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Read for Ukraine - Glenside Lions Club Bookmart

Read for Ukraine – Lions support Ukrainian Refugees

June 3, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

In times of crisis Lions Clubs do what they can to make a difference and that’s exactly what local volunteers are doing right now to support the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

The Glenside Lions Club run the Glenside Bookmart, known as the largest and most loved second hand bookstore in South Australia, and have generously offered their entire takings for the month of June to the Ukrainian appeal.

The target for June’s book sales and resulting donation is $20,000.

Glenside Lions President, John Standingford says, “the conflict in Ukraine has driven millions of people from their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis that is forcing families to search for safety and security.”

“We can’t send them weapons and ammunition, but the money we send will buy immediate relief items for those who have fled Putin’s onslaught – such as food, clothing, hygiene supplies, sleeping bags and medicine.”

The expanded children’s section at the Glenside Bookmart is designed to encourage children to explore and read with no pressure to buy. Prices of children’s books are typically $1− $3.

The Glenside Lions encourage all South Australians to come and browse the pages, turn a leaf and buy a second hand book, whether it be for your child, yourself or as a gift, there are many to choose from in every category!

The Glenside Bookmart is located at the northern end of Kennaway Street, Tusmore and is open Friday and Monday from 10am – 1pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm.

In addition to local Lions projects and initiatives in Australia, the Lions Clubs International Foundation has now provided over US $1,153,260 in grants to support Ukrainian refugees who have crossed their borders. Lions in Ukraine have also received LCIF grants to address the critical needs of people who remain in the country.

To find out more about how you can help support Ukrainian refugees with the Glenside Bookmart, click here.

Tewantin Noosa Lions Club Celebrates Milestone By Helping Those In Need

May 11, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

To celebrate Tewantin Noosa Lions Club’s 55^th anniversary, the Club has partnered with LiveLife Pharmacies throughout Queensland to provide personal care packs to those in need.

Over the next two months, with the support of Queensland Police Domestic Violence Officers, a range of these care packs will be packed by Lions and distributed through various Lions Clubs, community groups, and Councils.

The Tewantin Noosa Lions Club Co-ordinator for the project, Michael Roach, is excited to work with LiveLife Pharmacies again.

“Our Tewantin Noosa Lions Club is excited about this partnership with LiveLife Pharmacy and the involvement of their many Pharmacies throughout Queensland. From our earlier partnership some years back, our Club received many emotional emails from recipients expressing gratitude for the items received when funds and crisis had impacted daily living for them and their children. We are also seeking other community-minded people to come and join us with these rewarding Lions Projects,” said Roach.

The CEO of LiveLife Pharmacies, Clint Coker is also looking forward to reigniting the partnership.

“I welcome this partnership with Lions, given the fantastic work they do in the many communities they serve throughout Queensland. This is LiveLife Pharmacy’s second joint venture with Lions and we are very happy to again contribute to their worthy humanitarian assistance program on behalf of not just the communities we serve directly, but those most in need.

It’s a comfort knowing that, in turn, if our immediate community was in need, Lions Clubs across Queensland would reciprocate. We would like to thank our suppliers, and participating LiveLife Pharmacy stores throughout Queensland, who together donated over $30,000 worth of products to this worthy cause. LiveLife Pharmacy is proud to support various community organisations and initiatives as a part of its Community Support Program,” said Croker.

To learn more about this project, you can visit Tewantin Noosa Lions Club’s Facebook page here.

You can find more information on LiveLife Pharmacies and locate your nearest store here.

Rosewood Lions Club Give Back to the Elderly

May 11, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Rosewood Lions Club have worked with Cabanda Care to introduce Emergency Medical Information Booklets to the homes of more than 60 residents.

Lion Tanya Johnson, a resident of Cabanda Care’s Independent Units herself, co-ordinated the project.

“I was thrilled to find out that more than 60 residents now have the Emergency Medical Information Booklets filled out, on display in their homes and ready, just in case of an emergency,” said Johnson.

Project Co-Ordintator, Lion Tanya Johnson with Rosewood Ambulance Officer, Monica

These booklets act as a one-stop-shop for an individual’s medical records and personal information, including current medication and emergency contacts. In the instance of an emergency, the Emergency Medical Information Booklet provides paramedics access to all of the information that they require quickly, in order to best treat the patient.

