NEWS - Lions Clubs Australia

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.

Lions volunteers say thank you to our COVID Healthcare Heroes

September 1, 2021/in HEALTH, HUMANITARIAN, NEWS /by Rob Oerlermans

Frontline health staff are working under extreme conditions right now, but local Lions volunteers are on a mission to recognise our COVID-19 Healthcare Heroes and they’re asking for the community’s help!

Coogee Lions Club volunteers are working closely with Prince of Wales Hospital to recognise and reward nurses in the COVID ward on a weekly basis.

Healthcare Heroes will be acknowledged for their hard work and will each be presented with a special certificate of thanks and a $50 shopping voucher.

Coogee Lions Club Co-President Sari-Elle Kraemer says the project is a wonderful way for the community to come together and show healthcare workers how much they are appreciated at this difficult time.

“Lions are local volunteers passionate about doing what we can to help others and make a difference in the community. Right now, we’re on a mission to recognise the hardworking frontline healthcare workers who are going above and beyond to look after the community during COVID-19.”

“Many are working longer and more frequent shifts in physically challenging environments, having to perform their role in double layered Personal Protective Equipment and endure the stress and trauma of increasing case numbers.”

“We know there are many others like us who would like to say thank you, so we invite the community to help us. We’ve set up a Gofund me page and each week we would love to give our Healthcare Heroes a $50 shopping voucher or gift to show our appreciation for their incredible work. We encourage the community to jump online and make a donation. The more funds we receive the more Healthcare Heroes we can thank.”

For more information on how you can help thank our COVID-19 Healthcare Heroes visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/coogee-lions-healthcare-heroes

Every dollar raised will go to the Healthcare Heroes.

Lions continue to go above and beyond to help the community through COVID-19

August 24, 2021/in HUMANITARIAN, NEWS /by Rob Oerlermans

Whilst the spread of the highly contagious Delta strain of COVID has changed how community service groups meet and fundraise, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed and that’s the determination of Australia’s volunteers to make a difference.

CEO of Lions Australia, Rob Oerlemans says he is delighted to see how volunteers across the country are continuing to support their communities through COVID-19.

“At Lions we pride ourselves on the work we do to help others and make our communities better places to live. Right now, our service is needed more than ever.”

“From raffles, sausage sizzles and trivia nights, to environmental work and supporting the deaf, blind and vulnerable, our volunteers are traditionally very hands on and involved in their communities. It’s been wonderful to see so many of our clubs adapting to support each other and their communities through the health pandemic. This continues today, even through the lockdowns and restrictions resulting from the spread of the highly contagious Delta strain of COVID.”

“Lions volunteers across the country have been reaching out to those less vulnerable in their community and offering to purchase and deliver essential goods. We have been seeing many clubs supporting local health care workers through cooking and delivering food hampers to hospitals and vaccination hubs. Some clubs in Western Australia have also been brightening the lives of children in hotel quarantine through delivering care packs with toys and books to keep them entertained.”

“Our Lions volunteers here in Australia have also been doing what they can to support those in need overseas. The Sydney Sri Lankan Lions Club have been doing some incredible work. To date the club has donated over 20 Airvo2 Highflow Oxygen Machines to hospitals in Sri Lanka to help with the country’s fight against COVID.”

Lions encourages anyone interested in getting involved to consider joining their local Lions Club.

“It’s a very rewarding experience to give back to the community and help others in need. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people. Some Lions clubs for example may not be in a position to offer assistance to the community right now but they are determined to keep in touch to support one another. This is one of the many benefits of being a volunteer in a service organisation like ours – you meet other likeminded people in your community and across the global Lions network who often become your closest friends,” says Rob Oerlemans.

COVID EMERGENCY – Indonesia & Sri Lanka! How you can help through LCIF.

August 12, 2021/in HEALTH, HUMANITARIAN, NEWS /by admin

HELP our Lions in Indonesia during the pandemic

Although we are all challenged during this pandemic, we are aware of the very dire straits being faced by our colleagues in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In Indonesia today there were almost 40,000 new cases with over half a million active cases. Our Lions Clubs in Indonesia and Sri Lanka are doing the best they can to support their communities but they need our help.

Lions Clubs International Foundation has made available a special process to enable clubs to dedicate donations to assist Indonesia and Sri Lanka during this emergency, in the same way that Disaster Grants operate. In order to ensure that your donation goes to assist Lions in these countries, please follow this special process.

1. Make your donation to LCIF through your Cabinet Treasurer. (Donations to the Lions Australia Fund for LCIF do not apply)
2. Advise your Cabinet Treasurer AND your District LCIF Coordinator that the donation is specifically to assist Indonesia or Sri Lanka during the COVID crisis.

These specific donations will be eligible for Campaign 100, Melvin Jones Fellowship and Lions Share recognition. Don’t forget that a donation of US$1,000 can also be used to acknowledge one of your own members through the LCIF 201 Heroes for LCIF campaign.

LCIF will reserve the funds for Lions in these countries who can apply for matching grants to purchase medical equipment, personal protective equipment and other support.

That’s all you need to do and if you need guidance, your District LCIF Coordinator is always happy to help you. You will find them on page 14 of your Lions directory!

Brisbane teenager recognised on global stage as winner of Lions Clubs International Peace Essay Contest

August 10, 2021/in NEWS, PEACE CONTEST, YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES /by admin

The theme of the 2019-20 Peace Essay contest was “Peace Through Service” and Year 8 Brisbane student, Joshua Wood has taken home the grand prize. The announcement was made as part of Lions Day with the United Nations.

