Community
9 July, 2026
Cooking with care
MAC’S Hotel has launched a creative new partnership to ensure Support at Home and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recipients can enjoy a hearty pub meal.
Locals, community leaders and representatives gathered at the historic Mortlake pub on Wednesday night for an evening celebrating good food, country hospitality and the importance of helping people stay connected and cared for at home.
The launch event showcased Mac’s Hotel’s range of meals while guests had the chance to meet the team behind the service, sample meals and hear about the vision driving the new offering.
The partnership was launched as part of an initiative through Cookaborough, an online platform which connects government-funded Support at Home and NDIS recipients with food businesses to offer meals while only paying 30 per cent upfront.
Mac’s Hotel publican Jodie Beeck said the initiative was a straight-forward way for vulnerable residents to enjoy all the comforts of a country pub meal as part of government assistance.
“Elderly people can go on a Support at Home package which is designed to support people staying in their homes for longer,” she said.
“Cookaborough serves as a conduit between leading healthcare providers to keep people living independently in their homes.
“Part of it is to provide a meal which is healthy and nutritious while only covering 30 per cent of the cost – the rest is covered as part of the government’s NDIS or Support at Home package.
“Cookaborough partners with businesses which provide homemade meals but we’ll be a little different in which you can’t just buy five meals ahead of time – the meals are instead cooked to order.
“All the Support at Home and NDIS recipients do is order what meal they would like online – Cookaborough handles everything else.”
Mrs Beeck said the service had grown in popularity in the south west, with a growing list of businesses available through the service.
“Warrnambool has one of the highest users of Cookaborough, with a number of businesses already on the books,” she said.
“That means people from Mortlake can go online and make their purchases through some of the Warrnambool-based businesses too – they aren’t restricted to one.”
Mrs Beeck said she was excited to be able to provide a service which helps people maintain their connection with country hospitality.
“Good food brings people together and makes people feel cared for,” she said.
“We wanted to create something that feels generous, local and genuinely welcoming for people who might need a bit of extra support at home.
“I think it’s a wonderful service because people are much more comfortable at home.
“This provides a variety of nutritious meals for people, so they aren’t eating the same thing every day.
“I had been talking to some ladies about it and they were so excited to be part of it and include us in their Support at Home packages, so I feel like it’s a great way to help look after people.”
Cookaborough co-founder Lyndon Galvin said the launch marked an exciting step for regional food services and community care.
“We know people want meals that feel familiar, nourishing and locally made,” he said.
“Mac’s Hotel already has the warmth and trust in the community, so this felt like a natural fit.”
Cookaborough community project manager Pete Dillon said the partnership with businesses such as Mac’s Hotel was about backing regional communities with practical support which also feels personal.
“There is something really special about seeing a country pub step into this space,” he said.
“These meals are not just convenient.
“They are made with heart and designed to help people stay connected, independent and well looked after.”
The new service will provide meals tailored for older Australians receiving Support at Home services as well as NDIS participants, with a focus on accessible, nourishing food prepared locally.
Mac’s Hotel hopes the initiative will strengthen community connections while creating another practical support option for regional Victorians wanting to remain independent and well supported at home.
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