Charter president, Lion Jim Fawns, led the club in its first year, and since that time the club has been involved in many aspects of the town’s development, with assistance to organisations and individuals.
With a membership of 26, the club’s major fundraising effort is the weekly bingo session held each Thursday night at the Multi Arts Centre in Cressy St, Deniliquin.
Money raised from this project has been used over the years to help fund many projects in our community.
Some of these include purchase and donation of the land for the site of Navorina Nursing Home, contributions to assist with the setting up and maintaining of services at Four Post Camp, the public toilet block in Waring Gardens next to the Multi Arts Centre, and countless donations not only to local community but also to national and international emergency appeals (bushfires, floods, tsunami, earthquake etc).
One of the important aspects of the club’s service to the community is youth projects, with the club involved in Youth of the Year Quest, Youth Exchange program, sponsorship of local children to attend the Lions Licola Camp, and there’s still the annual debate held between the High School and Lions Club each year.
The club also contributes annually to all local and surrounding small schools to assist with presentation night awards.
The Lions Club also takes part in the annual Clean Up Australia Day project, and now hosts the monthly community market in the Deniliquin Waring Gardens — held the fourth Saturday of each month.
The highest award in Lionism, the Melvin Jones Fellowship, has been awarded to many local recipients over the years.
Lions Clubs are non-political, non-sectarian service organisations composed of service-minded citizens within a community.
Enquiries are always welcome if you are considering membership of a world wide community service organisation whose motto is ‘We Serve’.