Lions market a success

Stallholders came from Echuca, Shepparton, Bendigo, Melbourne to sell their goods alongside Rochester local.

Rochester Lions secretary Belinda Cooper Green said despite the rough weather, the market was a success.

“If we didn't have the wind, it would have been amazing,” she said.

“The variety was just huge and we even had to turn some (stallholders) down.”

The Twilight Christmas Market was the third major market the Lions club’’s market committee has hosted since taking on the job.

While the markets were formerly held monthly under the direction of the RBN, the new committee decided to host them during big events, when visitors flock to Rochester.

The committee hosted its first market during the OK Rochy festival and another during the Rochester Show ’n’ Shine.

Ms Green said the markets were a way to help bring visitors to town and boost the economy.

“It's more for the community’s benefit... It means we're bringing people to town for the shops, for everyone to have something to do and spending the money here,” she said.

Plans for the next markets are already in motion, with one to be held at the Rochester Show next February and another at the Rochester Mural Festival in March.

With the markets now done for the year, the Lions Club will return early next year after a break over the festive season.

While the club have a healthy number of volunteers, newcomers are always welcome to join in.

Ms Green said becoming a Lions Club member was a great way to remain active in the community.

“(The Lions) have a great mix and new people are always welcome to come and try meetings and see if it's a match on both sides,” she said.

“We get to help so many people and share our time with everyone, which is what is just so great — that community interaction.”

Anyone interested in attending a meeting can contact the Rochester Lions Club Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lions.rochy