Tully Lionesses bow out with fitting final project
TULLY Lioness Club’s legacy will live on with a fitting final project after an international club decision forced the community branch to shut its doors this year.
The club’s 41 years of service to the southern Cassowary Coast community officially came to an end on June 30 and this week it unveiled its final project – a Red Bench outside the Tully Mamu Health Service clinic in Watkins St.
The Red Bench initiative was founded by domestic violence advocates Red Rose Foundation and the inscription on the Tully bench reads: “Domestic Violence: Let’s Change The Ending”.
Former Tully Lioness club president Val Buttsworth said the club closed due to Lions International deciding to discontinue Lioness clubs in their present form from June 2021.
“Tully Lionesses looked for a final project to complete and were advised of the need for a bench seat outside the Mamu clinic, where patients were often obliged to wait outside … due to COVID-19 restrictions, some having to stand for long periods of time,” Ms Buttsworth said.
Former Tully Lioness president and current division 3 councillor Trudy Tschui is an advocate for raising awareness for victims of domestic violence and introduced the Red Bench initiative to Council.
“The Prime Minister recently revealed a rising demand in domestic violence support due to the fallout from coronavirus … and we must never assume our own community is immune to this issue,” Cr Tschui said.
Division 2 councillor Teresa Millwood thanked the Tully Lioness Club for their many years of service.
“It’s sad to see the end of our beloved Lioness Club, however I’m grateful that they’ve left us this timely tribute to support victims of domestic violence.
“The Lionesses have been such a valuable organisation to the Tully community … and I’d like to acknowledge some of their more notable achievements including the very popular Strawberries and Cream Stand at the Tully Show.
“They were also the driving force behind the annual Tully Craft Show, which used to attract around 60 stallholders every year.”
Victims of domestic and family violence can seek help via DV Connect by calling the 24-hour helpline 1800 811 811 or by visiting www.dvconnect.org