Stencil marks 75 years of Lions

Warragul Lions Club has unveiled a massive commemorative display at Civic Park to mark the 75th anniversary of Lions Club Australia.

The display was stencilled into the grass by Baw Baw Shire’s infrastructure maintenance team and officially unveiled by the club and mayor Michael Leaney.

Also present at the launch was Lions District Governor David Culpitt.

The bright blue and yellow commemorative logo stencilled on the grass at Warragul’s Civic Park is six metres wide and six metres long. It is expected to remain in place until the end of the year.

Warragul Lions is not the only group doing great things to celebrate 75 years, across Australia other clubs have been launching commemorative gardens, plaques and displays.

The first Australian Lions Club was formed on September 29, 1947 in NSW, and since then has spread across the country, becoming the largest service club in the nation.

Warragul Lions Club was formed in July 1966 and has donated more than $500,000 towards local projects and organisations. Over the years, financial contributions have been made to the West Gippsland Hospital, Baw Baw Food Relief, Legacy and Olivia’s Place, and many more.

Warragul is one of eight active Lions clubs in the shire. Cr Leaney said the local Lions clubs should not underestimate the impact it has on the community.

“For 75 years Lions Australia has been providing service to our country and providing countless hours of volunteer time and dedication and achieving positive outcomes for their local communities and residents.”

“Day in and day out you, the Lions, volunteer your time to fundraise and support a number of key initiatives and projects for the Baw Baw Shire community and that’s greatly appreciated,” he said.

Lions member Terry Hayler had a hand in organising the stencil project.

“In our district, there are 68 clubs, ranging from Sorrento to Mallacoota, to South Gippsland.

“Different clubs have done different things (to celebrate)...we did the stencil. Ian Inglis and I worked with the shire to come up with this

“It’s been a great collaboration... I came up Monday after they’d done it. I took photos and I was jumping for joy,” Mr Hayler said.

After the official launch, Lions club members held a special evening meeting to celebrate the occasion.

Shire open spaces supervisor Scott Jinks, mayor Michael Leaney, Warragul Lions member Ian de Bruyne, president Russell Elliot, secretary Ian Inglis, Warragul Lions member John White, and the shire’s Francis De La Haye at the launch.