Lions are people just like you ! 

THE LIONS ORGANISATION

June 7

USA

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest, most active service clubs organisation, with 1.5 million members in more than 180 countries. Lions members are caring people, men and women who enjoy working together and making things happen. They provide help and assistance to the youth, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged of the community.

Lions Clubs grew rapidly, first through the US and then around the world.

September 29

Australia

The first Lions Club in Australia was formed in the northern NSW City of Lismore on July 1st, 1947, largely through the efforts of William R. Tresise, a hardware merchant in the town. Tresise, who had been a national president of the Apex movement, had been empowered by Melvin Jones to bring Lions to Australia. The official Charter was presented to the new club on September 29 in the same year.

A club in nearby Murwillumbah followed in 1948, then in 1952 the first capital city clubs were formed, first in Melbourne and then in Sydney. This signalled the beginning of the subsequent rapid expansion of Lions throughout Australia. We in turn have introduced Lions to New Zealand, PNG, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands. Today, 50 years later, there are 30,000 members in more than 1400 Clubs in Australia.

The Lions

Organisation

The Association's headquarters remains in Chicago, close to the 1917 formation venue. It is managed by an elected Board of 34 members, representing all parts of the globe. Australia and its neighbours have been continuously represented on the Board since the election of our first International Director, James D. Richardson BEM in 1958. Major policy matters are determined by delegates to the annual international convention, the largest such gathering in the world.

Lions Clubs, the basic unit of the Association, are grouped into geographical Districts which, in turn, are grouped into Multiple Districts. The District Governors of the 20 Districts in Australia and Papua New Guinea form an administrative body known as Multiple District 201 Council. Each year delegates from the 1400 Clubs come together at a National Convention to debate policy, to learn and to enjoy fellowship.

Lions Clubs –

We Serve

The voluntary service performed by Lions takes many forms, from majorinstitutions and far reaching programs to simple acts of support to those in need.

The motto of every Lions Club is We Serve. Whether helping the sight or hearing impaired, conducting drug or diabetes awareness campaigns, providing community recreation facilities or support for the disabled or disadvantaged, giving opportunities to the young or aid to the elderly, or raising the funds to make it all possible - Service always comes first for Lions Clubs and their members.

LIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Lions Clubs –

a world citizen

Lions Clubs are committed to helping solve health and social problems, locally and globally. In 1945 Lions leaders played an important role in formulating the non-government sections of the United Nations Charter. Since 1947 Lions have held consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council.

Lions Clubs

Foundation

Compared to some charities the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is only young, a newcomer to the world of philanthropy. But its already impressive record of helping those in need, starting with the first grant approval in 1972, has propelled it firmly onto the international stage.  A charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, LCIF has three major objectives: humanitarian services, vocational assistance and major disaster relief. It also oversees the funding and progress of major Lions programs, including the ambitious SightFirst project.

Lions Clubs around the world, and, of course, in Australia, can apply to LCIF for assistance with major projects such as hospitals, schools and youth facilities. Emergency grants are made for rebuilding and restoring necessary services after natural disasters. In 1996-97 LCIF made grants in excess of $25 million.

The most ambitious program yet undertaken by Lions was an Australian initiative. Since Helen Keller's stirring 1925 challenge for Lions to become her "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" sight has been a major Lions emphasis.

Lions Clubs around the world have raised $200 million to fund this program, which has already restored sight to over a million people through a simple cataract operation. Sight workers are being trained and Lions eye hospitals built in developing countries.

International Youth

A basic object of Lions Clubs International is to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world - where better to start than the young?  Lions make a strong service commitment to young people through a number of international youth programs:

Each year millions of students develop life skills and self-esteem through the Lions- Quest curriculum. Lions-sponsored Leo clubs are involved in a range of community service activities. Amongst the numerous other youth programs, Lions Youth Exchange gives young people the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge of other cultures, with emphasis on family and community life. Lions youth camps provide another perspective.

LIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA

LIONS CLUBS

From hospitals and retirement villages to kindergartens and youth programs, for more than 50 years-Lions have made a difference to the quality of life of many thousands of Australians.

