Australia’s largest service club organisation, Lions Australia, has reached its 75th milestone. Starting from one Lions Club in Lismore, there are now over 30,000 members in more than 1,300 clubs across Australia.

The Kiama Lions Club was formed in 1969 and has a proud history of helping the community through many projects. One of their initiatives, the Cancer Care Trust Fund, is also celebrating a milestone - supporting local cancer sufferers and their carers for 25 years.

Chairman of the Fund, Gerry Mclnerney, says the Fund does practical things like, “Pay for palliative care medicines, financially help families who need to travel to and from Sydney hospitals for treatment, and support people who may be struggling mentally.

“I get thank you letters on an ongoing basis and we often get approached by people telling us how important our contribution was.”

Russell Fredericks and Gerry McInerney have responsibility for the Cancer Care Trust Fund

To celebrate 75 years of Lions Australia and Kiama Lions longest running program, members will be down at Albion Park Bunnings tomorrow morning (Friday 30 Sept) from 7.30am for a celebratory sausage sizzle and cake.

“It is a celebration and recognition of the work that we, the Lions, do,” Mr McInerney says.

The work Kiama Lions does for the community began with their first project which helped raise money for the Meals on Wheels Van in 1971, and over the last 50 years they have done a lot more including the innovative Lions Carers Cottage.

Every year since Wollongong Lions Club sponsored the foundation of Kiama Lions, they have continually raised and donated money to the Surf Life Saving Clubs and Kiama Pre-School and Primary School, as well as foundations including the Royal Blind Society, Smile Vietnam Foundation Project, Humour Foundation, Spinal Injury Equipment Trust and more.

The Club has also been involved with helping communities that suffered from natural disasters, such as cyclones, bushfires and tsunamis overseas.

Driver Reviver provides a valuable service from a purpose built container

They have raised money for extra beds in Blue Haven and hospitals, and have donated educational books to Sri Lanka and Zambia, as well as children’s books to Wollongong Hospital.

The Club also takes part in annual projects including Driver Reviver, Bunnings barbeques, Clean Up Australia, and their Return and Earn Initiative that contributes to several charities.

This weekend they will be at Nungarry Rest Stop for their Driver Reviver, offering free tea and coffee for travelling holiday makers over the long weekend. They will also be at the Unwind in The Vines clean up, to collect bottles and cans for Return and Earn.

Be sure to drop in tomorrow at Bunnings to thank the Lions for all their efforts.