Over 20 years ago, Lions Australia, Rotary and South Australia Ambulance Service combined to launch the Emergency Medical Information Booklet. Since then, over 1.4 million books have been distributed across Australia and they have saved many lives.

Members of the Rosewood Lions Club will visit the residents bi-annually to ensure that all medical information within the booklets is kept up to date.

You can find out more about Rosewood Lions Club here.

Gilbert Valley Lions Club Supports Local School

April 7, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

After three years of hard work, 20 refurbished mountain bikes and new helmets are now available for the the students of Riverton & District High School in South Australia. This has been made possible by a joint effort between the school, Gilbert Valley Lions Club and Bike SA, with funding support from the Australian Lions Foundation (ALF).

Fitness, low muscle-tone and opportunity for personal risk taking continue to be identified challenges that underpin the school’s HPE program. Short mountain bike programs have been undertaken in the past with excellent outcomes for fitness, balance, and enjoyment for the outdoors through the use of the bike trails adjacent to the school. With the arrival of these bikes, students will take part in a basic bike maintenance course to understand how to maintain and use the mountain bikes.

Students testing out the school’s new mountain bikes. Image: RDHS

This project touches many aspects of the Lions Ethos; supporting local community groups, supporting the youth, and continuing to create a circular economy, as suggested through the Lions Environment Portfolio. The funding assistance offered by the ALF also embraces the funds donated by Lions Members Australia-wide.

Special thanks to Patrick Williams from the Gilbert Valley Lions Club, Russell Miatke from Bike SA, the Australian Lions Foundation and Diane Allen from the school on a huge combined effort to make this project a reality.

The school can’t wait to see their students use these bikes over the coming years, exploring some of the local bike trails right on their doorstep.

Local Lions volunteers supporting Diabetic Ukrainian refugees

April 5, 2022/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

Diabetes is a key global focus for Lions Clubs and volunteers in Australia are coming together to support people all over the world including Ukrainian refugees with Diabetes.

An initiative led by the Lions Australia Diabetes Foundation and Type 1 Diabetes Foundation is packaging up medical supplies to send to Ukrainian refugees with Diabetes.

Diabetes Care Packs Sent to Poland for Ukrainian Refugees

Backpacks containing self-care supplies ready to send to Ukrainian refugees with Diabetes

Lions Australia’s National Diabetes Coordinator Pat Mills says the packs with vital supplies are being sent to refugees in Poland.

“At Lions, we are dedicated to doing what we can to help those in need both in our local communities and globally. Medical supplies are vital for Diabetics and we know there are many displaced Ukrainians that are in desperate need of supplies so our volunteers here in Australia are packaging up little medical kits to send to refugees. To date, we have sent over 200 packs to Poland.”

“Many of us have been watching the devastation in the Ukraine and want to do something to help. It’s a simple project for us but we are providing vital medical support,” says Pat.

67 care-packs ready to send to Poland for Ukrainian refugees

Members of the Lions Club of Shepparton have been assisting on the project, collecting supplies and packing bags to ship to Poland.

In a symbolic gesture, Club President Patsy Lansdown has organised for 2000 paper cranes to be made; inspired by the story of Japanese girl Sadako Sasaki, who developed leukemia after an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II.

Along with the care packs, the folded creations will be taken to Poland as a symbol of peace, hope and courage.

Anyone wishing to help support the project can contact and donate to the Lions Australia Diabetes Foundation.

Belmont Lions Club Support Local Homeless Community

March 11, 2022/in HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Many of us take basic hygiene for granted. Belmont Lions Clubs have launched a new initiative to help those who aren’t so privileged.

The Club have recently launched a mobile laundry and shower facility based at Gateway Church in Pelican, available to anyone who needs it.

The service is funded by Belmont Lions Club who raised the money through BBQs and other fundraising campaigns.

In addition to free laundry and shower facilities, volunteers at the Church often provide visitors with food bundles and fresh veggies.

“Our mission of curing hunger and proving warmth, shelter and food all comes together with this project,” said longtime member of the Club, Deidre Schaefer.

