The Lions Club of Mount Gambier will celebrate an astonishing 60 years this Sunday February 12.
The formation of the Lions Club of Mount Gambier did not follow the usual pattern where an established Lions Club seeks permission to investigate an area with a view to form a new club.
In the case of the Lions Club of Mount Gambier the initial move came from local citizens and enthusiasm to start a club was boosted following a visit to the city by the founder of Lions in Australia and past District Governor Bill Tresize MBE.
Following approaches made through the late Stan Elliott OBE, a former Mayor of Mount Gambier, it was ascertained that several community-minded citizens were interested.
A meeting was then held at the Rose Marie Restaurant on February 12, 1963, where 26 locals met with representatives of the Lions Club of Adelaide City President Bevan Rutt and Lion Ron Hone.
It was agreed to form a local club and Mount Gambier City Council Town Clerk Doug Roeger MBE was elected as Interim President.
The Lions Club of Mount Gambier president Steve Bell said it was an honour and great privilege to be elected president in the year the club was celebrating 60 years since its formation.
“It is even more special when you consider we still have one of the foundation members Lion and past District Governor Eric Roughana AM,” he said.
“He is still very active within our club and incidentally, has chaired the 60th Anniversary Organising Committee charged with putting together all of the items that form part of our presentation night.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside the various members on projects the club has volunteered to undertake over the years including but not limited to our local Riding for the Disabled organisation, heritage fencing projects and the establishment of a Lions Centennial Park within the Lakes precinct, council projects such as a viewing platform and a gazebo, and school projects such as Lions Mad Minute and Graduate of the Year.
“Other projects have included recycling of spectacles, brass band festival and in recent years working within our fabulous catering van which has generated funds that have allowed our club to donate back to our local community and other communities within Australia and overseas especially when disaster relief is requested.”
Mr Bell said it was a privilege to witness the positions of president, secretary and treasurer filled by great women in 2021/22, a first for the club.
“One of the most important resources a club possesses is its members and during my time within our club I am always amazed at the talent members have displayed, whether it be the skills they possess or their ability to roll up their sleeves and get the job done,” he said.
“In summary I look forward to finishing my year and continuing to assist others in the various roles and future projects our club decides to undertake.
“As I have stated earlier it has been a privilege and a honour to be part of the leadership team during the 2022/23 Lions year.”
