in Whitehorse for our 300 most vulnerable citizens.

The community celebration on Saturday brought together MCW clients, volunteers, the three newly selected meals providers, Live Life Funder, Lite n' Easy and Textured Concepts, Newcastle Meals on Wheels, who will auspice the program under the re-branded Whitehorse Meals on Wheels logo, representatives from Miles Morgan Australia and the FutureFit program which has enabled this pilot program, together with our State and Federal parliamentarians and Whitehorse councillors.

The event commenced with local Wurundjeri elder Uncle Colin Hunter Junior performing a Welcome to Country, followed by a wonderful musical performance by Sam Xu on the Er-Hu instrument.

The Nunawading Community Hub is Council's first 5 star, Green star building. It is here where sustainability meets community needs, and a large part of this magnificent building is designed for our older citizens.

The purpose-built meals delivery area located within the Hub building in no small part contributed to Whitehorse being selected as one of only two of 79 LGA's in Victoria to be part of this Federal Government pilot program.

This outcome for the local Whitehorse community is the envy of surrounding LGA's and I understand that Manningham Council has been in touch with our new providers to see how they can become involved.

Meals on Wheels is a service that has been running for decades for our most vulnerable. It provides much more than a meal as we all know. It provides for human connection, a longstanding one on one relationship in many cases, and possibly the only human contact the person might have that day. It's power cannot be underestimated.

I was so thrilled to be able to speak at the launch on Saturday, along with Michael Sukkar MP - Member for Deakin and Will Fowles MP, State Member for Ringwood who MC'ed the joyous event.

In attendance also were John Mullahy MP, State Member for Glen Waverley and my fellow councillors Tina Liu, Andrew Munroe, Trudy Skilbeck and Raylene Carr as well as our Director of Human Services, Lisa Letic.

To get involved either as a new client or a volunteer, please contact Rebecca at the Meals on Wheels Whitehorse team on whitehorse@mow.net.au or call 0421230129 or 9017 3881.

This is the dawning of an exciting new era and the first meals will be rolling out of the Nunawading Community Hub and into our wonderful 60 volunteers cars then into our MOW clients homes tomorrow morning from 8:30am

Page 4 of 4

FOI 5281 IC - Document 22

From: Lakshman Gunaratnam
To: Minister Wells@aph.gov.au
Cc: s47F
Subject: Future Fit update: Whitehorse Meals on Wheels
Date: Tuesday, 16 May 2023 4:48:23 AM
Attachments: image001.png
FF-Whitehorse MOW progress 15 May 2023.pdf
Attachments.pdf

Dear Minister Wells,

Thank you for your continued support of Future Fit, particularly to enable the Whitehorse Council transition to Meals on Wheels.

Attached is a letter that summarises the significant progress to-date, together with relevant collateral that may be of interest to you. We will also keep you informed of the forward calendar of events, and I would be happy to speak with your office to discuss any event opportunities of interest.

Many thanks

Lakshman
Lakshman Gunaratnam
CEO

s47F
s47F @milesmorgan.com.au

This document has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Page 1 of 1

Future Fit
FOI 5281 IC - Document 23

The Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care
Minister for Sport
By email: minister.wells@health.gov.au
16 May 2023

# Progress on the Meals on Wheels pilot in Whitehorse, Victoria

Dear Minister Wells,

We write to update you on the transition of services from Whitehorse City Council to Whitehorse Meals on Wheels, actively supported through the Australian Government funded FUTURE FIT initiative.

We're pleased to inform you since your announcement in March we have been working with the Whitehorse City Council and completed these transition activities:

