Local Lions donate to volunteer-operated tourist railway

THE Lions Club of Clifton Springs/Curlewis has successfully been feeding the Bellarine Railway’s ‘Day Out With Thomas’ patrons and railway volunteers since 2013.

The popular two-day event is held in January, April and October each year, at the Queenscliff Station and can attract more than 5000 patrons.

At these events, the railway’s volunteers are busy bringing characters like Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas, Douglas, Oliver, Salty and those Troublesome Trucks to life.

Therefore, the Lions Club members arrive with a smile to prepare a menu of egg and bacon rolls, chicken skewers with coleslaw and barbecue sausages – which have always had the onion put on first!

The proceeds from this barbecue help the Lions Club fund important community based projects, and they recently presented the Bellarine Railway with a donation of $2,000 to help improve the event, which has been supporting the club.

Thanks to this very generous donation, families attending the next Day Out With Thomas event on April 13-14, will be able to start enjoying the rides and activities sooner with a reduced waiting time.

New iPhones for scanning tickets and a mobile trolley will remove the need for volunteers to check tickets manually.

In addition, two new marquees will provide much needed shade for both patrons waiting to get a barbecue lunch and the Lions Club members serving them.

The Lions Club of Clifton Springs/Curlewis was established in 2012, and is a not for profit organisation, that supports other not for profits.

These include the Bellarine Food Bank, Clifton Springs Primary School, Community Meals Program in Geelong and other not for profit groups.

Each member of the Clifton Springs/Curlewis Club, have the desire to be part of an organisation that does good locally, as well as internationally.

Their members come from many different walks of life and ages, with their oldest member recently turning 90 years old.

The Bellarine Railway is a not for profit organisation operated by volunteers whose objective is to bring the heritage railway experience to people of all ages throughout Victoria.

It is one of the largest tourist attractions on the Bellarine and relies on events such as Day Out With Thomas to provide the funding to keep the wheels turning.

New volunteers are always welcome and a variety of roles are available to suit most interests – including being Thomas the Tank Engine’s Driver for a day!

For more information about the Lions Club of Clifton Springs/Curlewis contact Mandy, either by email [email protected] or by phoning 0432 595 265.

Details about the Bellarine Railway’s other events, train trips and experiences can be found at bellarinerailway.com.au or by calling 5258 2069. See also “Thomas and the Easter Bunny on track at Bellarine Railway”