This year marks the centenary of the Lions International, as clubs across the world celebrate the milestone.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On a local level, the Bega branch is celebrating 57 years of service to the community, and taking the anniversary as an occasion to reflect on their work.
The Bega Lions are much more than the community barbecue. A number of projects around town, both big and small, have been funding or initiated by the club.
“There are a lot of things in this town that wouldn’t be here without the Lions,” president Peter Wiley said.
On the evening of Thursday, January 18 the Bega Lions held their bi-monthly meeting. Club members shared a meal before opening the meeting by reading the Lions Club purposes and code of ethics.
Discussion then turned to current projects, the annual Christmas decorations, a recent barbecue at a health awareness day at Wallaga Lake and preparation for their free breakfast in Bega’s Littleton Gardens on Australia Day.
The Lions broke into applause when vice-president Bryson Banfield announced that $131,000 had been secured for the development of Booraja House carers accommodation at the South East Regional Hospital through Lions International.
Booraja House is currently the Lions’ major project and one that Mr Banfield is very passionate about.
“It took two years for this to be approved, it’s the biggest grant we’ve had from them,” he said.
Feedback from the first guests at Booraja House has been overwhelmingly positive.
“That is the major motivation for us, were not doing this for our own benefit, it’s about raising money from the community to give back to the community.”
Other projects that stand out for Mr Banfield in his 40 years of service with the Lions include the walking track at the northern end of town and the nearby skate park.
“It was the hands of the Lions Club built that track back in 1995 with the support of grants and community groups,” he said.
“And it took off, now we have the best walking track in the shire.”
At about the same time, work began to extend the Bega skate park.
“It was just three humps before we started, and we had the option of either demolishing it or extending it,” Mr Banfield said.
“I’m so glad we extended because every time I pass there I always see heaps of kids making the most of it.”
Toward the end of Thursday’s meeting, a special announcement was made by president Peter Wiley.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship was awarded to Bega Lions life member Alex Langworthy, in recognition of his dedication to humanitarian service within the club for over 40 years.
Mr Langworthy was instrumental in the development of Tulgeen in 1980, joining the board of the Tulgeen Group and acted as a guarantor for a loan to build the first group home.
“It was very enterprising, there was nothing like it here,” Mr Langworthy said.
“I’m really proud of how it has grown, it really changed perceptions of people with disabilities, getting them out of home and into community and social environments.”
Mr Langworthy said he found helping people really satisfying.
“If you asked why i’m still here after 40 years that would be the reason,” he said.
Mr Wiley said it was about small projects as well as big ones.
“The big projects are great, but sometimes helping individuals is the greatest reward,” he said.
Last year, Lions helped two local children with disabilities, purchasing a walker for a young boy and building a wheelchair ramp at the home of a teenage girl.