Lions volunteers across the country and here in the Hunter are celebrating a significant milestone today with the 75th anniversary of the club's formation.
Since its foundation in Lismore on September 29th 1947, Lions Australia has grown to become the largest service club organisation in the country, attracting more than 25,000 members.
To celebrate the significant milestone, the organisation set out to plant 75 community gardens across the country.
With the support of Newcastle Council, Lions Club members of Mayfield and Waratah have embraced the sentiment, planting over 2,000 trees at Bull and Tourle Street Reserve in Mayfield West.
CEO Rob Oerlemans says the brand new gardens serve as a "gift to the community" for all their hard-work and dedication over the past 75 years.
Moving forward, Oerlemans says Lions volunteers will continue to tackle the issues faced by future generations.
"We know that every community is going to face challenges over the next few decades, we know there's an issue with climate change," he said.
"We know that the conflict going on the world will lead to displaced peoples... [which] creates issues of supply, poverty and hunger. These are all causes that are very close to a lion's heart."
"Not all of these services can be supported and provided by government. It takes every day individuals to get out there and give some of their time to the range of volunteer organisations."
"Now is the time to rebuild, provide those satisfying and fun opportunities to community-spirited Australians and build resilient communities to face these future challenges."
Over the next 75 years, Lions hopes to continue expanding its services, eventually establishing a club in every single community that requires assistance.
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| Image credit: City of Newcastle. |
