THERE was a time when a member of a Lions club could be expelled if they missed three consecutive fortnightly dinner meetings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“That’s right, if you missed three dinners in a row, you were out!” Tony Prior recalled.
The international service club has since relaxed that rule.
“They’re a lot more flexible now,” Mr Prior smiled.
It’s one of many changes that Mr Prior, a retired pharmacist, has witnessed in his 50 years with Lions.
But the big change that he cites is the inclusion of women to the organisation.
Those two changes, alone, are good reason for locals to take a fresh look at joining their local Lions club, he said.
Mr Prior first joined Lions at Branxton, in 1968.
He transferred to Singleton Lions in 1979, and then to Wangi Lions in 2012.
“When I started with Lions it was all men,” he said.
“But today the president of Lions Clubs International is a woman [Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir, of Iceland], and I’d say at Wangi Wangi the mix of men and women members is now almost 50-50,” he said.
Fellow Wangi Lion, Simon Bertaglia, said the inclusion of women had improved Lions.
“Women bring a good skill set that complements that of the men,” he said.
“They’re well organised, they help a lot, and they’ve definitely bolstered the organisation and co-ordination of the organisation.”
Earlier today: Caring for the carers
Mr Prior said some Lions activities were the same wherever you went.
“Barbecues are certainly a big part of what Lions clubs do, and most Lions clubs are involved in the Youth of the Year program,” he said.
But he said the 30-strong group of Lions at Wangi Wangi was an impressive and productive bunch who worked hard for their local community.
“They’re very motivated at Wangi Lions Club,” he said.
The Wangi Wangi centenary celebrations in 2016, the annual Dobell Festival of Arts and Crafts, Christmas carols and the installation of exercise stations on the Wangi foreshore are just a few of the projects the Wangi Lions had overseen, he said.
Mr Prior encouraged more locals to join their local Lions club.
At Wangi Wangi, the Lions club dinner meetings are held monthly, usually at Wangi Bowling Club, and feature a guest speaker.
There are no onerous attendance or participation requirements, and people from all walks of life are welcome.
Mr Bertaglia said prospective members shouldn’t assume that they don’t have the required skills set for Lions.
“It’s all about attitude really, rather than skills,” he said.
“And Lions is one of the few charities that is not aligned with a religious organisation.”
Mr Prior said it was a continual source of satisfaction to be part of an organisation that served the local community.
“You really can achieve more as part of a group than you can as an individual,” he said.
“Fun and fellowship. That’s what it’s about. It doesn’t have to be all serious. I’ve made friends all over the place through Lions.”
- To learn more about Wangi Lions Club, phone membership officer Warren Jeffers on 0488 717 108.