The van hopes to bridge the social divide by improving access to basic hygiene for those experiencing homelessness.

Shower and Laundry Van Belmont Lions Club

Deidre Schaefer from Belmont Lions Club with local government members

Currently, it is estimated that there are over 800 people experiencing homelessness in the Newcastle area.

The Club were also able to purchase a generator using a grant awarded by the NSW government, meaning that the van can operate as a mobile service across the country.

“Anyone in need can call us and we are there” said Schaefer.

To learn more about the project, click HERE.

Lions’ Second-hand Furniture Store Reopens in Clare

March 11, 2022/in DONATIONS, HUMANITARIAN, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

The Clare District Lions Club are celebrating the reopening of their second-hand furniture shed. The Club donates proceeds from the furniture sales to several local organisations, as well as donating items of furniture to those in need.

Club members, Doug Booth and Rob Royal write more:

The Clare Lions Furniture Shed has reopened after the Festive season break.

The Shed, located at 2 Harriett Street, will celebrate its third anniversary in June and its success continues to go from strength to strength.

In that time, the shed has donated more than $55,000 from furniture sales to the nearby communities of Blyth, Burra, Auburn and Watervale.

Organisations such as Operation Flinders Foundation and The Wool, Wine and Wheat Country Education Foundation have benefitted from the Shed’s proceeds. In addition, Clare Hospital has received a diabetes testing machine, as well as items of furniture.

The Shed’s history goes back to 2017 when the local thrift shop stopped accepting furniture because the items were often large and heavy, making them difficult to transport and store.

“Almost immediately, there was an increase in the amount of unwanted secondhand furniture being disposed of at the Local Council Waste Transfer Station,” said Shed manager, Dave Simpson, “besides (wasting) furniture, it led to higher volumes going to landfill, which increased costs for Council and, by default, ratepayers.”

The idea of starting up a secondhand furniture shop then developed within the Clare District Lions Club who, after researching secondhand ventures by other groups, decided to give it a go.

With the generous support of a local family, the Club gained access to a large warehouse and office in a prime location, with no lease payment required for the first six months.

“This was enough time to see if would be a success or not,” assistant Shed manager Chris Ballantyne said.

Using a trailer purchased with a grant and members’ personal utes for collections and deliveries, the operation took off.

Officially opened by the Local, State and Federal politicians in July 2019 with great coverage by local media, the Lions Furniture Shed quickly became the place to take unwanted, quality furniture and white goods.

“All items are sold at very reasonable prices, ensuring a speedy turnover,” said Simpson.

Items from the Shed have been donated to those in need through local community care groups such as Uniting Country SA.

“Sometimes (we donated) just one or two items, but on a number of occasions it has been for a whole house; lounge, dining, beds and fridges for families—mostly single mums with children needing emergency accommodation,” said Allan Mayfield, President of Clare District Lions Club.

Throughout 2020, the store was closed for several months due to Covid-19; however, emergency donations and some collections continued. During this period, rent payments were kindly frozen by the owner of the property.

Since reopening, sales have been consistent. So much so that the Club recently purchased a quality secondhand 4×4 ute, removing the need for members to use their own vehicles.

The Furniture Shed is now a big revenue raiser for the club, but it is more than that.

“We have helped many through our donations of furniture. We have especially helped those unable to buy new furniture, such as those starting out on their first home (and) all local ratepayers by reducing land fill costs to the Council, as well as helping our environment,” said Mayfield

“In the store we also sell Lions cakes and have our Recycle for Sight collection bin. It is our Lion’s Den,” added Simpson.

Volunteering at the shed has become an option for those unemployed or as an alternative to school. In most cases, working with a great mob of Lions and other volunteers has helped them develop the skills and confidence to pursue paid employment.

The Furniture Shed is open 9:30am to 3:30pm on Fridays and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays. To learn more click HERE.

Diversity, Inclusion & Lions Clubs

December 16, 2021/in HUMANITARIAN, NEWS, OUR STORIES /by Elise Murrell

Does your Lions club pass the diversity/inclusion test? Tony Fawcett meets a Lion hellbent on changing the way others think of us

Is your Lions club diverse and inclusive?

