The Tamworth Lions Club are ready to lift the bat and salute the crowd, as the international organisation prepares to celebrate a major milestone on Wednesday June 7.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One hundred years ago, a group led by Melvin Jones in Chicago, chose the Lion as the symbol of their newly formed organisation to represent the ideals of strength, courage, fidelity and vital action.
While the original group formed as a businessman’s lunch group, they soon discovered that with their talents combined they could do a lot to improve communities, and a century later the Tamworth branch and the organisation continues to live up to that mission.
The branch will be hosting a celebration dinner at the North Tamworth Bowling Club, which they are also hoping could help them find more members, with fresh blood always welcomed to the 50 strong club.
The club started as a get together of friends, and in many ways it is still the same.
- Brian Sullivan
Tamworth bulletin editor Brian Sullivan recently compiled a shortlist of the branch’s achievements and notable memories since the club became the 65th Lions Club in Australia in 1956.
The events included Keith Singh organising an elephant race when the circus was in town with members as jockeys in 1965, and the piano smashing race in 1971, although it is their feats of charity and building community assets that they are best known for.
The Tamworth club is responsible for the $156,000 Meals on Wheels kitchen upgrade, with $56,000 of that coming from their own fundraising coffers, and the rest from Lions International.
They have also helped with building upgrades of the local Avro Anson Building, Scout and Girl Guide halls, playground equipment, such as their $28,000 effort at Ronald McDonald House, as well as making consistent donations to the Tamworth Hospital and several other organisations and venues.
“We are all just like minded, and community minded people wanting to make the world and our communities a better place,” Mr Sullivan said. “The club started as a get together of friends, and in many ways it is still the same.”
The club is expecting over 100 guests on Wednesday night, with the amazing Ross McGregor providing entertainment.
Anyone interested in attending the centenary celebrations should contact secretary Col Eunson on 67656226, or 0427819576.
