From recent droughts and bushfires to the spread of COVID-19, it’s been a challenging time for our country, but the spirit of community service continues to shine.
Many refer to Lions as Australia’s best kept secret but in coming weeks Lions volunteers across Australia will be hosting a number of special events in their communities to celebrate Lions Awareness Day on Saturday March 6 2021.
Since the first club was formed in Australia almost 75 years ago Lions has grown dramatically in size and impact with over 1300 clubs and 30,000 members now giving back through an array of community-based programs and initiatives.
Some Lions are on a mission to cure childhood cancer and diabetes, others are committed to assisting those impacted by drought and floods and many are simply working together to help people in need in their local community. One thing all Lions have in common is together they are making an incredible difference.
Lions Australia CEO Rob Oerlemans says this year, Lions Awareness Day is not only an opportunity to recognise the incredible impact of the Lions but also the changing face of volunteering in Australia.
“Volunteering is critical to keeping our communities well and functioning and for 75 years, Lions have been supporting communities across Australia.”
“Over the past 12 months we have seen communities across Australia coming together to support each other. People are inspired and want to give back. At the heart of all of these communities is a Lions Club – a group of local people who come together to do what they can to help others and make a difference. Our passionate volunteers do exceptional work every day and it’s been a busy year for the organisation.”
“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 finding new ways to support each other and their communities. From virtual meetings and fundraising to new projects and different types of clubs, our organisation has really adapted and evolved this year,” says Rob Oerlemans.
“So if you see any Lions out in your community in coming weeks we encourage you to say hello and get some information on what your local club is up to. If you are interested in making a difference ask your local Lions how you can get involved.”
“Our goal is that the demographic makeup of our clubs matches the demography of the community in which they operate. 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. Whatever your interest, chances are there is a Lions club that can help or others in the community who would be interested in starting one with you.”
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.
“This is why Lions is so effective in times of need. Every dollar donated goes directly to the cause and through Lions’ large network of clubs we are able to quickly identify those who require assistance and find the best and most efficient ways of supporting those people and communities,” adds Rob Oerlemans.
Over $50 million is donated to Lions Australia each year with all funds going directly to important causes and people in need. Over $5 million is invested in youth programs each year, over $20 million is invested in medical research, $5 million in drug awareness, $20 million in hearing services and over 3000 environmental projects are carried out by Lions Australia every year.
If you support Lions maybe you would be interested in finding out more information on how you can get involved? Visit www.lionsclubs.org.au
Media Contact: Sari-Elle Kraemer on 0407284457 or skraemer@alphaconsulting.global
Lions cleaning up their communities
/in ENVIRONMENT, NEWS /by adminMany Lions members are passionate about nurturing the environment and as an organisation it is one of our key global focus areas.
Each year hundreds of Lions volunteers participate in Clean Up Australia Day. This year the event coincided with Lions Awareness Day and over 100 clubs hosted clean up Australia Day Events in their community.
With increased social restrictions due to the spread of COVID-19 and with more people working from home, the event has never been more important to protect and conserve our local environments.
“This year has seen disruption to our lives, not least of all to our local environments which have been impacted by increased uptake of single-use, disposable items” said Clean Up Australia Chairman, Pip Kiernan.
Research reveals* more than 1 in 3 (34%) Australian households self-identified as producing more packaging waste during lockdown periods compared to previous years, and more than 1 in 2 (55%) reported they are now more concerned about product packaging waste than they were in 2019.
In addition to Clean Up Australia Day many Lions Clubs across Australia engage in important environmental work in their communities including tree planting, clean ups and managing parks and community gardens.
A special dog to assist Australians with Diabetes
/in HEALTH, NEWS /by adminSince the 1980s Lions has provided over 600 assistance dogs to deaf or hearing-impaired Australians and now they are on a mission to do the same for those with Diabetes.
Australian Lions Hearing Dogs has recently launched a new medical assistance dog program. The alert dogs will be trained to alert to low blood sugar levels in asymptomatic Type 1 Diabetics.
