General News
7 September, 2026
Meals on Wheels vollie honoured
A LONG-TIME Cairns Meals on Wheels volunteer who helped guide the organisation through major relocations and laid the groundwork for its Westcourt facility has been awarded Meals on Wheels Queensland’s highest honour.
Joan Cadman, who served as president of Meals on Wheels Cairns for 16 years, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Mary Lowe Living Legend Award in recognition of her contribution to the organisation.
Mrs Cadman’s recognition comes more than five decades after Cairns Meals on Wheels was established in 1969 by Vera Woodward, Grace Beaman and Glenn Keller, who built the local service to provide meals and support to those in need.
Mrs Cadman served as president from 2003 to 2019, steering the service through three major relocations, from Martyn Street to the Cairns Racecourse and ultimately to Barlow Park Stadium, without disrupting meal delivery to elderly and vulnerable clients.
“It is a great privilege to receive the Mary Lowe Award, as Meals on Wheels is a wonderful organisation that has helped countless people over the years,” Mrs Cadman said.
“I am humbled to have been chosen to represent our many dedicated volunteers and staff, who embody this organisation, and are the backbone of this wonderful service.
MOWQ chief executive Evan Hill said Mrs Cadman’s contribution had helped shape the Cairns service. “Her 17 years of service kept meals moving through three relocations without a single missed delivery...,” he said.
