Torquay Lions held another working bee at the Bellbrae Cemetery on Tuesday 15th August. 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.

Pictured are John Bell, Allen Osman and Richard Kelly.

Last week, Lions presented a donation of $12,500 to Art of the Minds at the Lions Village.
Art of The Minds has evolved into a powerful community conversation centred on mental wellbeing.
The local charity showcases the brilliant talents of Surf Coast and regional artists, individuals and groups in a festival week full of community-based activities each year.
Founder and President of Art of the Minds, Jules Haddock, is proud of her project and was most grateful for Torquay Lions contribution to the Mental Health Week festival.
“The project forges connections with all community members from young to old”, she said.
“Through creative art-based conversations, ranging from theatre, song, visual arts, music, yoga, sound, sport events with a twist, and an exciting education event, this festival gives our community the right to talk about mental illness, and the responsibility to support one another.
“Art of the Minds aims to activate, educate and engage the Surf Coast and wider community to creatively manage mental health and wellbeing.

Lions help Kids! Torquay Lions ran a BBQ for the 2023 Surf Coast Trek. Over 800 took part in the 26km or 40km fundraising walk from Anglesea or Aireys Inlet to Torquay. Each receiving a medal as they crossed the line at a sunny Elephant Walk. Money raised is for Kids+ and the Give Where You Live Foundation. There were a lot ready for a sausage after their trek.

Guest speaker at our April Dinner Meeting was Richard Riordan, State Member for Polwarth, in his capacity as President of Parliament Lions Club. Richard spoke of his background, his involvement with Lions and some of the issues facing our local community. It was fascinating to learn that his stay in Russia as an exchange student was a life changing experience which helped form his views on life, politics and service to the community. What an interesting life he’s led. Torquay Lions President Colin Bellis presented Parliament Lions President Richard Riordan with a Torquay Lions bannerette.

Torquay Lion Brian Keane is on a quest. Lion Brian follows the Lions motto of “we serve”, but as Chair of MacKillop Family Services, Chair Keane follows the Mary MacKillop motto of “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Either way, Brian wants to help others. MacKillop Family Services was established in 1997. But its history dates to the 1800s and was founded on a deep commitment to caring for the most marginalised children, young people and families in our community. Its mission is inspired by Mary MacKillop (Sisters of St Joseph), Catherine McAuley (Sisters of Mercy) and Edmund Rice (Christian Brothers). Next week, Brian leaves for Ireland with four others from MacKillop Family Services to investigate and understand how these groups began helping children who are orphaned, destitute or neglected, and helping families in need of care and support, and how this is relevant to providing services in Australia today.
Pictured are MacKillop CEO Robyn Miller with MacKillop’s Aboriginal Service Development Director, Esmai Manahan and Chair of MacKillop Family Services Board, Brian Keane.

Torquay Lions raised $11,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal at yesterday’s Billy Ryan Torquay Lions Charity Bowls Day. All Lions were on deck, and there were 110 bowlers from Torquay Bowls Club, Anglesea Bowls, OceanOcean Grove Bowls and Leopold Bowls. We ended up with a winning team with cash prizes awarded. In the weeks up to the event, Lions collected donations from just over 90 local businesses. We received cash donations from our long-term major supporter Champion Blinds and our new supporter Surfside Dental. In total we collected over $18,000 in cash donations, goods and services. All these donations were used as prizes for 5 raffles, and a silent auction. The bowlers all had a great day, and the $11,000 is going to a wonderful cause. Billy Ryan was a Lion and a Bowler, and well loved in Torquay. He passed away in July last year, and the Bowls Charity Day is named after him. His wife, Pam, was there to present the winning bowlers with their prizes. Also there supporting us was councillor Rose Hodge.

Torquay Lions treated four local children to a day out at Adventure Park on 24 January. Their planned trip to the Lions Licola Wilderness Village was unfortunately postponed, so a day out at Adventure Park was organised in compensation.

