Graeme Stockton speakes to Torquay Lions about Sustainability and the Battle to Save Spring Creek.

Graeme Stockton from the West Coast Indigenous Nursery was our guest speaker at the Lions Club October Dinner Meeting. He spoke about the land care programs in Torquay, focusing on Spring Creek Valley. He showed a film about the revegetation of the valley and the work on other local land care projects. He stressed the need to continue to ensure our environment is protected for future generations. Torquay Lions recently provided a donation to the Ridgeline Trail, a wonderful project for locals (especially kids) to enjoy the valley.

Torquay Lions Get a CPR Refresher

At our September Dinner Meeting, we were joined by Kylie, who is a MICA (Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance) Paramedic, Kylie spoke about her work and fielded questions from the audience. With 15 years of experience as a paramedic, the last 7 years as a MICA paramedic, she has worked at Stawell and Geelong and is highly accomplished. Kylie demonstrated the current correct CPR technique and then the use of a defibrillator, which guides rescuers through the process of performing CPR and can deliver a potentially lifesaving shock to the heart when needed.

Long Term Member Barry Mackie Retires from Lions

Tradie, Footballer, Teacher, Coach, Mentor and just a good bloke. Lion Barry Mackie is leaving us to move to Mt Eliza with his wife, Kaye. It was in Echuca he joined Lions in 1989. They decided to move to Torquay in 2010 and he joined the Lions Club of Torquay. Barry has always been at the forefront of activity in Torquay, with BBQ’s, marshalling, pub raffle, clean ups etc. He has held several positions including President in 2013. His service has been recognised through the awarding of the prestigious J Richardson award in 2018 and Melvin Jones in 2024.

Torquay Lions Ensure Police Are Not Forgotten

Following the murder of two Victoria policemen and the severe wounding of another, Torquay Lions dropped into the Torquay Police Station to remind all police that their community feels for them.
Allen Osman, a retired police member, presented flowers to the police on behalf of the Torquay Lions Club.

Torquay Lions Club Receives Media Award again at the Lions V2 District Change Over Dinner

At the Lions V2 District Change Over Dinner in Ararat on Saturday 27 July the Lions Club of Torquay received another media award.
The Club received the District Website/Social Media Award. The Website/Social Media Award is in recognition of the positive way in which Lions is being promoted in our community.
Immediate Past President Colin Bellis was also awarded Lions District V2 Lion Of the Year and was awarded with a Lions International Leadership Award. Congratulations Colin.

Bellbrae Cemetery Working Bee

Torquay Lions held another working bee at the Bellbrae Cemetery on Tuesday 8th July. The club regularly helps maintain the Cemetery grounds by mowing, weeding and raking the gumtree litter. The club is paid by the cemetery trust for its efforts, with the funds going into the Administration Account. This helps subsidise the costs of running the club.

Torquay Lions Club Hold their Change Over Dinner.

Torquay Lions Club held their Changeover Dinner Thursday 26 June at the Lions Village. Ward Councillor Paul Barker, Incoming Torquay Rotary Club President Kelly Binyon as well as Installing Officer and Lions District 201V2 Leadership Team member Alan Davis were guests. Current President Colin Bellis handed over to Incoming President Ross Yapp and a new Board was installed. Stuart Miller was also inducted as a new member into the Club. Allen Osman was the recipient of the Club’s Lion of the Year Award and Ken Farrow was presented with a special award for his work as Secretary.

Lions Cook Sausages for Hungry Cyclists as They Finish the Great Ocean and Otway Classic Bike Ride

Torquay Lions provided another sausage sizzle for hungry cyclists (this time) as they completed the Great Ocean and Otway Classic Bike Ride on Saturday 12 April. This was the second weekend in a row that we had cooked our sausages and onion in bread for hungry finishers at the Elephant Walk in Torquay. Again they went down a treat.
Not to be outdone by the BBQ crew another group of Lions were up at 6 am to help marshal the cyclists as they headed up Anderson Street.
And this was the morning after the Charity Bowls Day!

Billy Ryan Charity Bowls Day

The Torquay Bowls Day was again the venue for the Billy Ryan Charity Bowls Day on Friday April 11. A full quota of bowlers had entered this popular event again and came ready to open their wallets to support the 3 raffles and the silent auctions. Torquay businesses had once again generously donated the prizes to be raffled and other businesses had given cash donations. In all, the event raised $12,000 for the VICSES Torquay Unit.

Lions Cook Sausages for Hungry Walkers as They Finish the Surf Coast Trek

Torquay Lions Host Youth of the Year State Final

The Lions Youth of the Year Victorian State Final was held in Torquay on Saturday, March 29th at Kithbrooke Country Club.
The overall winner was Sebastian Lunn, from Melbourne and he will go onto the National Final – 2025 at Traralgon on May 5th.
Amelia Hulonce from Portland won the award for public speaking.
Other finalists competing included Grace Boehnke from Dromana, Olivia Woodhouse from Waverley and Oakley Tarrant from Rochester.
There were 80 Lions, judges, contestants and friends at the state final, and all enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Tricia Blane is Presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship

Torquay Lions Club President Colin Bellis presented Lion Tricia Blane with a Lions Clubs International Melvin Jones Fellowship at the recent February Dinner Meeting. Tricia a two time President of the Torquay Lions Club and was instrumental in forming the Friends of Torquay Lions group. A Melvin Jones Fellowship is the most prestigious award that can be presented to a Lion in recognition of their service to the Lions movement.

Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal Local Ambassador Speaks to Torquay Lions

Surf Coast’s local Good Friday Appeal (GFA) ambassador Belle Strahan and her Mum Karen recently (27/2) joined the Torquay Lions Club dinner meeting to encourage its members to donate to the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) annual appeal.
Lion Brian Keane facilitated a question-and-answer interview of 16-year-old Belle and her mother. Their story stunned the attentive audience.
Belle’s relationship with the RCH began before she was born and has continued all her life. (A full story of Belle’s medical history is attached).
Because of the life-saving support of the RCH and its staff over the years, Belle has grown to be an active, competitive sportsperson and student.
She is in Year 11 at Geelong Lutheran College. Belle and leads a physically active life and enjoys taekwondo and swimming. She’s also a volunteer lifeguard patroller with Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club (after being Bronze Medallion certified in 2023).