- Hosted an event with over two dozen Meals on Wheels volunteers thank them for with work and retain them for the new service, emphasising the importance of social connection
- Completed an expression of interest for meal providers, including a focus on culturally appropriate meals, they closed Friday 12 May, and an announcement will be made soon
- Secured space at the Nunawading Community Hub as the hub for meal delivery
- Engaged two former Whitehorse City Council employees to continue their role managing the Whitehorse Meals on Wheels service
- Promoted the announcement in Whitehorse City Council publications and local media in the May edition of Eastsider News (copy of article attached)
- Commenced stake holder engagement with councillors, state, and federal MPs in the Whitehorse City Council boundaries, to inform them of our role and provide a direct point of contact in the new service for their electorate offices
- Produced volunteer recruitment material and explainer documents to promote our service and displaying these in MPs office front windows and reception areas, council buildings and Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres across Whitehorse (see explainer attached)
- We are organising a tour of the Nunawading Community Hub for s11C
Federal Member for Chisholm (s11C office has been enthusiastic about this opportunity)
- Updated the Future Fit website with dedicated information for the Whitehorse service, including an interactive calendar regularly updated with details of volunteer and engagement events and weekly emails to volunteers (https://www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse)
- Designed four logos for the Whitehorse service and given volunteers and residents the chance to vote on their favourite option
- Hosting multiple meal taste tests for our volunteers so they can try the food they'll deliver to residents.

We'd like to invite you to join local residents, Meals on Wheels volunteers, the Mayor and Councillors of Whitehorse, local MPs, local media and our staff for the launch of Whitehorse Meals on Wheels:

- Date: Saturday, 1 July 2023
- Time: Anytime between 11am-2pm
- Location: Nunawading Community Hub, 96-106 Springvale Rd, Nunawading, Victoria.

Page 1 of 2

Future Fit
FOI 5281 IC - Document 23

We can organise the schedule of the day around your availability and would provide the opportunity to speak about the Albanese Government's budget investments in aged care and nutrition for older Australians.

We'd also like to offer you a standing invitation to join our volunteers to see our work first-hand. We know you're busy so we can offer these events that can be organised on short notice:

- Volunteer meet and greet at the Nunawading Community Hub
- Meal taste test hosted at the Nunawading Community Hub
- Join a meal delivery route with volunteers to welcome older Australians to the new service.

For planning purposes, the Nunawading Community Hub is located 30 minutes to the east of the Melbourne CBD and 45 minutes from Melbourne Airport.

For more information about our work in Whitehorse or to arrange a visit, please feel free for you or your office to contact me on s47F@milesmorgan.com.au or s47F@milesmorgan.com.au.

Kind regards,

s47F

Lakshman Gunaratnam
Future Fit Program Sponsor

Page 2 of 2

FOR VICTORY: COPYRIGHT 1999

Edition Number 17

FREE

# Eastsider News

News, views and items of interest for residents of Melbourne's east

May 2023

![img-9.jpeg](img-9.jpeg)

## What will the Safeguard Mechanism do?

- Liz Reen, ACF Community Chisholm

Much has been written about the Federal Government's proposed Safeguard Mechanism legislation in recent months. At the end of March, it was strengthened and passed. So, what does it all mean?

The changes are an important start in dealing with the failings of the previous policy. They include new caps on emissions, a new pollution trigger, new blocks on taxpayer funding for coal and gas, and an offset threshold among other updates. They are expected to lead to genuine emissions reduction and greater accountability and transparency from Australia's biggest polluters.

## A hard cap on emissions that will go down over time

We now have a hard cap on the total number of 'absolute' emissions from facilities captured by the mechanism. It cannot be influenced by offsets.

This hard cap will reduce over time and affect the number of new coal and gas projects. For new facilities, baselines will be set on international best practice, adapted for the

Australian context. The science tells us we should not open any more fossil fuel projects so there is more work to be done in this area.

## No public funding for fossil fuels from new funds

The government has provided $16 billion funding to assist industry reconstruction and decarbonisation including for new technologies and hard to abate manufacturing industries. These funds will not be available to new or expanding coal or gas facilities.

## New Safeguard pollution trigger

For the first time, new coal and gas projects will need to be assessed for their pollution impact. They can potentially be stopped or trigger additional government action, if projected to breach the Safeguard's pollution cap.

All project approvals under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act will need to report their emissions and projected emissions. New gas fields will be treated as new projects not as part of an existing facility.

New reporting requirements for the Climate Change Authority (CCA) will make for greater transparency. This will enable us to target organisations which are not meeting legislated reduction targets, especially if they are using offsets when they have options available to directly reduce their emissions.