The first puppy to be trained in the program has been welcomed into its foster home and is currently completing his training. The working English Springer Spaniel, named Cody, is sponsored by parent Vicki who already has a hearing dog, as does her son.
Vicki says she looks forward to supporting Cody through the training and seeing the program introduced in coming years.
“I know first-hand how much an assistant dog can change someone’s life. Many hearing-impaired people like my son and I, can’t hear important sounds such as the knock at the door, a telephone or, most seriously, a smoke alarm. Our assistant dogs provide us with confidence and security. The Diabetes medical alert dogs will do the same for those living with low blood sugar levels. It’s a pleasure to be the foster home for the first Lions Diabetes medical alert dog,” says Vicki.
There is currently a very high demand for Australian Lions Hearing dogs with an increasing number of Australians suffering from some form of hearing loss. Unfortunately, this number is on the rise, as is the number of Australians living with Diabetes.
Across the country, 1.3 million people have been diagnosed with Diabetes and 283 people are diagnosed every day. Diabetes has been named one of the Lions’ 5 key focus areas and we are excited to be introducing this new program as part of this commitment.
Camp Koala – a lifechanging experience for young people living with Diabetes
/in NEWS, Youth exchange, YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES /by adminAcross Australia over 1.3 million people have Diabetes and 283 people are diagnosed every day. For young people, living with Diabetes is challenging, not only physically but also emotionally.
Diabetes is one of Lions key global focus areas and one of the life changing projects launched recently is Camp Koala.
The inaugural Camp Koala – Type 1 was successfully held for 7 days from 11-17 April 2021 at YMCA Camp Wyuna in Queenscliff, Victoria. 21 Type 1 diabetic teenagers between 15-18 years old attended the camp and benefited from a range of activities, inspirational speakers and the rare opportunity to connect with other diabetics their own age.
The camp aims to provide attendees with knowledge and tools to promote healthy nutrition and a positive lifestyle while managing their diabetes.
There were a a range of fun activities to participate in at the 2021 Camp Koala, including canoeing, bike riding, volleyball, basketball, walking, zip lining, tubing, laser tag and boogie boarding.
During the camp, the young attendees also had access to one on one time with a diabetes nurse educator and nutritionist. Where it was felt necessary the camper’s own diabetes team were contacted for follow up. Campers voluntarily accessed a joint App call “Happy Bob” which monitored their levels. This App had a capability of private communications to each other and very much aided in accessing diabetes self-management.
Attendees benefited from hearing from Type 1 and family therapist Joe Solowiejczyk who zoomed in from the USA, dietitian and Type 1 Foundation Board Member Julianne Cuthbert and nutritionist Andrea Balog who gave an insightful talk on nutrition, positive body image and confidence.
The teens were also taken out to dinner to help gain real-life experience in carb counting and ordering from a menu. Many had never eaten out in a formal environment on their own since diagnosis due to a fear of working out injections and found the dinner extremely informative.
Most importantly, Camp Koala provides participants with the opportunity to meet other young people who understand the challenges of living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Participants set up an Instagram support page to keep in touch and left a number of positive messages thanking the Camp Koala team for the experience.
“For me, the worst thing about Type1 diabetes is the fact that I couldn’t share my experience with anyone because I would feel like a burden, so I stayed silent and let the disease win over me. Camp Koala changed this, from the word go I walked in and I knew things were different, we each connected on a level which I had never felt before and I felt in control know that there was support and safety in those around me. I just felt that the camp provided me with something that no-one in my day to day life could because these people got it. For me insulin is the control but connection is my cure.”” said Lachie Read after attending Lions Youth Exchange & Camps – Camp koala – Type 1.
The next Camp Koala will be held from 3-9 July 2022.
Australian Lions Foundation committed to helping Lions help their communities
/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, NEWS /by adminChildhood cancer research is getting a $1.05 million boost thanks to Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation
/in NEWS, RESEARCH & INNOVATION /by adminMore than 800 children aged 0-14 years are diagnosed with cancer in Australia each year. Many of these cancers are aggressive and hard to treat and we are losing too many young lives.