Do your members all basically look alike, think alike and act alike?

Do you welcome varying opinions?

Or maybe you sit on your hands, run with the status quo, stick with what you know and are comfortable with?

These are the sort of questions Alex Coates has been posing a lot recently.

You see in a Lions first, Alex, President of South Australia’s Lions Club of Salisbury and a GMT team member, has been appointed by C1 District to serve as a Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

His appointment follows the pioneering move by that district in ratifying a diversity statement, a diversity policy and diversity bylaws.

It’s believed to be a first for an Australian Lions district and follows the defeat earlier this year of a proposal by the MD201 Council of Governors at the Convention in Canberra for a national diversity policy.

That proposal failed largely because some voters believe clubs already demonstrate sound diversity and inclusion practices, spelled out in the National Code of Conduct.

For his part, Alex believes the diversity/inclusion message still needs to be spread wider, promoted in the wider community.

His C1 brief is to encourage diversity while reaching out to groups unrepresented in Lions.

While to some it might sound like Big Brother is watching, Alex assures there is no heavy handedness in C1’s new policies.

He believes Lions is already “quite diverse in parts” yet, feels members and clubs can benefit from an awareness of what more can be done.

“It’s just about spreading the message that if your club can embrace diversity and inclusion it would be a good thing,” he says. “I guess it’s about going through club by club and making sure people have got the information.”

Club independence is always paramount, he says, adding that Lions should not “feel obligated to go out and recruit people that absolutely meet different demographics, purely so they can tick a box.”

“It’s certainly not saying to any club you must have diverse members and you must have this and you must have that. It’s about saying ‘just welcome everybody that comes through – they might not be for your club (and if they are not) then refer them to a neighbourhood club. Then it will be positive in bringing in more members to Lions.”

Diversity and inclusion involve far more than seeking members of a multi-cultural background, he contends.

“It could be someone with a learning or intellectual disability but who has the ability to serve. It could be someone from the LGBTIQA+ community. Yeah, it could be a whole lot of people who might look at Lions clubs and say it’s ‘just a load of old white men’ when in reality it’s not.”

Making Lions clubs more publicly visible as being inclusive should be an aim, he contends.

“I certainly believe you can’t be what you can’t see. If you’re someone out there who is a culturally diverse person and you buy a sausage at a barbecue where no-one is culturally diverse, then I guess you may think ‘maybe that’s not for me and I won’t look into that’.”

“Whereas if there is somebody (culturally diverse like you) then you might think ‘oh, okay, clearly it’s an organisation that is welcoming to everybody so maybe I’ll look into it more’.”

Accepting of all

Alex is well credentialed for such a role.
A community liaison officer for South Australian and federal governments since 2005 and a former deputy mayor of the City of Salisbury, he has been passionately involved in community affairs since school days. Currently undertaking two post-graduate studies, he is involved with about 10 community organisations and admits his life is happily hectic. Born in Greenwich, London, he has lived in Adelaide since he moved there with his parents when 13.

Keenly involved in the Rainbow movement and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual (LGBTIQA+) community, particularly in the areas of diversity and mental health, he facilitated Rainbow movement Lions and others taking part in the 2021 Adelaide Pride march.

To his great disappointment, the march was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. It would have been the first time South Australian Lions were officially allowed to bear the association logo in such a march, highlighting the fact “Lions is a diverse organisation accepting of all”.

As a compromise, District C1 joined with other organisations in producing videos of support, which were played at a live event and online.
Notably, C1’s video contribution was the only one coming from a service club.

Salisbury club’s diversity statement

We, the members of the Lions Club of Salisbury respect and acknowledge the diverse community we serve including the traditional owners, the Kaurna people, Salisbury residents from across the world and those born in this country.

We also respect and acknowledge community members with other differences including but not limited to differences of ability, belief, gender identity, outlook and sexuality.

We agree to treat everyone equally with kindness and through our service improve our community.

A DIVERSITY MESSAGE
“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”

– Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a serving Lion

A story of hope

October 12, 2021/in HUMANITARIAN, NEWS /by Elise Murrell

One of the positive things to come out of this lockdown craziness is the opportunity that an increasing use of technology gives us to meet amazing people.

