No Australia Day concert in Taylor Park

THE Torquay Lions Club will not be celebrating Australia Day in 2022 with its long-standing Australia Day concert and sausage sizzle in Taylor Park.

Club president Neil Roche said this year was the second in a row the Torquay Lions had not been able to host the traditional event because of the impact of the coronavirus.

“Last year, COVID knocked it off our calendar of activities and it is disappointing we are unable to run the event again this year,” he said.

“Although COVID restrictions are not as strict as last year, there is a definite attitude among the community not to mix socially in large numbers.

“Usually Australia Day has been held in Taylor Park, but we have decided not to proceed this year as it would have been difficult gathering together musicians, speakers, sausage sizzlers and distributors who all combine for the event.”

The Torquay Lions will have their barbecue trailer and Lions Train at Elephant Walk on Sunday, January 23 from 10am-2pm.

“Our sausage sizzles continue to be extremely popular with people, especially families, and our train will, no doubt, carry dozens of young passengers around the Elephant Walk path,” Mr Roche said.

The Lions have some fruit cakes and puddings left over from Christmas and these will be sold at the barbecue trailer at Elephant Walk.

“We have limited storage space for the cakes and puddings, and we want to reduce our stock as quickly as possible,” Mr Roche said.

“As well, we are looking for a few younger members in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to take over the reins from some of our older members unable to assist any more with physical tasks.”

The Lions meet twice a month at the Lions Village, Kooringa Place, Torquay.

Anyone interested can chat with one of the Torquay Lions at the barbecue trailer or Lions Train to find out more about what Lions do locally, nationally and globally.