HEALTH

No matter how large the national health budget or how tight the welfare net there will always be gaps. That's where Lions come in.

Improving things for the visually disabled is a traditional Lions activity. Lions Save Sight institutes around Australia provide specialist services and undertake research projects ranking them as world leaders in the field. Lions have established Chairs of Ophthalmology in universities. Lions operate most of the country's Eye Banks, have provided many Talking Books and were pioneers in extending specialist services to outback areas.

Lions supported the development of the Bionic ear, bringing new possibilities to hearing impaired youngsters.  Lions established and operate Australia's only centre for the training of Hearing Dogs for people with hearing problems. Trained to react to the sound of the telephone, a knock at the door, the cry of a baby, or in an emergency, these animals bring security and confidence to their owners.

Major foundations and health institutes established by Lions Clubs in all States make substantial contributions to the health of the country.  Researchers in the Lions Research Centre at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital have developed a vaccine for cervical cancer. The Nurses

Prostate and other cancers, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Motor Neurone Disease, Stroke, Renal problems, Melanoma, Rheumatism and Arthritis, Marine Stinger research and encouragement of organ donor programs are some of the areas to which Lions Clubs are contributing.

The Lions Cord Blood and Childhood Cancer Research Appeal has, since 1996 raised close to $2,300,000 to fund advances in research for a cure for childhood cancer and exciting new health and transplant possibilities. Lions are supporting Cord Blood Banks and research in this field in several States.

The home dialysis program in Australia was initiated by Lions Clubs. 

Adopted in 1995, the national Lions MS Foundation has made possible discoveries which will contribute towards a cure for this disease.

The Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation, in partnership with the Spastic Centre of NSW, undertakes ‘Australian’ production of the David Hart Walker, a deceptively simple yet sophisticated English invention that enables many children with cerebral palsy to walk for the first time in their lives.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

If the country's future is in its youth, then Australia's Lions Clubs are making an investment in that future.

The Lions-Quest living skills programs are arguably the world's best.  Lions have trained over 5,000 Australian teachers. Each year 250,000 students, from kindergarten to senior years, receive the benefit of healthy and responsible lifestyle education.

ALDAF - the Australian Lions Drug Awareness Foundation - produces videos, books, leaflets and other educational material and is recognised as an active and effective participant in the drug education field.

 For more than 30 years the Lions Youth of the Year Quest has encouraged student interest in leadership and the qualities required for active and constructive participation in the community.

An international youth group under the auspices of Lions, Leo clubs give young people leadership, experience, opportunity and fellowship through involvement in community service.

Young Australians are given the opportunity to experience family life and the culture of other countries, and reciprocate by hosting youth from overseas.

Lions youth camps are conducted across Australia. Specialised camps, such as those for children and teenagers with Diabetes, are a regular part of the program. We hosted a major international camp for teenagers with Diabetes in 1996.

Lions arrange beach holidays for country children, take bus-loads of disadvantaged children for holidays at the Lions Licola Village, provide scholarships and employment assistance schemes, host the Lions Children of Courage awards, produce Identikid cards, and lots more.

In times of crisis Lions Clubs can respond quickly. Victims of floods and cyclones, of 'earthquakes, fires and drought have been helped by Lions relief efforts.

People in Maitland and Brisbane; in Darwin and Newcastle, indeed in centres all over the country at some stage or another, have been helped in time of need.

Lions parks are seen around Australia - they were the first facilities provided in many country towns. Today Lions are active in clean-up campaigns, tree planting, land reclamation and many other environmental activities.

Every dollar raised by Lions Clubs goes directly to help the community.  Ongoing funds are provided by the sale of Lion Mints and Lions Christmas cakes, supplemented by a range of fundraising activities as wide as the imagination of the members.

Lions Clubs International

PURPOSES

To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.

To Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.

To Fund and otherwise serve the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.

To Assist financially, culturally, socially, and morally the disabled, disadvantaged and infirm of the community both directly and also indirectly.

To Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.

To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.

To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavours