Lions launch state of the art barbeque on wheels

AFTER years of fundraising and receiving grants and donations from local business and organisations, the Buninyong Mt Helen Lions Club has finally taken possession of a custom-built barbeque trailer.

Immediate Past President David Page said planning for the trailer had taken three to four years.

“We budgeted for $20,000 and it has gone just a little over – $21,000/$21,500,” he said.

“The club thought there was a need for a new trailer as the one we had been using is 20 years old now and we just needed to update it.

“This is more than a barbeque, it’s a catering machine, it’s got hot water, sinks, it’s got everything including a pull-out bar fridge and hot-plate, more storage than we could have wished for all in one place totally self-sufficient for any emergency.”

“Other clubs and the community of Buninyong – schools, kinder any community group in Buninyong and district will be able to use it for their needs.”

Lions Clubs are noted for their community work, including fundraising sausage sizzles, and the barbeque will get its fair share of use.

The Buninyong Mt Helen Lions Club is involved helping people who have been affected by natural disasters like the Scotsburn fires, and this year’s drought.

“The main contributor was the Bendigo Community Bank in Buninyong, the city council also contributed some money, Australian Lions Foundation contributed, as well, Jayco Ballarat gave us a donation of equipment and so did Fire Logic,” Mr Page said.

Rounding off the purchase balance were funds from their bookshop in Buninyong.

“Today is just a thank you to the Buninyong Community Bank because without them we would still be fund raising, they get behind us in a lot of ways,” Mr Page said.