## Improved methane reporting

Gas is mainly made up of methane, a climate-heating gas way more potent than natural liquids. In Australia, methane emissions are likely under reported and we need more available monitoring and reporting. Big polluters will now be required to report publicly their methane, carbon dioxide and ferrous oxide emissions.

## Offsets still available for big polluters

New research shows that offsets are failing to deliver genuine emissions reduction and do not tackle climate change. Despite new transparency, review and threshold measures, the strengthened Safeguard Mechanism still makes offsets available to polluters.

An offset threshold has been introduced. If a facility meets 30 percent or more of its baseline through offsets instead of actual onsite emissions reduction, they must explain why they are not taking onsite action. This will be reported publicly and provide an opportunity to hold these facilities to account.

## We must keep up the momentum for stronger climate action

The Safeguard Mechanism falls short of what the science demands, and it doesn't address Australia's biggest source of climate pollution, coal and gas exports. The pollution we export through coal and gas (Scope 3 emissions) is twice what we produce at home. Attention should now turn to replacing our coal and gas exports with clean exports. Solid research shows it can be done and can be an economic boon.

The climate crisis is urgent. The strengthened Safeguard Mechanism must start a wave of bold new climate action from our parliament. Let's create the groundswell for a ban on public money for coal and gas; a ban on new coal and gas projects; and replacing coal and gas exports with clean exports. The strengthened Safeguard Mechanism is a critical start, but not the final word, on real climate action.

A longer version of this article can be found at https://www.acf.org.au/what-does-safeguard-mechanism-mean-for-clashing-climate-pollution. More information on the failure of offsets is available here: https://www.acf.org.au/why-offsets-do-not-work-new-analysis. To read more on the opportunity for clean exports check out the article at https://www.acf.org.au/clean-exports-could-deliver-395000-new-jobs.

## Help Union Road Surrey Hills Recover

- Bob Denaholt, Committee Member, Union Road Surrey Hills Traders Association

Many readers will be aware of the massive project to replace Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Stations with one new station and the consequent closure of Union Road and Mont Albert Road for months during the 'Big Dig'.

This is now well advanced with the roads predicted to reopen in early to mid-May and the new Union Station to be operating late May, weather permitting of course. Works around the station and the roads will continue to the end of this year.

A great result for commuters and road users in the long run but, in the short term, terrible for our local traders in Surrey Hills with this massive disruption following so closely upon two years of COVID affecting local businesses. Some have now closed either permanently or for some months and others have relocated. The impact and loss of trade and income on local shops has been considerable.

Our local traders, however, are responding and late last December the Union Road Surrey Hills Traders Association was launched with the help of the Economic Development officers at Boroondara Council and an initial grant from the Surrey Hills Community Bank. The President is Jeff Anderson from Ross Hunt Real Estate; Secretary is Rochelle Anderson from the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre and Anjali Matrou from the Community Bank is the Treasurer.

The Association has been active in meeting with the Level Crossing Removal Program managers to ensure as much support as possible for local traders as well as to be kept

up to date with progress and plans. It has also liaised with Council over proposed upgrades to Union Road shops. Next step is to organise a marketing and promotion program to help the traders and the shopping strip recover.

That of course takes money and people. The Association is looking to the State Government for strong support by way of a grant and other support over the next 18 months or so while the works are being completed and beyond as the shopping centre recovers. It is also approaching Boroondara Council for a grant of

$20,000 in the forthcoming budget to help with a part-time marketing coordinator and a program of promotions for the shopping strip over the 2023-24 financial year.

The Association is also looking to local businesses for help and the Surrey Hills Community Bank has agreed to provide a grant of $10,000 to the Association to promote the centre. Ross Hunt Real Estate will provide some display boards in Surrey Hills and the Surrey Hills

![img-10.jpeg](img-10.jpeg)

Neighbourhood Centre will provide a working space for a volunteer or paid marketing assistant for the Association.

Most of all we need locals to come and shop in Union Road Surrey Hills - coffee and cake, banking, gifts, dining, takeaway, chemist, newsagent, medical and allied health, post office, real estate and so much more.

## In This Edition

Thank you to all our marvelous contributors who have yet again given us such a diverse array of material. In this edition, we report on local matters such as recent changes to the delivery of aged oars services and the concern this is causing local residents.

