It’s almost that magical time of year again! The smell of tinsel, the sound of carols, and yes, the glorious return of Australia’s favourite Christmas treat— the Lions Christmas Cake!

These aren’t just any cakes; they’re the fruitcake with a purpose, here to make your holiday sweeter and your community stronger.

Packed with over 50% fruit and made from top-notch natural ingredients, Lions Christmas Cakes are here to raise the (cake) bar and some much-needed funds for local causes.

When you grab a Lions Christmas Cake, you’re not just indulging in a seasonal treat, you’re making a real impact. Every delicious bite helps fuel projects that keep our communities thriving. From city streets to the outback, the funds raised go straight into Lions Clubs across Australia to support initiatives that matter.

In recent years, our regional communities have been hit hard, from pandemic struggles to natural disasters. As we brace for yet another bushfire season, the proceeds from these cakes are absolutely crucial.

Lions Christmas Cakes help fund emergency relief, recovery efforts, and a host of other vital community programs. Yep, these cakes do way more than just satisfy your sweet tooth—they’re helping people get back on their feet.

And it doesn’t stop there – Lions Clubs are busy all year round, supporting projects like youth programs, medical research, disability aid, and environmental work.

This cake is a true multitasker, raising millions since 1965, with every crumb contributing to something bigger than just a holiday dessert.

As Lions Australia CEO Rob Oerlemans puts it, “For nearly six decades, our Lions Christmas Cakes have not only been proudly Australian-made, but their impact has been immeasurable.”

You’re not just buying a cake—you’re investing in disaster relief, childhood cancer research, and so many other life-changing initiatives.

The Lions Christmas Cake recipe is made in Victoria by Traditional Foods. And now, for the gluten-free crowd, Lions have got you covered with a limited number of GF options rolling out this year!

Your Lions Christmas Cake is waiting to make a difference—find out how you can get your hands on one (or more) in time for Christmas here.

Tricia and her dog, Dude are part of the Story Dogs team.

Last year, the Lions Club of Canberra Valley had the pleasure of hosting a member of the Story Dogs team in Canberra. The club was deeply inspired by the incredible work they are doing to support literacy accessibility in Canberra schools.

Story Dogs offers children weekly reading sessions with a dog and a volunteer handler throughout the school year. Volunteers are trained to go at the child’s pace, using the dog’s calming presence to help with reading comprehension.

The handler often speaks on behalf of the dog, creating an engaging environment. For example, they might say, “Simba doesn’t understand this page, can you help him?” This approach boosts the child’s confidence as they ‘teach’ the dog, fostering a supportive and shared learning experience.

Now, in partnership with the Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation (ALWF), the Lions Club of Canberra Valley is thrilled to announce the sponsorship of Story Dogs volunteer Tricia and her Maltese, Dude. The club joins 64 other Lions and Leos Clubs across the country in supporting this meaningful cause.

Story Dogs like Dude help kids with reading comprehension.

Tricia and Dude will be making a significant impact at Lyneham Primary School by providing weekly one-on-one reading sessions. These sessions offer a fun and safe space outside the classroom where children can read at their own pace. Learn more about Tricia and Dude’s work here.

Special thanks go to the Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation and its Community Grants program, whose generous support has enabled the Lions Club of Canberra Valley to sponsor Tricia and Dude for the coming years.

The club is also looking forward to the possibility of inviting Tricia and Dude to share firsthand stories about the outstanding work they’re doing with Lyneham Primary School in the near future.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Lions are calling on all Australians to stand with them in backing the life-changing work of the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation (ALCCRF).

Since 2009, the ALCCRF, with the help of Lions volunteers and their communities, has raised over $13 million to fund vital research into childhood cancer.

This includes the successful $4 million Lions project with Australia’s Garvan Institute which mapped the genome of over 400 children with cancer, to advance research and to guide personalised treatment.

The Zero Childhood Cancer Program has now expanded to enable all Australians with cancer aged 0-18 years being able to benefit from life-changing DNA sequencing.

“Childhood Cancer is a silent pandemic. Every year in Australia, almost 1,000 kids are diagnosed with cancers, many of them aggressive, hard to treat and with a high risk of mortality. Although the survival rates have improved greatly for some cancers, others still take a heavy toll on our young peoples’ lives,” says ALCCRF Chairperson Ron Skeen.

“This funding truly is changing and saving lives and we ask Australians to join us in ensuring more vital work continues in childhood cancer research.”

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

In recent years, the ALCCRF has also been supporting the vital work of Telethon Kids Cancer Centre (formally known as Telethon Kids Institute).

Over $1.2 million worth of funding over the past 5 years has enabled the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre to continue its leading research into childhood cancer – particularly in the area of cancer immunotherapy, which focuses on supercharging the body’s natural defenses to destroy cancer cells.

An additional $375,000 will be provided to the institute over the next three years.

Support has not only fueled groundbreaking research, but has also helped the ALCCRF secure one of Western Australia’s biggest-ever philanthropic donations.

The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation will contribute a transformative $135.5 million over the next decade to advance the foundation’s mission of improving outcomes for children with cancer.

This significant funding will build on the vital work being undertaken at the Cancer Centre and Perth Children’s Hospital.

Together, we can make a profound difference in the fight against childhood cancer. Find out more about the ALCCRF and how you can support their life-saving work here.

The Fraser Lions Club has introduced two yellow benches along a Hervey Bay esplanade as part of an initiative to combat mental health stigma.

These benches aim to facilitate meaningful conversations about mental health challenges and vulnerabilities.

Bruce Taylor, a long-standing Fraser Lions Club member, emphasized the importance of these conversations in understanding mental health.

Image captured for the Hervey Bay Advertiser

The benches are located in Otto Merchel Park and near Witt Street, offering a tranquil setting for discussion.

This initiative, known as ‘The Friendship Bench’, has seen similar benches appear worldwide, with Hervey Bay leading the way in Queensland.

Denis Love, a Fraser Lions member who lost a son to mental health issues, understands the lifesaving potential of open conversation.

Fraser Lions Club, established in 1986, has contributed over $25,000 to various causes this year and continues to support mental health initiatives in the region.

Original story in the Hervey Bay Advertiser.