Reflections from the 2026 Meals on Wheels Australia National Conference
In the final week of May, more than 200 delegates from across Australia gathered in Adelaide for the 2026 Meals on Wheels Australia National Conference, united under this year’s theme: Stronger Together.
For Meals on Wheels Queensland, the conference was a powerful opportunity to connect with colleagues from right across the country, share in important conversations shaping the future of aged care and community support, and reflect on the shared purpose that unites our network: supporting older Australians to live well, stay connected and remain independent in their own homes.
A meaningful start grounded in culture and connection
The conference opened with a deeply moving Welcome to Country by Senior Kaurna Man, Uncle Mickey O’Brien, who reminded delegates of the importance of culture, community and connection to place.
Conference Chair Justina Gardiner formally welcomed attendees, setting the tone for several days of learning, reflection and collaboration. Delegates also heard from Minister Katrine Hildyard, who acknowledged the vital role Meals on Wheels services play in communities across Australia.
Meals on Wheels Australia Chair Paul Sadler opened the program with advocacy updates and launched the new CHSP Alliance website, reinforcing the importance of a strong, coordinated voice in shaping the future of aged care services.
From the outset, the message was clear: the strength of Meals on Wheels lies not just in what we do, but in how we do it, together.
Challenging thinking and shaping the future of care
Across three days, the program brought together leading voices in aged care, community services, food security, volunteering and human connection.
Keynote speaker Mia Handshin challenged delegates to rethink leadership and creativity, reminding the sector that “the future of leadership in any sector, above all else, requires creativity.”
Day two explored the future of care and community in depth, with thought-provoking sessions on loneliness, volunteering, and the neuroscience of human connection.
Moira Were AM described Meals on Wheels as “empathy at scale” and volunteers as “social infrastructure, not a workforce”, a powerful reminder of the essential role volunteers play in strengthening communities and reducing social isolation.
Foodbank Australia’s Sarah Davis highlighted the growing challenge of food insecurity across Australia, while Dr Fiona Kerr closed the day with a compelling exploration of how human connection shapes wellbeing and resilience.
Throughout the conference, the message remained consistent: Meals on Wheels is far more than a meal service; it is a vital network of care, connection and dignity
Queensland on the program: collaboration in action
For Meals on Wheels Queensland, one of the key highlights was seeing our own Tim Hayden, Director of Fundraising, Engagement and Partnerships, take part in a Friday morning panel discussion focused on collaboration in action.
The session explored how partnerships across sectors can strengthen impact, improve sustainability and ensure community services remain responsive to local needs. Tim’s contribution reinforced the importance of practical collaboration and shared purpose in delivering meaningful outcomes for older Australians across Queensland and beyond.
Connection beyond the conference room
Alongside the formal program, the conference provided countless opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, share experiences, and strengthen relationships across the national network.
These informal conversations, over coffee, between sessions and across exhibition spaces, were just as valuable as the stage discussions, reflecting the lived reality of Meals on Wheels: local relationships powered by a national movement.
A night of creativity and celebration
One of the standout moments of the week was the Conference Dinner at the National Wine Centre, proudly supported by Diamond Sponsor Agile Care.
Under the creative theme “Create Your Masterpiece”, delegates embraced the opportunity to step away from the formal program and express themselves through colour, creativity and costume. From imaginative outfits to shared laughter and storytelling, the evening celebrated the spirit of the network in a relaxed and memorable setting.
The Meals on Wheels Queensland team certainly didn’t shy away from the theme. With a strong tradition of embracing a good dress-up night, the team brought the art world to life, literally. Lea Readdy delivered a standout performance as Van Gogh, taking home second place in the dress-up competition, while the rest of the Queensland table became a walking gallery of iconic masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa, The Scream, and Girl with a Pearl Earring.
It was a room full of living artworks, and a fitting reminder that connection is not only built through discussion and debate, but also through shared experiences, creativity and moments of joy.
Stronger together, moving forward
Closing the conference, Chair Paul Sadler thanked speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, MC Michael Pope and the Conference Steering Committee for their contribution to a successful and impactful event.
As delegates returned to their communities, they carried with them new ideas, strengthened relationships and renewed energy to continue the work of supporting older Australians.
For Meals on Wheels Queensland, the conference reinforced what we see every day across our services: when communities come together, remarkable things happen.
Stronger Together was more than a theme, it was the lived experience of this conference, and a reminder of the collective strength that drives our mission forward.