One of our Lions, who is very interested in helping the Afghan refugees that supported our defence forces, introduced me to Doug Abdiel, an ex-US Marine who now lives and works in Australia. Like our Lions, Doug saw a need and rather than sit back, decided to do something about it.

Doug spent most of his career as a military officer which took him to Afghanistan and Haiti. After coming to Australia with his Australian wife, he felt compelled to reach out to the people he had worked with in those countries who were fortunate enough to make it to Australia. With the help of his very understanding wife, he purchased a paper tube manufacturing company in Melbourne that has employed 25 refugees in the last four years and put over $1M into their pockets.

Although this is not a Lions project, I thought it may be of interest to some Lions members who are close to this issue.

Through the Not-for-profit organisation, “Purpose and Growth”, Doug’s project has three elements to help Afghans that now call Australia home.

Firstly, they have an initiative to provide a simple, discounted laptop to each new family, simple technology to help the family engage with the community for education, business and support.

Secondly, to help newly arrived refugees to get a job. They provide free, multilingual induction courses, and Purpose and Growth will cover 75% of the cost of certifications required for employment (e.g. forklift tickets).

Thirdly, Purpose and Growth directly helps refugees through employment in a small paper factory in Victoria.

Purpose and growth would love to tell this story of how they employed 25 refugees in the last four years (read here in The Australian). This might be a great opportunity for the next online meeting of your club.

Rob Oerlemans

Executive Officer

The countdown is on – Lions volunteers are celebrating 75 years of always being there for the community

September 15, 2021/in ENVIRONMENT, HUMANITARIAN, NEWS /by Rob Oerlermans

From bushfires and floods and even the spread of COVID-19, Lions volunteers are always there for the community and this is the theme as Lions Australia gears up for its 75-year anniversary next year.

With just 12 months to go, the countdown is officially on and volunteers across Australia are kickstarting celebrations in their communities. In coming months many clubs will be hosting special events and the organisation is aiming to plant at least 75 commemorative gardens across the country before the official anniversary in September 2022.

Since the first club was formed in Lismore in 1947, Lions Australia has grown to be the largest service club organisation in Australia, with over 1200 clubs and 25,000 members giving back through an array of community-based programs and initiatives.

Some Lions are on a mission to cure childhood cancer and Alzheimer’s, others to help support those affected by droughts and floods and many are working together to make their local community a better place to live.

Lions Australia CEO Rob Oerlemans says the anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate the impact of Lions over the past 75 years but also recognise the growth and evolution of the organisation as it looks ahead to the next 75 years and beyond.

“From drought, fires and floods to the spread of COVID-19, our country has faced many challenges in recent years, which has really highlighted the power of community service.”

“We are so proud of what we have achieved to date and are well positioned to make an even bigger difference in the future.”

“Our goal at Lions is that the demographic makeup of our clubs matches the demography of the community in which they operate and our organisation has really adapted and evolved over the years. We’re so proud to have a growing number of speciality clubs across Australia ranging from young Leo clubs, virtual clubs, ethnic clubs, special interest and autism clubs and an incredible range of projects and foundations making a real difference in the community.”

“Many clubs are planning special events in their communities in coming months. We are delighted to see so many jumping on board with our 75 commemorative garden project. At Lions, we pride ourselves on doing our bit to nurture our local, national and global environments. It’s one of Lions’ five key global focus areas.”

For anyone in the community interested in doing some volunteering, Rob says it’s a great time to join Lions.

“If you see your local Lions volunteers out and about in coming months make sure you stop by, says hello and see how you might be able to get involved. We know there are many people

out there looking to make a difference in the community right now, and it’s a great time to join us,” says Rob Oerlemans.

Lions volunteers pay annual membership fees to cover admin costs which means 100% of funds donated to your local Lions Club goes directly towards the cause.

Does your Lions club pass the diversity/inclusion test? Tony Fawcett meets a Lion hellbent on changing the way others think of us

Accepting of all

Salisbury club’s diversity statement

A DIVERSITY MESSAGE “We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”

– Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a serving Lion

A DIVERSITY MESSAGE
“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”