 |
 THE BEGINNING
Sponsored by the Kyneton Lions Club, our club was chartered on the 17th. December 1971, with 21 members, and has continuously served the community of Castlemaine and districts, ever since. {In fact, two of our original Charter Lions, are still active members of the club}
The present club membership is 24, with ages ranging from 40ish to 80, and including 4 female members. The club membership has fluctuated over the years, usually between 20 and 30, but from a low, several years ago of 18, we have had a resurgence of interest lately, to the present 27.
MEETINGS
The club boasts its own clubhouse, which was built by the members themselves in several stages, commencing in 1982, with the last major addition in 1989. All meetings are held at the clubhouse, which has its own kitchen, dining area and large storage areas for the club property. The clubhouse is located in Kennedy St. Castlemaine, and is accessed via the railway carpark. The land surrounding the clubhouse, including The Lions Park, is located on railway land, leased by the Mt. Alexander Council, on behalf of the Lions Club of Castlemaine. We are currently in the process of extending the Lions Park, to the area immediately to the south of the clubhouse.
The club meets twice monthly, the business meeting on the 2nd. Tuesday{7.30pm start} and the dinner meeting on the 4th. Tuesday{6.30pm for 7pm start} of each month. Unless there are special circumstances, a guest speaker is always part of the dinner meeting. A small, but dedicated group of Lions Ladies, are responsible for the catering, which results in a very high quality, low cost meal.
AWARDS
The club has always been extremely active, and has been recognized on numerous occasions over the past 32 years, by the local council and other community groups. The club has received many awards, among which, a Certificate of Appreciation in the bi-centennial year{1988], by the Mt. Alexander Shire Council. Other awards, include winning the Shire Councils "Australia Day - Event of the Year", in 1994 and 2002, for our annual Swap Meet. and, in October 2003, the club won a Certificate of Merit, at the Taberet Goldfields Tourism Awards for our Swap Meet 2003, in the category of Significant Festivals/Events.
Our present district 201V1-4, and our past districts 201V1 and 201V4, have also recognized our achievements, most recently, in 2002/2003, we won the Top Club Award in the district, as well as the Membership Award, for our membership increases in that year. We have been placed 1st. 2nd. or 3rd. in the District Governors Award, no fewer than 8 times, and have actually won the award on 6 occasions.
PROJECTS
Our most successful project in monetary terms, is our annual Swap Meet, held in Autumn, and since its inception in 1985, it has grown annually, and has now reached the stage, where it has raised over $50,000 over the last 4 years. The funds raised are distributed back into the local community, and other Lions projects.
|
|