The Brisbane Camp Hill Carindale Lions Club sponsored the local contest that gave Joshua the opportunity to participate in this global event and share his words of peace with the world.

Does your Club have a Superhero worth acknowledging?

August 4, 2021/in NEWS /by admin

Does your club have a Superhero or two working with you? Someone who deserves a little more recognition? Don’t forget you can nominate them for the 201 Heroes for LCIF campaign.

As part of the Campaign 100 program, Lions Australia is looking for 201 Heroes within Australia and Papua New Guinea. Lions nominated by clubs will be recognised by:

Presentation of a Melvin Jones Fellowship or a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship.
Acknowledgement on our Lions Australia website on a dedicated page that highlights the contributions of the Lion.
Acknowledgement at the District Convention.

Nominate a hero now!

Take a look at our LCIF Heroes so far…

Yarrawonga Lions sew over 40,000 turbans for cancer patients

July 28, 2021/in HEALTH, NEWS, OUR STORIES /by admin

The Yarrawonga Lions Club in Victoria meet every Tuesday to sew, pack and dispatch turbans for cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.

Since the Club began the project in 2015, they have made over 40,000 turbans which have been distributed to oncology units all over Australia, and some overseas.

The project was founded by Club member, Debbie Van Corler, a cancer survivor herself. The club affectionately refers to Debbie as the ‘Turban Mum’.

Club President Joan Tufvesson says “The group is dedicated and set a very high standard as the recipients, who are going through a dark stage of their lives, deserve the best. Although their task has a serious element to it, this is not reflected in the ambiance of the room on Tuesdays, where there is lots of laughter and witty banter that makes the day a joy for all that attend.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Turban Angels have utilised their sewing skills to make face masks as another fundraising means for the turban project.

Find out more about the Made With Love Free Chemotherapy Turbans.

Lions club project – ‘Elsie’s Retreat’ – brings first ever palliative care unit to Gosford

July 27, 2021/in HEALTH, NEWS /by admin

The NSW Central Coast has its first dedicated in-patient palliative care unit, thanks to the dedicated members of The Lions Club of Wyoming East Gosford Centennial.

Having identified the need for a dedicated palliative care unit almost 12 years ago, the Elsie’s Project began when much-loved Central Coast resident, Elsie Green, was diagnosed with breast cancer. At just 51 years of age, Elsie was not able to secure a hospice bed and sadly lost her battle with cancer while living in a nursing home. Elsie was passionate about the need for a dedicated palliative care unit, and her friends at the Lions Club promised they would do their best to make it happen.

The club spent eight years campaigning, fundraising and rallying support from the community before the NSW government finally allocated a space to make their dream a reality – the former maternity ward at Gosford Hospital.

As well as their own fundraising and community donations of approximately $300,000, the club received a $130,000 grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).

The unit officially opened in April 2021, with 10 patient beds (with the ability to expand to 14), sofa beds for family/carers, two large family rooms, a lounge area with kitchenette facilities, a children’s area and an outdoor deck. Eslie’s Retreat was opened by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and local MP Adam Crouch.

Lions supporting vital research in Rheumatism and Arthritis

July 27, 2021/in NEWS, RESEARCH & INNOVATION /by admin

1 in 6 Australians are currently living with arthritis. That’s almost 4 million people and it’s expected to be 5.4 million by 2030.

Rheumatism and arthritis can affect anyone at any age, and can cause significant pain and disability.

The Lions Rheumatism and Arthritis Medical Foundation is on a mission to support research to help control and possibly eliminate rheumatic and arthritic diseases.

With the help of Lions Clubs and their communities right across Australia, the Lions Rheumatism and Arthritis Medical Research Foundation has donated over $460,000 to rheumatism and arthritis research.

The Foundation has worked closely with Monash University providing pieces of equipment to help fund vital work. The Foundation has also sponsored a PHD student for 3 years.

Recently a $10,000 donation was made to Monash University to purchase equipment for the Psoriatic Arthritis team.

For more information on The Lions Rheumatism and Arthritis Medical Foundation visit http://www.lionsrheumatismfoundation.org.au

Lions Alzheimer’s Foundation supports new children’s book to better explain dementia

July 26, 2021/in NEWS, RESEARCH & INNOVATION /by admin

One of the fastest growing diseases in Australia, Alzheimer’s is now the second largest cause of death.

Research into the causes and prevention of Alzheimer’s has never been more important and Lions Alzheimer’s Foundation is committed to raising awareness and the much-needed funds to support this vital work.

The Foundation has recently teamed up with celebrity chef Maggie Beer to contribute to a national breakthrough book: A children’s picture book about living well with dementia.

Dancing with Memories is written by Sally Yule and illustrated by Cheryl Orsini.

Professor Martins was West Australian of the Year 2010 and Maggie Beer was Senior Australian of the Year. They collaborated on the successful Recipes for Life book, published in 2019.

In the book, Professor Martins provides expert advice with a dementia Q&A and Maggie contributes recipes for healthy children’s food.

The book is available at: www.dancingwithmemories.com.au or email sally@dancingwithmemories.com.au 

Part proceeds go to the Lions Alzheimer’s Research Foundation and the Maggie Beer Foundation, raising funds to support vital research in aged care and dementia.