Lions Australia: Making a difference in local communities

By Contributed

May 19, 2025

The Benalla lakeside market is always popular.

Lions Australia continues to grow as the country’s largest service club organisation, uniting thousands of volunteers who are passionate about helping others.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Benalla Lions Club is part of this proud tradition — serving the community through hands-on projects and initiatives that respond to local, national and global needs.

Lions clubs are known for their flexibility and commitment to meaningful action.

The Benalla Lions Club holds regular wood raffles.

From supporting families in crisis to driving awareness and fundraising for causes like childhood cancer research, each club works in its own unique way to meet the needs of its community.

The Benalla Lions Club was formed in 1957.

The Benalla Lions Club maintains about 50 benches around the Rose City.

Some of its projects include:

The annual Junior Public Speaking Competition for students in Years 3-4 and 5-6 to help them gain confidence in public speaking.
Monthly barbecues at Bunnings Wangaratta to raise funds for community members in need.
Taking part in the Benalla Agricultural Show by manning the entry gates.
Driver Reviver at the Mokoan wayside stop on the Hume Fwy northbound, to provide free tea and coffee to travellers on public holidays.
Taking part in the Benalla Festival by conducting a barbecue at the Day in the Gardens market.
Conducting the annual Carols by Candlelight, which the Benalla Lions Club has been doing since 1962 at the Benalla Botanical Gardens.
The Benalla Lakeside Craft and Farmers Market, which is a combined event put on with the Benalla Rotary Club.
Winter wood raffles at the market.
The club provides its Lions Street Seats around the community, of which it has about 50 seats that it maintains. This project commenced in 1958.
Where possible the Benalla Lions Club donates to local and worldwide disaster relief.
Helping to feed the homeless.

A Benalla Lions spokesperson said the club was all about community.

Benalla's monthly lakeside market is a joint initiative of the Rose City's Lions and Rotary clubs.

“As Lions, we’re passionate about serving others and creating positive change,” the spokesperson said.

“Whether it’s a small community project or a large national campaign, we’re here to help.”

The Benalla Lions Club hosts a regular sausage sizzle at Bunnings Wangaratta.

The Benalla Lions Club meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Benalla Bowls Club on Arundel St and welcomes service-minded individuals who want to get involved.

Membership is by invitation and anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to reach out.