PRIDE grows with new faces – and the Tamworth Lioness Club has done exactly that.
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The pride last week welcomed three new members across three generations in what the group believes is a region first.
Seventeen-year-old Isabelle Daley came across the Lioness Club of Tamworth through her involvement with the Lions Youth of the Year competition.
The Oxley High School year 12 student was so blown away by the work of the club when she entered the public speaking competition that she decided to become a member – and drag along her mother and grandmother.
“I started with the Lions Youth of the Year competition a couple of months back, and when we went to the club, everyone was so welcoming,” Isabelle said.
“Basically, we decided to join Lionesses.
“We quite liked the atmosphere and we came along to a meeting and everyone was so warm and welcoming.
“They are lovely people and they do some amazing work, so we decided to try our hand at it and get involved to serve our community.”
While Isabelle has been to three Lioness meetings so far, last week marked the first time she was formally inducted into the club, alongside her mother, Joanna Daley, and grandmother, Teresa Tzenis, taking the group’s membership from 25 to 28.
The Lioness Club is underpinned by friendship, fellowship and enjoyment through service to the community and a creative use of time.
Members of a Lioness Club can learn what their partners in the sponsoring Lions Club are doing to help others.
They have the opportunity to “create and foster a spirit of understanding amongst the peoples of the world”, which is the first purpose of Lions Clubs.
Isabelle said she loves the community work involved with being a Lioness, raising funds for various charities, selling raffle tickets and other community services.
“I am hoping to learn bit more about our community in Tamworth and community spirit as well,” she said.
“It’s also a life skill to take into the future, just learning to how to be around different people and groups.”
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Her mother Joanna Daley was so impressed by the work the Lioness Club does that she also joined.
Her husband, Isabella’s father, also joined the Lions Club at the same time.
“(Isabelle) got nominated through school, so we went along,” Mrs Daley said.
“We heard about the Lionesses (club), then we thought what a great way to give back to the kids and local community.
“It’s lovely to share with your daughter and mom.
“It is wonderful to be a part of it.
“The ladies are excited (to have us all).”
Mrs Daley encouraged more women to get involved with the group, and to throw their support behind their current fundraising campaign for the Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC).
“Why wouldn’t you?” she asked.
“We are regional, and it can be hard for our kids.
“They need what the Sydney guys have already got.
“If we can give them (PCYC) more by using our spare time to raise money (then that’s great).”
Both Isabelle and Joanna were joined by their mother and grandmother respectively, Teresa Tzenis, on Wednesday last week to be formally inducted into the Tamworth Lioness Club at the West Tamworth League Club.
Zone chairman John Hook inducted the members, while Jo Newberry sponsored them.
Club president Jenny Cox said the group, who is gearing up to celebrate its 20th birthday later this year, always welcomed new members with open arms.
The group is involved in community services such as baking and catering for fundraising luncheons, running Bunnings barbecues, running the wig library, doing delivery runs for Meals on Wheels and maintaining the Lioness Gardens on Goonoo Goonoo Road.
Mrs Cox said it was a huge shot in the arm to welcome three new members in one hit – as well as someone as young as Isabelle.
“It’s terrific,” Mrs Cox said.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Lioness Clubs are projects of Lions Clubs and have provided the opportunity for women to participate in community service without becoming full Lions members.
Whilst the primary aim of Lionesses is to help others, it is not just about raising funds and providing community service.
Being a Lioness member opens up new doors to a network of friends. In Australia, Lionesses participate in local, district, state and national seminars, forums and conventions.
They share fellowship with a large circle of fellow members. ‘Break-away’ weekends are organised by many districts and states for fun and fellowship.
Lions Clubs International was founded in 1917, while the first Lioness Club was formed in 1975 in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina USA.
The first Lioness Club in Australia commenced in 1976.
In Australia and Papua New Guinea there are about 102 Lioness Clubs with 2000 members who enjoy helping people in their community who are less fortunate than themselves.
At the same time the Lioness enjoy a bond of friendship that extends not only within Australia but throughout the world.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the work of Tamworth Lioness Club or to get involved, contact the secretary on 0422 773 271 or find them on Facebook.
“It's very rewarding,” Mrs Cox said.