The environment is well covered in this edition with reports on the Federal Government Safeguard Mechanism, the launch of the regional collaboration group for Gardiners Creek/KooyongKoot, duck shooting and initiatives to increase awareness of canopy tree, and the revegetation of nature strips. Health also gets a run with articles on macular degeneration and new crisis support services.

Members of the many active service organisations in our region such as Lions, Rotary, Neighbourhood Watch and church support groups report on the activities and programs they undertake to strengthen our local communities. Interest groups such as the Doncaster Camera Club, local historical societies, and groups to increase public speaking skills identify ways you can follow your passion.

We at Eastsider News want to encourage our readers to make a considered and well informed choice when they vote on the referendum on the Voice to Parliament. It is with this in mind that we have outlined some of the many sources of information relating to this important question on page 2 of this edition.

Eastsider News - No.17 May 2023

Page 1 of 7

FOI 5281 IC - Document 24

# Aged Care Reforms and Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels are provided to elderly residents assessed as eligible under the Federal Government funded Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).

In March 2023, the Federal Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells MP, announced changed arrangements for the delivery of Meals on Wheels in Whitehorse. From 1 July 2023, Council will cease meal deliveries and a new provider, Newcastle Meals on Wheels will take over the service. Both the Minister and the City of Whitehorse were keen to emphasise that the existing delivery model based around volunteers would be maintained.

The new provider, Newcastle Meals on Wheels was established in 1963 and is now registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) as a Public Benevolent Institution to provide 'benevolent relief'.

Newcastle is the largest Meals on Wheels provider in New South Wales and is committed to supporting and

![img-11.jpeg](img-11.jpeg)

growing the local service in Whitehorse They have a local transition team already in place and recruitment for local staff about to commence. They are working under the Commonwealth's Future Fit program to establish a local delivery agency, to be known as Whitehorse Meals on Wheels.

These changes form part of the Labor Government's response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The commission was established by the Coalition Government in the latter part of 2018 to

examine the quality of aged care services provided to Australians, and to make recommendations on how best to deliver future aged care services.

The final report of the Commissioners Tony Pagone QC and Lynele Briggs AO was tabled in Parliament on 1 March 2021. Their report highlighted significant failings in the current system. Since then, work has been going on to respond to their recommendations.

To read the Commission's Report, go to https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/. To find out about the work of the Department of Health and Aged Care, go to their website at https://www.health.gov.au/.

Without volunteers, Meals on Wheels would not exist. You can find out more about volunteering at Whitehorse by visiting www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse.

The changes in arrangements for the delivery of Meals on Wheels and other services for elderly residents have raised concern among Whitehorse residents. We include the following article that reports on these concerns.

# Cessation of Whitehorse Home and Community Services (WHACS)

- Glenys Grant

Whitehorse Home and Community Services currently delivers a range of services to elderly citizens in the community under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the Home Care Program (HCP). The services include housekeeping and shopping assistance, home maintenance and home modifications including minor home repairs and safety alterations, meal assistance and delivery, occupational therapy, assistance with personal needs, transport and flexible respite.

From June 30, 2023, delivery of these various services will no longer be undertaken by Whitehorse Council. For the Meals on Wheel service, a new not-for-profit, Newcastle Meals on Wheels has been appointed under the Commonwealth Department of Aged Care and Health's Future Fit program.

Providers for other services have also been announced. They include Link Community Transport Inc. Health Ability formerly Carrington Health, Uniting AgeWell Limited,

![img-12.jpeg](img-12.jpeg)

Fronditha Care, Australian Multicultural Community Services and Access Health &amp; Community.

The Council decision to cease services was made at a closed meeting. No information is available regarding what transpired at that meeting and a Freedom of Information request has been denied by Council. Participants do not know how their elected Councillors voted.

Widespread community capacity has been

expressed over the new arrangements. The Whitehorse Ratepayers and Residents Association collected some to 4000 signatures opposing the decision. The position was tabled in the Legislative Council of Victoria on March 23 calling on the Minister for Local Government to intervene. Further lobbying of federal and state politicians is continuing.

Many letters have been written to Councillors. This follows what booms by advocacy group Elder Care Watch orgng residents to convey their views in writing.

A silent protest was held at the March 27 Council meeting. A packed public gallery supported two speakers, Tanya Tescher and Michelle Mayor who read a letter from David Ellis. The speakers were allowed three minutes each to air the views and concerns of residents. Protesters carried placards with slogans such as 'Whitehorse Aged Care? Excellent! Please review your decision', 'Don't mess with Grandma' and 'You too will be old one day'. A technical fault meant there was no audio for the live streaming of the meeting.

Concerns expressed include the fear the level of care from people providers would decline and whether there would be adequate supervision of the new services. Also raised was the possible increased cost of new services and the likelihood that clients would be required to engage with a number of providers to access the different services previously provided through one agency. Some elders will also have in dealing with the complexity of the transition to a new provider.

Also raised were concerns about the loss of jobs by carers who gave excellent continuous service and care to their elderly clients, some of whom may leave the sector; the ability of new service providers to find adequate well-trained staff to cover the service; and the elderly getting a continuous flow of different people coming into their homes instead of a person they know.

# Box Hill's Horizontally and Vertically Stacked Little Boxes

- Ian Hundley

Little boxes on the hillside

Little boxes made of ticky-tacky

Little boxes on the hillside

Little boxes all the same

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one

And they're all made out of ticky-tacky

And they all look just the same

When the U.S. folk singer and political activist, Malvina Reynolds wrote the song Little Boxes in the early 1960's, she had in mind the post-WW2 urban sprawl of single dwellings side by side that characterized many American cities of the time, and the social and political conformism she suggested it bred. The same could have been said of Australian cities during the period.

The Victorian government now has another form of physical conformity in mind: thousands of little boxes stacked one upon the other in Box Hill. The Vicinity Centre project, which the new planning minister, Sonya Kilkenny is preparing to rubber stamp, includes seven high rise towers, four of which would be taller than Box Hill's currently tallest building, the 36-storey Sky One apartment block.

The project is portrayed, at least in part, as a remedy for greater urban sprawl, that would otherwise accompany further population growth. Interestingly, the Victorian Government does not have a population policy. High population growth is taken as a given, with Victorian Labor's 2022 election manifesto limited to referencing particular consequences of population growth that it says will need to be dealt with.

![img-13.jpeg](img-13.jpeg)

Looking towards Sky One: The Vicinity project would see four towers in Box Hill taller than this

But even with population growth as a given, does high rise of the type contemplated with the Vicinity Centre project make much sense?

Harvard economist, Edward Glaeser, author of Triumph of the City (2010) led the charge in singing the praises of cities and high-rise developments,

claiming they facilitate greater face-to-face interaction, enhanced competition and social and economic mobility. These are what economists call agglomeration effects - the advantage firms and people are said to enjoy when located in close proximity to each other in cities and industrial clusters.

# Quizing Questions

1. What word for careless can be made endless. And reversed to make mates cheerless?
2. Explain why 50 in 09 reversed is a weather pattern by which our world is cursed.

![img-14.jpeg](img-14.jpeg)

Thank you, David Astle for allowing us to use your intriguing, teasing, and frustrating quidings that can drive a person to distraction. These come from his book, Puzzled. You will find the answers on page 16 of this edition.

What about high-rise as a place in which to live? World-renowned architect, Jan Gehl, has said anybody living higher than the fifth floor should be referred to the airspace authorities. He said we know much more about good habitat for many species of animals than we do for homo sapiens. High rise dwellers are not part of the earth anymore, because they cannot see what's going on the ground, and the people on the ground cannot see where others are in their high rise. High rise developments are profoundly socially isolating in a way that lower-level dwellings are not, including the little boxes to which Malvina Reynolds referred over half a century ago.

