The Narromine Lions Club has raised $10,000 for Rio’s Legacy, a charity dedicated to supporting children with life-limiting illnesses and their families while advocating for greater access to children’s hospice care across Australia.

More than 80 people attended a special fundraising luncheon at the Narromine Aero Club, where guests heard from Rio’s Legacy CEO, Ryan Fowler, and took part in a monster raffle featuring 24 prizes generously donated by local businesses and community members.

Ryan shared the deeply personal story behind the charity’s creation. His son, Rio, was born on 21 July 2016 and, after developing recurring gastro symptoms, was diagnosed with the extremely rare and terminal condition arterial vasculopathy. Rio spent his final days at Bear Cottage in Manly before passing away on 15 January 2018, just 40 days after becoming unwell.

Following their experience, Ryan and his wife Karen founded Rio’s Legacy to ensure every Australian family with a child facing a life-limiting illness has the option of receiving compassionate hospice care close to home. Today, the organisation supports families through fundraising, advocacy and partnerships with services that care for children with life-limiting conditions. With only three children’s hospices and respite centres operating across Australia, Rio’s Legacy continues to campaign for greater access to these vital services.

The luncheon was especially meaningful for Ryan. Before establishing Rio’s Legacy, he was a House Master at Scots College in Sydney. Many former students and their families attended the event to reconnect with Ryan and Karen after supporting them during Rio’s illness. It was also the first time Ryan had shared Rio’s story west of the Blue Mountains.

Despite ongoing drought conditions affecting the region, the Narromine community came together in remarkable fashion. Supported by neighbouring Lions Clubs, local businesses and generous residents, the club proudly presented Ryan with a cheque for $10,000.

Following the event, Ryan thanked the club for its outstanding support.

“The luncheon you hosted was simply superb. To connect with friends and family who know our story, all in support of families in need, is a true testament to you, your community and the Lions Club as a whole.

Your contribution helps us continue our mission to support families facing the unimaginable, and we are truly grateful for your kindness, generosity and community spirit.”

The Narromine Lions Club’s remarkable fundraising effort is a powerful example of Lions serving their community by bringing people together to support families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

As temperatures dropped across South Australia this winter, the Lions Club of Salisbury helped ensure local families wouldn’t have to face the cold alone.

On Sunday 28 June, the club hosted its annual Blanket Salisbury With Love Winter Appeal at the Mawson Centre in Mawson Lakes, bringing together residents, volunteers, businesses and community organisations to support people experiencing hardship.

The appeal invited the community to donate new and near-new quality blankets, along with non-perishable food items. Every donation stays within the Salisbury community, providing practical support to local families and individuals doing it tough during the winter months.

The success of the event was made possible through the dedication of Lions volunteers and the generous support of community partners including BAPS Charities, The Mustard Seed Family Project and Cos We Care. Throughout the day, Salisbury Lions members worked tirelessly to collect, sort and prepare donations so they could be distributed quickly to those who need them most.

Lions Club of Salisbury President and event organiser Lauren Brug said the appeal continues to showcase the incredible generosity of the local community.

“It is always inspiring to see our community come together to help complete strangers. Every blanket, every food item and every act of generosity makes a real difference to someone facing a difficult winter. This appeal is about more than donations. It’s about showing our neighbours they are not alone.”

With cost-of-living pressures continuing to impact many Australian families, initiatives like Blanket Salisbury With Love are more important than ever. A simple donation of a blanket or pantry staple can provide comfort, dignity and hope to someone experiencing a difficult time.

The annual appeal is a wonderful example of Lions in action, living the motto We Serve by responding to the needs of their local community with compassion and practical support.

The Lions Club of Salisbury extends its heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, donor and community partner who contributed to this year’s appeal. Together, they have once again shown that when a community comes together, even the smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.

Young leaders from across Australia gathered in Adelaide during the Lions Australia National Convention to compete in the 2026 Leo of the Year and Youth of the Year national finals. Representing their states after months of competition, finalists showcased outstanding leadership, community involvement and public speaking skills as they vied for the national titles.

Youth of the Year National Final

The Lions Youth of the Year program continues to recognise and develop young Australians who are making an impact through leadership, service and personal achievement.

This year’s national finalists were:

• Riley Broad (South Australia)
• Willow Cummins (Tasmania)
• Ryan Toole (New South Wales)
• Taihan Rahman (Victoria)
• Amelie Cockrem (Queensland)
• Isabella Chalker (Western Australia)

Following an outstanding competition, Isabella Chalker from Western Australia was named the 2026 Lions Youth of the Year Overall Winner and Public Speaking Winner.

Isabella impressed judges with her confidence, leadership, communication skills and thoughtful responses throughout the program, showcasing the qualities that have made Youth of the Year one of Australia’s premier youth development initiatives.

Congratulations to all finalists, who represented their states with professionalism, passion and dedication. Their achievements reflect the high calibre of young leaders participating in the program across the country.

Leo of the Year National Final

The Leo of the Year program celebrates the exceptional achievements of young people involved in the Leo movement, recognising leadership, service, personal development and community impact.

This year’s national finalists were:

• Zackery Tung (Victoria)
• Hugh J. Goodwin (Queensland)
• Charlie Byrne (Tasmania)
• Calvin Nguyen (Western Australia)
• Avinash Mohta (New South Wales)

The competition showcased the outstanding calibre of young leaders involved in Leo Clubs across Australia, with finalists demonstrating a strong commitment to service, leadership and making a difference in their communities.