Too often we read of the need for hospitals in Victoria to raise funds to help them operate effectively in years to come.
According to the Regional Manager for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal, Torquay Lion Peter McMahon, the serious shortage of funds has generated interest locally in beginning to raise funds now for the Appeal.
“Last year’s Good Friday Appeal in Torquay, with strong support from the Torquay Lions Club, raised $13,000 locally in a relatively short campaign,” he said.
“For the Good Friday Appeal this year, between now and Good Friday 2023, we believe we can raise close to $20,000.
“The dearth of funds for research and equipment for the RCH is understandable in this year of fires and floods where communities have been supporting those in distress with physical help, equipment and funds from generous donors.
“Between now and Good Friday 2023, we will have tin shakers out and about in shopping centres around Torquay, caravan parks and wherever we think we can raise donations.
“We are building teams of volunteers from Torquay Lions Club, Torquay RSL members, and other community groups who have already leapt into action. They have raised more than $5000 already,” Mr McMahon reported.
According to Mr McMahon, donating funds for the Good Friday Appeal, resonates with many families who have had some contact or contacts with the Royal Children’s Hospital over the years.
“Almost every family has been touched in some way or other by the Children’s Hospital which has helped so many youngsters,” Mr McMahon stated.
“To put in a dollar or two to help the hospital with research, care and rehabilitation comes very easily for most donors.
“I recognise that times have not been so good for some people over the past few years, but it is so often the ones who can spare the least that are the most generous.
“This year, because people are so familiar with QR codes and paying for services with their phones or cards, we have organised a QR code which leads to Torquay’s Good Friday Appeal virtual tin for donors,” Mr McMahon explained.

Photograph Caption: Torquay Lion Peter Mc Mahon, Co-ordinator of the Lions Club Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, celebrates with volunteer, Jan Harnath. the Club’s success in raising $13000 last Good Friday Appeal (2022).

Illustrating their concept of ‘Lead With Compassion’, local students have had their art works in the 2022 Lions Lions International Peace Poster Competition displayed in venues around Torquay.
Since the initial competition in 1988, more than 6 million youth in schools and youth groups have enthusiastically applied their creative skills to express individual visions of peace in their colourful posters.
People are invited to visit the students’ displays in the Surf Coast Library, the old Bendigo Bank shopfront in Gilbert Street and the old Toy Shop shopfront near IGA.
The posters will be on display during library hours until early November and in the shopfronts all-day,
The Lions International Peace Poster Competition has been gaining popularity in Lions Clubs throughout the world. Each year more than 600,000 young people from many countries participate in the Contest.
Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity.
The Lions International Peace Poster Contest is one of many Lions Clubs International Youth Programs that aim to provide opportunities for self-development, education, contribution and achievement for young people.

Photograph (L to R) Bellbrae PS art teacher, Clare Williams, Grade 5 student, Pippa Hynes, Natalie Martin (with Harry), and Lion Neil Roche, with Pippa’s winning entry in the Torquay Lions Club Peace poster competition, judged by Natalie Martin

Photograph (L to R) Bellbrae PS art teacher, Clare Williams, Grade 5 student, Rex Kadera, Natalie Martin (with Harry), and Lion Neil Roche, with Rex’s runner-up entry in the Torquay Lions Club Peace poster competition, judged by Natalie Martin.

Another Cowrie Market was held last Sunday on the Elephant Walk in Torquay. After the deluge on Thursday and Friday everyone was holding their breath that the market would go ahead. As it turned out the weather on Sunday was lovely and the ground had dried out sufficiently. The crowds were back and the Club were busy cooking and selling BBQ'ed sausages and taking children for rides in the Lions Train. Woolworths in Central Torquay generously donated 20 packets of sausages which boosted the day's fundraising. The BBQ raised $1800 and the Train raised another $770. Thanks to all the Lions Members and Friends of Lions who worked so hard all day to make the Market such a success.

Following a request from a local lady for assistance in supplying some firewood, a group of Torquay Lions loaded and delivered a Ute load on Saturday afternoon (11/6). Thank you to John Bell for donating the wood, Brian Keane for the loan of his Ute and Bob Brownlee, Ross Yapp and Ken Farrow for loading and unloading the firewood.

Torquay Lions met at the Lions Village to induct Gordon Clarence as a new member at their May Dinner Meeting recently. The club warmly welcomes Gordon and Faye and hope they have a long and rewarding relationship with Lions.