A recent series in The Age newspaper contemplated a location for a second CBD in Melbourne ('Does Melbourne need a new CBD?', The Age, 1 to 4 April 2023). Whitehorse mayor, Mark Lane, told The Age that Box Hill's growth is occurring 'organically, anyway' (The Age, 5 April). This observation is difficult to reconcile

Continues on page 4

![img-15.jpeg](img-15.jpeg)

Eastside News - No.17 May 2023

Page 2 of 7

Future Fit

F0152314C - Document 24

![img-16.jpeg](img-16.jpeg)

# What is Meals on Wheels

- Meals on Wheels (MOW) is an essential service delivering meals and social connection to older Australians, as well as people that are isolated, living with an illness or disability.
- Organisations delivering MOW services are an invaluable community resource, with companionship and healthy meals, reducing the risk of malnutrition and social isolation.
- Today, the active MOW network delivers over 7.2 million meals a year to more than 84,000 older Australians thanks to a network of more than 15,000 volunteers.
- Meal on Wheels has been serving communities across Australia for over 65 years – with local volunteers at the heart of all we do.

# How is it funded?

- MOW services are primarily funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), helping older Australians live independently in their own homes.
- In Victoria, local councils have historically received funding to run in-home care services, including MOW – previously through the state government’s Home and Community Care program and since mid-2016 through the federal government’s CHSP.
- As with any provider of government services, councils make independent decisions as to what services they should provide in their local communities.
- Some local councils in Victoria are stepping back to let other organisations deliver aged care services, including MOW.

# What is Future Fit

- Future Fit is designed to enhance the visibility and capability of the MOW network through a program of work covering people, process and technology.
- Future Fit will build the resilience of the MOW network to adapt and evolve with new regulatory and contractual requirements and leverage the benefits of coming together as a network to:
- Capture a picture of the active MOW network, identifying the challenges and opportunities for individual services
- Create a tool kit of resources to inform business and operational decisions
- Improve network infrastructure, to enhance people, process and technology capabilities
- Build relationships across the network to extend purchasing power and reach
- Showcase reforms and providing a platform for change.

![img-17.jpeg](img-17.jpeg)

August 2016

www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse

FOI 5281 IC - Document 24

# What's happening in Whitehorse?

- The Whitehorse City Council decided to cease being a provider of MOW services from 30 June 2023 and informed the federal Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC) of their decision.
- As a result, DOHAC engaged a new service provider to take on the delivery of meals in the City of Whitehorse.
- In order to keep the MOW ethos of 'more than a meal' central to service delivery in Whitehorse and surrounds, DOHAC has asked Future Fit to support the transition from a council-run service to a community-led service.
- Your new not-for-profit MOW provider will start operations of the new Whitehorse MOW from 1 July 2023.
- This means that older Australians in Whitehorse will continue to enjoy healthy meals, delivered personally by local volunteers, subsidised by the federal government.

# More choice to more older Australians in Whitehorse

- The new meal provider in Whitehorse is Newcastle Meals on Wheels, one of the largest MOW providers in Australia.
- They will bring extensive experience to support existing local volunteers in the ongoing delivery of 'more than a meal', using the same local people, that prioritises social connection.
- Meals will continue to be delivered by local volunteers from the new, state-of-the-art Nunawading Community Hub.
- The new service at Whitehorse will provide a diverse range of meals to give local older people more choice and control over what they eat, with high-frequency contact that contributes to overall wellbeing.
- Over the next 12 months, we're keen to expand the menu to offer more culturally inclusive meals that reflect Whitehorse's culturally diverse community.
- Our goal is to ensure we're providing 85,000 healthy meal choices at affordable prices to even more local older Australians in Whitehorse.

![img-18.jpeg](img-18.jpeg)

# We need more volunteers!

- Volunteers are the heart of all we do at MOW – we cannot provide this highly valued service without them.
- We would welcome your ideas on how we can build our local volunteer base:
- Are there community group your office deals with who we can reach out?
- Are you aware of other local volunteer organisations we can form partnerships with?
- Can we provide information for newsletters?
- We also need help reaching more older Australians in Whitehorse, including more older Australians from the local Chinese and Greek communities.

![img-19.jpeg](img-19.jpeg)

# Next steps

You're invited to:

- Visit the Nunawading Community Hub and see first-hand how local volunteers prepare for meal delivery.
- Join us for a volunteer run! Come along and see what it's all about and help us deliver meals to older Australians in Whitehorse.
- Attend an upcoming volunteer morning-tea. We're holding a series of volunteer events in the lead up to June 30 and beyond and you're welcome to pop-in and meet our local volunteer heroes and learn more about what they do.
- Join us for our launch event.

