Castlemaine Lions Club will celebrate its 50th Anniversary this Sunday November 20 at a gathering at the Lions clubhouse in Kennedy Street, Castlemaine.
All past and present members and partners are invited to attend the afternoon tea which begins at 2pm, have a tour of the present facility, view the club’s collected history and celebrate 50 years of service to Castlemaine and district.
Lion Ken McKimmie said they are delighted to be welcoming five of their original 21 Charter Members to Sunday’s celebration.
“It should be a really special event as we look back at all we have achieved in Castlemaine and district over the last 50 years,” he said.
The Lions Club of Castlemaine was officially chartered on March 4, 1972. Members of the Kyneton Club assisted in sponsoring the move. The first president was Tom Dunne manager of the ANZ Bank.
In 1973 the Lions hosted their first exchange student from Japan,
In 1975 the club held their first major appeal and raised $1000 for an intensive care bed for Castlemaine Hospital.
In 1977 a colour television was donated to Kaliana School in Bendigo.
In 1978 the club assisted with the emergency alarm and light system at Castlemaine and Chewton.
In 1979 the club helped with the formation of the Newstead Lions and in 1984 the Harcourt Lions Club.
In the 80s the club also installed coin operated barbecues in Victory Park, conducted free hearing tests for local children, welcomed a visit from aspiring Prime Minister Bob Hawke, hosted a snooker championship, and purchased a set of jaws of life for the local SES just to name a few milestones.
One of the biggest achievements of the Lions Club has been the establishment of its major fundraiser the Castlemaine Swap Meet which has now been running for 36 years and attracts visitors from across Victoria and beyond to the annual April fixture.
Funds raised have supported countless community projects in the intervening years including more exchange student visits, the Lions Youth of the Year’ initiative and of course their vital support in the establishment of the Mount Alexander Accommodation and Respite Group’s (MASARG) Lions McDonald Hill Respite House at McKenzie Hill.
In the last few months the Lions donated a dishwasher to the Castlemaine RSL and have also been busy assisting to complete the training for the first local Australian Lions Hearing Dog presented to local resident Helen Williams – ‘Buster’ – to assist Helen to lead a full and happy life both at home and when out and about in our local community and further afield.
The Lions will also be lending their friends at the Rotary Club of Castlemaine a hand at next weekend’s Truck Show.
Congratulations to the Castlemaine Lions Club on 50 wonderful years of community service and best wishes to the club on the next 50. We can’t wait to see what they will achieve!
To RSVP for the event or to learn more about becoming a Lions member please contact Ken on 0428 721 809.