Castlemaine Lions Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary on November 20 with a special gathering at the Lions clubhouse in Kennedy Street, Castlemaine.
Five of the club’s original 21 charter members and a host of other past and present members, their partners and families gathered to celebrate the Lions’ five decades of service to the local community. Lion Ken McKimmie said it was a wonderful celebration as members reminisced about their various initiatives and poured over the club archives and memorabilia on display.
“It was fantastic to look back on all the projects which we have completed in Castlemaine and district over the last 50 years,” he said.
The Lions Club of Castlemaine was officially chartered on March 4, 1972. The first president was Tom Dunne, manager of the ANZ Bank.Over the last 50 years the Lions club has supported everything from youth exchanges to fundraising initiatives for equipment at the local hospital and supported various schools and kindergartens with much needed materials.In the 80s the club also installed coin operated barbecues in Victory Park, 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 success stories has been the establishment of its major fundraiser the Castlemaine Swap Meet which has now been running for 36 years and attracts visitors from far and wide to the annual April fixture.
Of course their crowning achievement to date has been supporting the establishment of the Mount Alexander Accommodation and Respite Group’s (MASARG) Lions McDonald Hill Respite House at McKenzie Hill.
However, their work is never done and in the last few months the Lions donated a dishwasher to the Castlemaine RSL, assisted to complete the training for the first local Australian Lions Hearing Dog homed in Castlemaine, and lent their friends at Rotary a hand with last weekend’s Truck Show.
The friendly local club always welcomes new members to join their ranks. To find out more on what’s involved contact Ken on 0428 721 809.