For any further questions or to take up our invitation, please contact Whitehorse Meals on Wheels Transition Manager, Rebecca Bartleman on 0421 230 129 or enquiry@mowfuturefit.com.au.

© 2023 FOI

www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse

FOLS231 IC - Document 24

Future Fit

# Volunteer for Meals on Wheels

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our Meals on Wheels services.

![img-20.jpeg](img-20.jpeg)

![img-21.jpeg](img-21.jpeg)

Our volunteers prepare and delivery healthy and nutritious meals to older Australians and provide social connection by saying hi and sharing a conversation.

We're aiming to deliver 85,000 health and nutritious meals to Whitehorse residents, and we'd love for you to join our team of wonderful volunteers to help us achieve this goal!

You'll be providing a valuable service to older Australians and in return you'll meet great people, learn new things and be closer to your community.

We provide full induction and training before you begin and have regular thank you events for our volunteers to show our appreciation for your time and efforts.

If you're interested in volunteering with Whitehorse Meals on Wheels, please give Rebecca a call on 0421 230 129 or 1800 718 326 or drop us an email at enquiry@mowfuturefit.com.au

For further information, scan the QR code to visit the Future Fit website or visit: www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse

Page 6 of 7

![img-22.jpeg](img-22.jpeg)

Meals on Wheels

Future Fit

# No change for Meals on Wheels volunteers in Whitehorse

![img-23.jpeg](img-23.jpeg)

You may have heard there will be changes to your local aged care services – but the good news is the Meals on Wheels model will not change in Whitehorse.

Local volunteers will continue to be the heart of Meals on Wheels services in Whitehorse – upholding the ethos of ‘more than a meal’, delivering the best possible service to local residents.

## What's happening?

The largest not-for-profit Meals on Wheels service in New South Wales has been invited to build on the good work of the Whitehorse City Council and continue delivering meals with wrap-around social connection.

This means your local Meals on Wheels service will continue to:

- Engage local volunteers to help look after local people
- Reduce isolation by embedding social connection into meal delivery.

The Meals on Wheels service in Whitehorse has been running for over 20 years – and this would not have been possible without the dedication of local volunteers.

We are aiming to deliver 85,000 meals next year, to support more people live independently and comfortably in the community. And we can only achieve this with your help.

![img-24.jpeg](img-24.jpeg)

## We need you!

Without volunteers, Meals on Wheels would not exist. Your new leadership team at Whitehorse Meals on Wheels are committed to engaging, informing and involving the whole community.

We want your help to set the vision for Meals on Wheels in Whitehorse – by sharing your perspectives and experience – because your continued involvement in Meals on Wheels is essential to maintaining the well-being of your neighbours, friends and community.

This starts with working out the best ways to grow the volunteer team in Whitehorse, making our Meals on Wheels community stronger.

Strengthening our volunteer team will mean we can expand the number of clients we can help – and deliver a service that reflects the needs of older people living in the Whitehorse area and surrounds.

You can find out more about volunteering at Whitehorse by visiting www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse

## More information

The establishment of Whitehorse Meals on Wheels will be supported by Future Fit, an initiative funded by the Australian government.

On this website you can sign-up to receive information updates about Whitehorse Meals on Wheels, as well as invites to a range of activities for volunteers to share information and ideas.

We are committed to a streamlined service transition, and to working with Whitehorse City Council every day between now and 1 July to ensure there is no disruption for you or your clients.

## Get in touch

If you have any questions, would like to share your experiences, or help make any changes necessary to ensure the long-term success of Meal on Wheels please email:

enquiry@mowfuturefit.com.au or call 1800 718 326.