Congratulations to Avinash Mohta from Sydney, New South Wales, proudly sponsored by the Lions Club of Parramatta, who was named the 2026 Leo of the Year National Winner.

Avinash also received the Public Speaking Award after delivering an outstanding performance throughout the competition. His achievement reflects his leadership, passion for service and dedication to the Leo movement.

Congratulations to all finalists, who represented the Leo movement with excellence and demonstrated the incredible impact young people are making through service and leadership.

Developing Australia’s Next Generation of Leaders

The Lions Youth of the Year and Leo of the Year programs have long played an important role in developing confident, capable young leaders. Through interviews, public speaking and leadership assessments, participants are challenged to grow their skills while exploring ways they can make meaningful contributions to their communities.

The national finals in Adelaide highlighted the exceptional talent, character and commitment of young people from across Australia. While only one winner can be named in each program, every finalist demonstrated the leadership, integrity and community spirit that these initiatives seek to foster.

Lions Australia congratulates Isabella Chalker, Avinash Mohta and all national finalists on their achievements and thanks the many Lions and Leo volunteers who continue to support these valuable youth development programs.

What began as a practical response to a global crisis has evolved into a heartfelt community project – one that is quite literally stitching comfort, dignity and hope into the lives of women and children.

During the height of COVID-19, members of the Raymond Terrace Lions Club turned their attention to making colourful, reusable face masks. The effort was centred at Shirley’s Woodberry Drapery, owned by Linda Campbell, sister of Lion Judith Bee. It felt only natural for the local business to play a role in giving back during such a challenging time.

As masks were produced in large numbers, so too were leftover scraps – small pieces of 100% cotton fabric that might otherwise have been discarded. But instead of heading to landfill, these “crumbs” were carefully saved, waiting for their next purpose.

That purpose has now taken shape in the form of crumb quilts.

Club members, alongside volunteers from the wider community, have come together to transform these fabric remnants into 8½-inch quilt blocks. Additional materials have been generously donated by Linda and other community members, turning the initiative into a true collective effort.

The quilts are being created to support the Raymond Terrace Neighbourhood Centre, which will oversee a new women’s refuge set to open in late 2026. The vision is simple yet powerful: when women and their children arrive at the refuge, they will be able to choose a quilt of their own – something to bring comfort in a difficult time, and to take with them as they move forward.

It’s a project that spans generations. Volunteers range in age from 20 to 94, each contributing in their own way – whether sewing, ironing, measuring, counting blocks, or packing kits. Every task, no matter how small, helps bring another quilt to life.

Support is always welcome. Experienced sewists and enthusiastic beginners alike are encouraged to get involved. For those short on time, there are opportunities to contribute from home after a quick visit to learn the techniques and collect a kit.

Each Wednesday from 10am to 3pm, Linda generously opens her Woodberry premises as a creative hub, where volunteers gather to assemble quilts and connect over a shared purpose.

This project is a reminder that even the smallest pieces – of fabric, of time, of effort – can come together to create something meaningful. In the hands of Lions and their community, scraps are becoming symbols of care, resilience and new beginnings.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Judith Bee on 0427 013 233 or Linda Campbell on 02 4966 2248, or reach out to Shirley’s Woodberry Drapery.

What happens when you gather passionate young leaders, a stack of bread, and a shared mission to make a difference? In Victoria, it looked a lot like energy, connection… and 4,000 sandwiches disappearing in record time.

The Leo-led event brought together Leos, Lions and volunteers from across the state for a day that blended leadership, connection and hands-on service. While the morning showcased the talent and voice of young leaders, it was the afternoon’s service project that truly captured the spirit of what it means to be a Leo.

A National Program Making a Local Difference

The focus of the day was the incredible Eat Up Australia program. What began in Shepparton as a small, local effort to support one school has grown into a national initiative helping students across the country who might otherwise go without lunch.

For Leos, it was more than just making sandwiches. It was about being part of something bigger, something that delivers immediate, tangible impact in communities.

A Stadium Transformed

Following the morning activities, the group moved to a local basketball stadium that had been completely transformed. The floor was lined with carpet squares, tables stretched across the space, and hundreds of loaves of bread stood ready like ingredients for a very ambitious recipe.

Behind the scenes, volunteers had spent hours preparing the space. What followed was a masterclass in teamwork.

With more than 250 Leos, Lions and volunteers working side by side, over 4,000 cheese sandwiches were made in just 25 minutes, beating the original target. It was fast-paced, high-energy and driven by a shared purpose: ensuring students have access to a simple but essential meal.

More Than Just Sandwiches

Moments like these highlight the power of Leo Clubs. The Eat Up Australia project wasn’t just about food. It was about connection, leadership and showing young people the impact they can have when they step forward and get involved.

Throughout the day, Leos from different clubs came together, many meeting for the first time, forming new friendships and strengthening the Leo network across the state. Even a group of young people from Carisbrook, who are yet to form their own Leo Club, attended to see what it was all about, and left inspired to get involved.

Backed by a Strong Support Network

The event was organised by the Victorian Leo Council, with support from Lions clubs including Melbourne Next Gen, Melbourne Chinese and District V1-4. The presence and involvement of District Governor Samantha further demonstrated the strong backing Leos have from the wider Lions community.

A Glimpse of What’s Possible

While the Leo of the Year competition and leadership workshop earlier in the day showcased the confidence and capability of young leaders, the Eat Up Australia project showed their impact in action.

It’s one thing to talk about service. It’s another to roll up your sleeves and deliver it at scale, in under half an hour.

And if this day is anything to go by, the future of service in Lions is in very capable hands.