Moama Lions Club currently has 17 members and it’s on the lookout for more. Photo: Supplied.
Echuca-Moama is a thriving community that is only growing. One of the many reasons people love the region is the multitude of groups they can be a part of.
To help you find the right group, check out our ‘Why not join...’ series each week, where we focus on a community group.
In today’s edition, Lua Ikenasio speaks to Moama Lions Club.
The Moama Lions Club has served the Moama community for the past 47 years, since it was first formed in 1977.
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The group lives up to its motto of — ‘We serve’ — often being found in the background of local events, helping to raise money or carting around their food van to feed the masses.
Moama Lions Club President Bob Hardwick said the club was focused on giving back to the community.
“Our main aim is to keep any money raised in the Moama area, so most of our donations are made to local projects,” he said.
“The Moama Lions Club is involved in many projects, our main event is the Carols by Candlelight, which is a free event for locals and visitors.
“We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and it is still getting bigger and better each year.”
The Lions predominantly raise money through selling delicious Christmas cakes and the Lions’ own brand of mints.
They also run the popular Bunnings barbecues and offer catering for local events.
The club has supported many local initiatives through donations, including Echuca Regional Health and the Cancer and Wellness Centre, Echuca Neighbourhood House and a sensory garden for Murrayvale Aged Care to name a few.
More recently, they donated a special trailer to assist a family with a child with a disability to transport all her equipment, and also donated funds to local parents of a premature baby.
The Lions club donated a custom-made trailer to Alicia Parsons and her daughter Chloe Parsons.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
They are also major supporters of some Lions Australia projects, such as the Children’s Cancer Foundation and the Lions House in Melbourne, which offers affordable accommodation for rural families and patients.
Outside of raising money, the club has also managed the Moama Lions Community Village since 1985.
The 28 units were built to provide affordable accommodation in a safe environment for the aged, while another 10 may be built in the near future.
One advantage of joining the Moama Lions is that you instantly make friends with other Lions.
Mr Hardwick said joining the Lions club could impact people’s lives positively.
“Joining can change your life and make you feel that you achieved something for the community and yourself,” he said.
“Our members are men and women of all ages, occupations and interests. Once you become a member, you can be involved in any way you feel you can contribute.
“Why sit around at home when you can be out making a difference to someone who needs help?”
The Lions are always looking for people who are interested in making a difference through supporting worthwhile projects and want to develop lifelong friendships.
The club meets every second Tuesday of the month for a business meeting and every fourth Tuesday for a dinner meeting at the Moama RSL.
If you are interested in joining Moama Lions, contact Colin Hosking on 0437 370 707 or Bob Hardwick on 0418 313 411.
