Torquay branch celebrates 75 years of Lions

THE Torquay Lions Club have celebrated its part in helping the global club reach the milestone of 75 years of service.

Lions Clubs International began in the USA in 1917 with a vision of improving local communities and the world at large.

The service club spread across the world and three decades later, Australia’s first Lions Club was chartered in Lismore, NSW on September 29, 1947.

Torquay Lions Club president Colin Bellis said he was not only proud of the international Lions movement over those 75 years but also his own club’s contribution.

“Our Lions Club of Torquay was chartered in June 1969, just over 53 years ago.

“Since then, we have completed numerous major projects as well as lots of small jobs, serving our local community.

“Through Australian and International Lions Foundations, Torquay Lions have contributed to national and international humanitarian and disaster relief, and to medical research and assistance.”

He said one of the club’s first major projects was being a driving force behind establishing a community health centre in Torquay.

“Without a medical centre, Torquay was unable to attract a doctor to serve Torquay’s growing population. We are very proud of that achievement.

“Our analemmatic sundial on the foreshore at the end of Darian Road attracts national and international visitors wishing to tell the time as their shadows fall on our indigenous mosaic feature.

“The Sundial was completed in 1996. Its design features traditional Dreamtime stories.”

Mr Bellis said the Lions Playground at Elephant Walk was well known and loved by locals and visitors of all ages.

“It was a project of Lions and the then Torquay Public Reserves Committee with funding from the Victorian government. It was opened in December 1998.”

In 1999, Torquay Lions Club bought land to establish the Lions Retirement Village in Kooringa Place. The first residents moved into their units in March 2001.

More recently, the club has contributed to the Getwajil Garden, featuring a “Yarning Circle” within the Nautical Rise Linear Reserve, which opened in March of this year, and the Great Ocean Views Reserve activation project, which will be completed in 2023.

“Although we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the beginning of Lions International, we will wait to highlight our club’s achievements on our 55th birthday in 2024,” Mr Bellis said.