Five decades of lions

By Lachlan Ellis

The Bacchus Marsh Lions Club has commemorated its 50th anniversary, with members and their families attending a celebratory dinner.

There was plenty to reminisce about, with both past and present members of the Bacchus Marsh chapter in attendance at the local Public Hall on 29 October – the same building where the club was chartered, back in 1972.

District Governor of the Lions District 201V1-4, Robyn Falloon, awarded Russ Hendry and Len Murfitt with 50 Year Monarch awards, signifying their active involvement in the Club since it was founded.

Mr Hendry said he was proud to have been involved in the Lions Club for all that time, and contribute to its service to the community of Bacchus Marsh & District.

“Len and I are the only two active members still in the Club from when it was founded. The Lions Club have done a great job, communities don’t exist without volunteers,” he told the Moorabool News.

“We’ve probably raised $5 million for the community over that time, we’ve done some pretty major events, built Providence…we’ve done some pretty big jobs.”

Also in attendance was guest speaker Dr Graeme Pollock OAM, Director of the Lions Eye Donation Service, which has helped restore the sight of over 10,000 undergoing corneal transplants since it was opened in 1991.