Lions Club celebrates 20 Year Milestone
Originating as an Apple Users Computer Club in 1984, the Apple-MAQ Lions Club from Brisbane’s East has evolved into a dynamic community service organisation over the span of 20 years.
In April 2024, they not only celebrated their anniversary but also a very special milestone for one of their biggest projects.
The Club’s transformation can be largely credited to the innovative thinking of the late founder, David Phillips OAM, who envisioned a platform for aiding the disabled and disadvantaged.
The Club’s journey led to the creation of Computer Aid for Disabled and Disadvantaged (CADD) in 1992, which provided refurbished used computers to those in need.
The concept expanded to include sending these resources, along with school equipment, overseas as well.
In time, the Club formally became the Apple-MAQ Lions Club and grew to a membership of 20.
The Club evolved further with their Lions Aid & Relief Centre (LARC), a non-profit that supplies quality education and health equipment to local and overseas communities in need.
Remarkable efforts include distributing $5.5 million worth of new clothing and bedding during the 2011 QLD Floods and assisting recovery efforts in Tonga following a volcano eruption and tsunami.
They’ve provided crucial support during North QLD cyclones and floods too.
The Club proudly hosts the Work for the Dole program, offering participants a chance to discover their interests and gain experience in areas like computer skills, woodworking, painting, and repairing medical aids.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the Club shared their achievement of sending over 220 containers of aid locally and overseas.
The event was attended by a diverse group, including current and past members, Lions and non-Lions volunteers, equipment donors, and long-time supporters.
The Club’s members continue to make extraordinary contributions, with Margaret and Nicole, (Nicole is the daughter of founder David), receiving an OAM in 2023 for their dedicated service.
Congratulations on this brilliant milestone to all members of the Apple-MAQ Lions Club!
