Woodend Lions Club 50 years of lending a hand in our community

The village of Woodend in 1972 sat on the winding Calder highway over an hour and a half from the big smoke. It was a town with some light industry, a rural focus and a growing community spirit. Kyneton Lions Club , one of the first in Australia, worked with some interested folk to begin new club in the growing town.

So we began,,,,,,,,,,,,,.

The annual Art show, now in its 49th year, has become a focus for many local artists, a venue to make sales, win prizes and build an audience. The depiction of the regional landscape has remained one popular theme.

Many homes in Woodend have walls hung with art from the show. Prize winners were acquired by the Club and displayed in the Shire offices in High street. After amalgamation of the shire, the prize winners went to the offices in Kyneton until the Lions auctioned them to begin scholarships for young local artists off to tertiary study. While the show has moved on from those early years it remains a significant exhibition for artists and locals alike.

The Club took over the running of the monthly Community Market in the 80’s and has held it monthly since ( foregoing the winter months). Many locals over time who’ve made or grown things, or who wanted to fundraise have found the popular market a good venue. This market was joined on the calendar by the Famers market 10 years ago with significant co-operation and shared purpose. Taking the necessary precautions, the community market powered through the years of pandemic restrictions, with over a thousand folk circulating and meeting each other outdoors each Sunday.

We have supported the SES, CFA,

As new groups gathered to focus on issues of shared concern Woodend Lions often provided seed funding or chipped to allow growth. Lifestyle Carers (24/7 Carers respite project.), CWA as it got going, Men’s Shed, Field trip ( a great youth programme) ,Read Victoria 9 a local initiative ..(primary and secondary), Story circles, Little Aths. and an Early Age Autism support group show the range. the men’s shed in one project we supported worked with teenagers to build architectural cubby houses to raise money for homelessness.it important we involve the young in seeking solutions.

 Our environmental projects have ranged from Habitat boxes after the 2021 storms to support for Landcare and wildlife rescue. Household battery recycling at neighbourhood house. Citizenship scholarships are offered annually to grade sixers who’ve lead in helping others. The range of projects are vast.

We have maintained our focus on our neighbors who need a hand by providing firewood, by donating to foodbanks and by being part of the Woodend Community Chest. We want to live in a town where people have adequate food and are warm in winter… important in the mountains here.

A yearly outdoors Christmas Carols event continues gather locals, singers and the vocally challenged to share the love.

Woodend Lions club is part of a national and international organisation and such has played a role in offering aid in many crises. From Lions cash promptly given in the aftermath of flood, fire, earthquake and famine on the international stage to fodder runs to the fire effected regions in Australia the Woodend club regularly contributes . Medical research into diabetes, blindness and cancer is funded by the collective effort of local clubs.

We welcome interest from any community members to see how we work and see how being a Lion might work for you. We are also open to expressions of interest from any community groups seeking assistance and support. For anyone who wants more information about being involved in Lions Clubs in Australia click here or to Contact Woodend Lions Club directly click here.