RAYMOND Terrace Lions Club is celebrating a milestone 70th anniversary of service to the local community.
Membership chair Annette Clark says the club is “extremely proud” of its achievements as a volunteer service group over the past seven decades.
“Year to year we make a huge difference to this community and to the lives of people who need our help and assistance,” Ms Clark told News Of The Area.
The 2026/2027 board has just been sworn in and is already hard at work.
Disbursement of over $100,000 was made during the 2025/2026 period and saw the completion of some large collaborative projects, with the sunshade over the children’s play equipment in Riverside Park to name just one.
“Childhood Cancer Research received $10,000 from our now famous Biggest High Tea and we got on board with other clubs within the district to help the Port Stephens Domestic Violence Core & Cluster,” said Ms Clark.
“All charities, schools, churches and community groups benefited from our endeavours. We Care Connect received a Christmas Toy drop, a Winter Clothes appeal and even a new fridge for their new premises,” she said.
“$4000 was donated from a Bunnings barbecue appeal for Chloe, a young girl navigating leukemia.The strain on family finances when this occurs is enormous and we are happy to help.The added support from her family, friends, sports groups and the like was truly uplifting. You could say ‘where there is a need, we will endeavour to help’.”
Apart from the monetary assistance given, the Lions Club are proud to participate in a variety of projects that assist in other ways.
Plenty of support has been given to the Lions Eye Health program, which is fundamental in the early detection of eyesight issues in our young children.
This can have a profound impact on their learning ability.
“School Breakfast Club, School Sports Shirts, Tidy Town projects, the Police DV day at Lakeside and not to forget our most valued Driver Reviver campaign,” Ms Clark said.
“The hope is that we have saved a life or two by simply being there. We are extending the times that we open the kiosk up at 12 Mile as the traffic on our roads just gets busier.
“All this work can only be possible because of our members, but like all volunteer groups we need more.
“More people who want to make a difference, more people who want to help, more people who care about the homeless, the disadvantaged, and at times, the unfortunate within our community.”
For more information email raymondterrace.nsw@lions.org.au
By Chris KARAS
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