Despite being ‘off’ and ‘on’ this year, the Torquay Lions Charity Bowls Day raised $7500 for Torquay’s VICSES unit.
The Bowls Day had been scheduled for January 2022 but had been postponed because of pandemic restrictions. It went ahead last week (22/4).
According to Lions Club president, Neil Roche, generous bowlers and sponsors enabled the Lions to present $7500 to the unit for much-needed items not provided by the government or through grants.
“The weather was perfect for the day’s bowls on Torquay Bowls Club’s two greens with 120 bowlers vying for $700 prize money.
“Raffles and silent auctions were the main fund raisers on the day,” Mr Roche pointed out.
“The last Bowls Day we organised raised funds for Torquay and Bellbrae Fire Brigades”.
Once again, the Lions Bowls Day competition was strongly supported by Champion Blinds, a well-known local business which has supported the Day in recent years.
According to Mr Roche, the Champion Blinds sponsorship enabled the Lions to cover all costs for the day and supplement cash prizes paid to the winners.
Champion Blinds owner, Craig Smith, said his support for the Lions Charity Day was good for business, but that was not the prime reason he donated to the event.
“Torquay Lions do a great job in our community,” Craig Smith stated.
“They help out in so many ways, not only raising funds for worthy projects, but also assisting people needing help locally, nationally and internationally”.
Torquay Lions were determined to provide the local VICSES unit with the $7500 as soon as possible, noting that the unit had a busy year so far, including road rescue call outs.

Photographs
Top: Lion Bill Ferguson, delighted VICSES Torquay unit members Mark Heaysman and Aaron McKercher, and Lion Brian Keane during the Lions Charity Bowls Day which raised $7500 for the VICSES Torquay unit.
Bottom: Torquay Lions Club Charity Bowls Day raised $7500 thanks to the generous support of bowlers and sponsors of the day.

Torquay Lions were involved in the the Getjawil Garden since its inception in early 2020, working closely with the Quay Community Association. Lions won a grant from Energy Australia and together with a grant from Barwon Water as well as Council funding, the project began.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles performed a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony to commemorate the completion of the garden. The formalities were hosted by Surf Coast Shire Council CEO Robyn Seymour, Deputy Mayor Liz Pattison and Cr Kate Gazzard.
The Getjawil Garden is on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, and pay respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.
The Yarning Circle and indigenous Edible Garden provides our community with a permanent educational and cultural place to learn more about our rich local Aboriginal history and to hear stories from the Wadawurrung People. Getjawil means “many” in Wadawurrung, and it is a place where many can meet.
Check it out! It is in Nautical Drive, between Onshore Drive and Beachley Lane.

For the Royal Children’s’ Hospital Good Friday Appeal this year, Torquay’s organiser is aiming to raise $10,000 from the local community.
“Over the past few years, the total raised for the Good Friday Appeal each year has risen to reaching more than $6000 last year,” declared Torquay Co-ordinator Peter McMahon.
“Between now and Good Friday, we will have tin shakers out and about in shopping centres around Torquay, caravan parks and wherever we think we can raise donations.
“ So far, we have gathered collectors from Deakin University, Torquay Lions Club and the Torquay RSL and all are keen to help us achieve our dream target of $10,000, McMahon said.
According to McMahon, raising funds through the Good Friday Appeal, resonates with many families who have had some contact or contacts with the Royal Children’s Hospital over the years.
“Almost every family has been touched in some way the Children’s Hospital has helped so many youngsters,” McMahon stated.
“To put in a dollar or two to help the hospital with research, care and rehabilitation comes quite readily with most donors.
“I recognise that times have not been so good for some people during the recent pandemic, but it is so often the ones who can spare the least that are the most generous.
“ This year, because people are become so used to QR codes and paying for services with their phones or cards, we have organised a QR code which leads to Torquay’s Good Friday Appeal virtual tin for donors,” McMahon explained.
“The QR Code, shown here, will accept gifts from those used to paying by card or phone.

“Try it out,” McMahon suggested.
Aiming to raise $10,000 is not an easy task. Anyone who would like to help raise funds should contact Peter McMahon on 0411 112 047.

Photograph
Torquay Coordinator for the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital, Peter McMahon, St Therese Primary School student Sam Burke (11) and Torquay Lion Deb Law prepare for busy times raising $10,000 for the appeal.

Sunday March 6th was Lions Awareness Day. To celebrate, Torquay Lions took part in the Clean Up Australia campaign. We met at Cosy Corner at 8 am for a foreshore clean-up. Eight Lions braved the wind and drizzle to pick up rubbish, lots of cigarette butts, band aids, bottle tops, plastic ties, face masks, a child’s scooter and so on.

Torquay Lions have been given permission to set up a window display in the old Bendigo Bank building in Gilbert Street in Torquay. The display highlights the activities the club is involved in.