Although survival rates have improved greatly for some, most cancers take a toll on young people’s lives and often side effects of treatment can be serious and lifelong.
Over the past 10 years, the Australian Lions Childhood Research Foundation has raised over $10 million for childhood cancer research.
The latest project is $1.05 million of funding to the Telethon Kids Institute to support the Centre’s vital research aimed at improving survival rates, longevity and quality of life for children with cancer.
“At Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation we believe every child deserves a chance at a healthy life,” Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation Chairperson John Thorpe said. “We are very proud to be providing $1.05 million worth of funding to Telethon Kids.”
Chair of the Telethon Kids Institute, the Hon. Julie Bishop, said they are excited to be partnering with such a well-respected, community-oriented organisation like Lions Australia.
“We are so grateful for Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation’s support,” Ms Bishop said. “This $1.05 million in funding will enable 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 defences to destroy cancer cells.”
Visit Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation for more information.
Ballina and Alstonville Lions turning waste into cash for the community
/in ENVIRONMENT, NEWS /by adminBallina and Alstonville Lions Clubs have partnered with the Ballina Memorial Pool & Waterslide and Alstonville Aquatic Centre Alstonville to ensure less waste goes to landfill and more funds go into the community.
Return and Earn bins are dotted around both pool complexes where eligible cans, bottles and juice boxes are then collected by the Lions Clubs and cashed in to go towards causes that support the community. Each eligible bottle or container can be cashed in for 10c.
Because Lions pay an annual membership fee, all funds raised by clubs are donated directly to the causes they support.
Keep An Eye Out For A Pride Of Lions In Your Local Community Next Month
/in NEWS /by adminFrom recent droughts and bushfires to the spread of COVID-19, it’s been a challenging time for our country, but the spirit of community service continues to shine.
Many refer to Lions as Australia’s best kept secret but in coming weeks Lions volunteers across Australia will be hosting a number of special events in their communities to celebrate Lions Awareness Day on Saturday March 6 2021.
Some Lions are on a mission to cure childhood cancer and diabetes, others are committed to assisting those impacted by drought and floods and many are simply working together to help people in need in their local community. One thing all Lions have in common is together they are making an incredible difference.
Lions Australia CEO Rob Oerlemans says this year, Lions Awareness Day is not only an opportunity to recognise the incredible impact of the Lions but also the changing face of volunteering in Australia.
“Volunteering is critical to keeping our communities well and functioning and for 75 years, Lions have been supporting communities across Australia.”
“Over the past 12 months we have seen communities across Australia coming together to support each other. People are inspired and want to give back. At the heart of all of these communities is a Lions Club – a group of local people who come together to do what they can to help others and make a difference. Our passionate volunteers do exceptional work every day and it’s been a busy year for the organisation.”
“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 finding new ways to support each other and their communities. From virtual meetings and fundraising to new projects and different types of clubs, our organisation has really adapted and evolved this year,” says Rob Oerlemans.
“So if you see any Lions out in your community in coming weeks we encourage you to say hello and get some information on what your local club is up to. If you are interested in making a difference ask your local Lions how you can get involved.”
“Our goal is that the demographic makeup of our clubs matches the demography of the community in which they operate. 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. Whatever your interest, chances are there is a Lions club that can help or others in the community who would be interested in starting one with you.”
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.
“This is why Lions is so effective in times of need. Every dollar donated goes directly to the cause and through Lions’ large network of clubs we are able to quickly identify those who require assistance and find the best and most efficient ways of supporting those people and communities,” adds Rob Oerlemans.
Over $50 million is donated to Lions Australia each year with all funds going directly to important causes and people in need. Over $5 million is invested in youth programs each year, over $20 million is invested in medical research, $5 million in drug awareness, $20 million in hearing services and over 3000 environmental projects are carried out by Lions Australia every year.
If you support Lions maybe you would be interested in finding out more information on how you can get involved? Visit www.lionsclubs.org.au
Media Contact: Sari-Elle Kraemer on 0407284457 or skraemer@alphaconsulting.global