General News
28 April, 2026
Meals on Wheels legacy
A $62,000 donation from the Mills Family Foundation will fund two new vehicles for Cairns Meals on Wheels, strengthening delivery services across the region.
The contribution supports ongoing operations while highlighting a direct link to the organisation’s founding figures.
Cairns Meals on Wheels was established in 1969 by Vera Woodward, Grace Beaman and Glenn Keller, who built the service around providing meals and support to those in need.
“In 1969, a small group of dedicated volunteers, including Vera Woodward, Grace Beaman and Glenn Keller, came together with a simple goal: to ensure no one in our community went without a meal or support,” said Cairns Meals on Wheels general manager Chris Van Dorssen.
The Mills family connection runs back to those early years.
Vera Woodward was the mother of Anne Mills, while Glenn Keller was the godmother of Dave Mills, placing the family within the organisation’s original history.
“To see that same legacy continue today through the Mills Family Foundation is incredibly special,” said Anne Mills of the Mills Family Foundation.
The new vehicles will expand delivery capacity and support continued meal distribution across Cairns and surrounding areas.
Cairns Meals on Wheels says the donation will help maintain services while responding to ongoing community demand.
