Community
30 July, 2023
Helping those in need
WHEN it comes to giving back to the community, the Koroit Lions Club is well versed.
From its busy and well-stocked op shop in High Street, the club’s many volunteers go about their business quietly and diligently.
They work hard behind-the-scenes bringing bargains of all sorts to locals and town visitors – all in the knowledge that every dollar raised will go back into their local community to help groups and others in need.
Since the first club was formed in Australia 75 years ago, Lions has grown dramatically in size and impact with over 1200 clubs and 25,000 members now giving back through a range of community-based programs and initiatives.
While some Lions are on a mission to cure childhood cancer and diabetes, others are committed to helping those impacted by drought and floods – many are simply working together to help people in need in their local community.
One thing all Lions have in common is together they are making an incredible difference.
At Koroit, the Lions op shop has 14 Lions members and 13 other volunteers on the roster – enabling it to keep the doors open four days a week.
And shop manager Marg Everard (a dedicated Lion) couldn’t be prouder.
“We have a great lot of people who help out and that’s what makes this shop the success that it is,” Marg said.
“We’ve managed to raise quite a bit of money over the years and that all goes back into the community to help groups and individuals in need.
“We’re proud of what we have been able to do in the past, and continue to do, and we thank everyone who comes in and shops here because without our volunteers and our customers we couldn’t continue to donate as we do.”
The shop was first opened on February 18, 2015 and since then money raised has gone towards such projects as a playground and exercise equipment at the railway station, the local skate park and now the Lions are close to completing a new barbecue in the railway precinct.
“This shop is the backbone of our Lions club in terms of raising some much-needed funds for various projects,” Marg said.
“We also help out at the local art show over the Melbourne Cup weekend, and at the swap meet in March and help man the gate at the Irish Festival, the truck show and the Folkie.”
Koroit Lions Club president Jim Madden said the club would celebrate its 50th anniversary in February next year.
“We currently have about 30 members, and most are active, but we would always welcome new faces,” Jim said.
The club holds a business meeting on the first Monday of the month, a dinner meeting on the third Wednesday and hosts a second-hand furniture sale in its shed in Victoria Park on the third Saturday of each month.