Torquay Food Aid will make things a little brighter at Christmas for their clients with specially packed hampers loaded with donated goods.
Once again, Torquay Lions Club has provided their famous Lions Christmas Cakes to go into hampers. Here, Lion President Neil Roche (right) hands over cartons of cakes to Torquay Food Aid’s President Michael Buckley and volunteer Sally Bowen.
The Lions cakes are available in Gilbert Street during the week, the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and at Bunnings Torquay.

Lions Club President Neil Roche said today the success of Torquay’s inaugural duck racing season in 2020, has led to a bigger event this year.

“Our Club is aiming for 300 ducks (the little yellow type that float) to race off in heats, on 11 December 2021,” he said. 
“The exact venue and time will be announced on the day, subject to weather and tides.  The event will go live to our club Facebook page, @lionstorquay, yes, we do have one).”
Lion Neil invited Surf Coast residents, and anyone else, to ‘adopt’ a duck, for $10.00 each duck.
“If all ducks are adopted for race day, and thanks to our sponsors donating prizes to the value of $500, the Lions will raise $3,000 to put back into the community,” he said.
“Tickets are available through this Lions’ Club website, just click on this Link We suggest you get in quickly before they are all adopted, as happened last year.
“You can also catch us selling in Gilbert Street, or at the Farmers Market during November,” Lion Neil pointed out.
Lion Neil assured the community that no ducks (or Lions) will be injured in this event; no plastic ducks will be lost to our beautiful oceans and waterways; and he is very confident none will fly away!
“It’s been a difficult year for many, including for the Lions to get together and fundraise.  So, the idea of a bit of fun, and the ability to financially support our local community, is something to which the club is looking forward.”

Photograph
Four years old Harriet, helped by dad, Steven Reaper, checks the floatability of the Lions Club’s little yellow ducks in preparation for the Beached Duck Races to be held on 11 December at a Torquay location being kept under wraps at this time.

It’s great to be back! Torquay lions (from left) Robert Grubb, Tom Harding, Terena Lane and President Neil Roche with handfuls of freshly sizzled sausages for Bunnings’s customers last week (15/08). To replenish their community funds, the Lions seek all opportunities to raise monies for disbursement to needy persons and organisations in Torquay.

Customer Daryl Collings, waits patiently for his sausage and onions as Torquay Lions argue over who has the best-cooked product and the right to serve him. Lions (from left) Robert Grubb, Tom Harding, Terena Lane and Neil Roche mix work and pleasure as they go about raising funds for the Australian Lions Foundation (ALF) flood disaster relief. The club donated $500 from their community fundraising to the ALF.

The annual Changeover Dinner of the Torquay Lions Club was held at the Torquay Lions Village recently (24/6) and a new executive team was installed for the next 12 months.
Torquay Lions’ Zone Chairman Les Cropley, formally installed the new team at the Changeover Dinner.
Past President Bill was proud to announce at the dinner that the Torquay Lions had distributed just on $35,000 to local, national and international causes during the past year.
“Lions worked hard to raise those funds for distribution despite the COVID restrictions,” he said.
“More importantly, however, the money raised from the community all went back to various communities in one form or another,” he emphasised.
Incoming President Neil Roche pointed out to his new executive team that their year’s activities had already begun, and they would gather quickly to cross-pollinate any new ideas to ensure another successful year.
Lions in the Executive Team supporting the President this year are Colin Bellis, Leadership Team; Ken Farrow, Secretary; and Brian Keane, Treasurer.
“Like many other service organisations, Torquay Lions are an ageing group, and although we have a few younger members, we need more people between 25 and 60 to try their hand serving the community,” Lion Neil pointed out.
“Most people who try out working with Lions, join us for the satisfaction they receive serving others,” he concluded.

At its recent Changeover Dinner (24/7), Torquay Lions Club’s new President Neil Roche, looks to the year ahead while Lions Zone Chairman Les Cropley listens attentively.

Torquay’s coveted Lion of the Year award was presented to Lion Peter McMahon by the outgoing President Bill Ferguson for his considerable achievements during the past 12 months.

At Torquay Lions Club Changeover Dinner, Lion Terena Lane, a relatively new member of Torquay Lions, received a new award – the Rising Star Award - from outgoing President, Bill Ferguson, for her outstanding efforts during the past year.