LOCAL Meals on Wheels services have been amalgamated with other services between Sawtell and the Great Lakes to form a new organisation.
Called Mid North Coast Meals on Wheels, the new organisation will be fully operational by 1 July.
The umbrella organisation includes Meals on Wheels services from Sawtell, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Camden Haven, Taree and Great Lakes.
The CEO will be John Carroll, who will work with a new board to finalise the amalgamation process and steer the future of the new body.
Mr Carroll said amalgamation would position Meals on Wheels as the leading provider of delivered meals in the region.
“A major objective of the new regional service is to achieve the benefits of a larger sized operation, such as enhanced client services, economies of scale, and sound financial management and corporate governance,” he said.
However, Mr Carroll stressed that Meals on Wheels Mid North Coast would preserve and promote the essence of local community involvement fundamental to the current role of each service.
“It will be business as usual for our customers and valued volunteers as the new regional Meals on Wheels service rolls out,” he said.
“I have already visited each of the seven amalgamating services and I am looking forward to working with all staff and volunteers to lead and shape this exciting new regional meals service.”
Mr Carroll is a highly respected and well-credentialed senior executive who is well known in the Hastings area. He has special interest and strong skills in strategic and structural planning, leadership, management, marketing and people development, spanning a 25-year career in Australia, Southern Africa and the UK.
