By Ron Lane
Have you ever stopped to think just what it is that those volunteer members of the Noosa Lions Club do and just where, on those many occasions they raise substantial amounts of money, does it go? Well, a short time ago, I was invited to attend the presentation of a new defibrillator to the swim club at the Tewantin State School by the Noosa Lions.
I met with two representatives of Lions Club, Michael Roach and Bill Battilana, and during this time they explained some of their major projects helping those in need. When they mentioned, amongst other things, helping those hit by droughts, being the son of a farmer, who on more than one occasion suffered badly, I pricked my ears. Michael offered to meet or better still, write a list of their endeavours and forward it for my attention. On receiving the said document, it left me amazed and I thought, what could be better than to let this proud Aussie, tell you, the people of our community, in his own words, what they have achieved: not only locally, but for country people in general. Here then, under their title, is their story.
You have made a difference
Buying a Lions sausage is where it all starts. Over the past three years the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club focussed on supporting families impacted by the prolonged drought. Lions is an enabler. We have directed around $400,000 through Q4 Lions District, to areas that stretch from Sunshine Coast northwards and out to the NT border, covering many regional towns, small communities, families, bigger stations and their drovers. We responded immediately and brought relief.
No rain no feed! It all began around August 2018 when Lions conducted a risk assessment needs’ analysis to identify communities in trouble and determine a way forward with Lions support. Drawing upon many other Lions Clubs and Australian Lions Foundation for additional funding, our disaster team divided the western Queensland area into four hub towns from which resources could be sent and then advertised that support was available.
Many emotional calls for help were received. Working through Lions Clubs in these hub towns of Winton, Longreach, Emerald and Springsure, we further identified and delivered to those in perilous need for cash, water, food, cooking gas and food hampers. Amazing assistance was received from the country police and the mayors, in supporting our distribution project in each location. Sometimes even the posties were placing Lions Christmas cakes and food hampers in RMB letterboxes on the roadside. The emails and phone calls of thanks and a friendly chat were very emotional. That’s what our club is all about.
“’I am alright, it’s the farmer next door.” One then knew they were in trouble, typical Aussie attitude. At the end of the day, our efforts focused on the mental health of our farmers, families and children during those critical years of drought. Many people out west had no funds, only sandy paddocks producing absolutely nothing. End result – no income. On one occasion, a big bushie with tears in his eyes said, “No one has ever given me anything.”
Your purchase of the humble Lions sausage, has enabled us to provide $200 cash vouchers for spending in the towns, food hampers, hay deliveries from Victoria, vouchers for cooking gas, distributions of hundreds of Lions Christmas Cakes, wooden toys at Christmas, collection of musical instruments for school bands, funding of field days, plus allocation of funds for the holding of Christmas functions in the major communities. Funding men’s health days and art shows help to strengthen smaller communities.
Then there were the Lions back-to-school grants. As money was in short supply for many of the farmers and townspeople over the last two years, Lions established a back-to-school grant program, for the country youth. This enabled us to provided around 100 grants to different families, from the Burnett region out to Winton and north to Aramac. Our club also funded an extra school teacher for the small town of Jericho and provided uniforms for some of the children.
Another project was the music in the schools and towns. Lions fully funded the recent 1RAR Townsville Army Band tour of 24 musicians. This was one of our main mental [health] endeavours to 14 different western Queensland country towns and small schools along the way. The community at the Longreach Hall of Fame still remembers the fun times of children and parents dancing into the night. The tour is still spoken about. In January 2019, our club had another challenge. It was the floods in Far North Queensland. Once again our disaster team refocused resources on the area, moving stock feed from Winton to Cloncurry, and north to the cattle stations. Also, 100 care packs were hastily arranged for people trapped in cars.
Then came the bushfires. Once again, Lions deployed in Noosa and Yeppoon areas where bushfires raced through the communities. Our Lions Club was activated by Noosa Council and, for four days, provided food at the two evacuation centres. Now our club is preparing for this coming summer and weather events so, don’t forget to buy a Lions sausage, Christmas cake, or make a donation. Our club would like to thank the Noosa community for its ongoing support and for helping our fellow Queenslanders. This year we will put around $50,000 back into the community in various projects from defibrillators to supporting Indigenous youth. Lions Serve and also We Deliver.
Come and join us and have fun while helping others. Any questions, contact Paul on 0409 622 440.Thanks again.