Page 7 of 7

FOI 5281 IC - Document 25

From: s47F
To: s47F
Subject: FW: Media Release quote for approval thank you
Date: Friday, 30 June 2023 5:09:15 PM
Attachments: sec-newgate—secondary-australia rgb e0612c9d-7a9b-4176-8c9d-8a15f45a49d1.png sec-newgate—secondary-australia rgb e0612c9d-7a9b-4176-8c9d-8a15f45a49d1.png MEDIA RELEASE - Whitehorse Meals on Wheels 01072023.pdf

s47F
M s47F
Account Director, Communications | SEC Newgate Australia

From: s47F @secnewgate.com.au&gt;
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2023 1:16 PM
To: s47F @Health.gov.au
Subject: Media Release quote for approval thank you
Hi s47F

Thanks for your assistance with sourcing a quote from Minister Wells for our media release celebrating tomorrow’s launch of the new Whitehorse Meals on Wheels service.

Attached is the draft media release and a suggested quote from the Minister.

We would be keen to get something turned around by COB today if possible so we’re ready to hit send first thing tomorrow

Cheers,

s47F
s47F
M s47F
Account Director, Communications | SEC Newgate Australia

This document has been released on the Freedom of Information Act by the Department of Health, Disability and Human Services.

Page 1 of 1

WHITEHORSE MEALS ON WHEELS

FOI 5281 IC - Document 26

Nunawading Community Hub

96-106 Springvale Rd, Nunawading

VIC 3131 Australia

ABN: 59 349 207 123

# MEDIA RELEASE

## WHITEHORSE MEALS ON WHEELS IS FUTURE-FIT

A new Meals on Wheels operator has launched in Whitehorse today, offering older Australians a huge range of healthy and affordable meals, delivered by local volunteers, so they can stay in their own homes for longer.

Following the decision by Whitehorse local council to transition out of Meals on Wheels from 30 June 2023, a new provider was engaged by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

The Commonwealth Government funded Future Fit initiative has been commissioned to help improve the viability and capability of the Meals on Wheels network. Future Fit has been actively supporting the establishment of the new not-for-profit service in Whitehorse, with a view to making it an exemplar for others to follow.

Whitehorse Meals on Wheels is now part of Newcastle Meals on Wheels, one of the largest services in Australia and an active leader of Meals on Wheels network.

Under this new arrangement, meals will continue to be delivered by dedicated local volunteers, who are at the heart of the Meals on Wheels, from Monday 3 July.

Whitehorse Meals on Wheels will offer a diverse range of healthy meals, giving older Australians more choice and control over what they eat.

Good nutrition can contribute to stronger preventative health outcomes and improved overall wellbeing for older Australians.

Whitehorse Meals on Wheels is on a mission to provide 85,000 healthy meals each year, with more menu choices at affordable prices. Eligible clients can get a 2-course meal for just $5.95.

Over the next 12 months, Whitehorse Meals on Wheels will be further expanding the menu selection to offer more culturally inclusive meals, and they will also be working hard to build the diversity of the local volunteer base.

Meals on Wheels are more than just a meal. Volunteers takes the time to have a conversation with the older person when delivering their meal, reducing social isolation and enabling them to continue living independently in their home.

Whitehorse Meals on Wheels looks forward to serving the local community in Whitehorse well into the future.

## Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Aged Care and Sport, Hon Anika Wells MP:

"The Albanese Government's Future Fit program will help deliver more nutritious meals to older Australians in Whitehorse and is the first step in enhancing the viability and capability of the Meals on Wheels network nationwide."

03 9017 3881

whitehorse@mow.net.au

www.mowfuturefit.com.au/whitehorse

WHITEHORSE
MEALS ON WHEELS
FOI 5281 IC - Document 26
Nunawading Community Hub
96-106 Springvale Rd, Nunawading
VIC 3131 Australia
ABN: 59 349 207 123

# Quotes attributable to General Manager Newcastle Meals on Wheels, s47F

"We are taking the best of what they do up in Newcastle and applying it locally here in Whitehorse, with local people"

"Future Fit is helping Meals on Wheels services collaborate and innovate, while also helping government to better understand one of Australia's largest grass roots community run service network to help ensure Meals on Wheels services like Whitehorse can survive and thrive in the future"

# Quotes attributable to Whitehorse Meals on Wheels Team Leader, s47F

"Meals on Wheels is about more than food; it's about building social connections with our neighbours. Our dedicated volunteers in Whitehorse are the heartbeat of everything that we do, delivering not only meals but also companionship and care."

- ENDS -

Media contact - s47F

This document has been released under t...