Community & Business
12 July, 2023
Clifton Lions complete annual changeover
On Saturday, 1 July, Clifton Lions celebrated their 56th annual changeover and distribution of funds.
The installing officer was 1st Vice District Governor Richard Williams, who along with his Lion wife Debbie, were visiting Clifton for the first time.
Clifton Lion Peter Bisdee was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship for his work for Lions and in the community.
Over the past financial year, the Clifton Lions donated close to $17,000 to a wide range of projects, events and organisations, including to local schools, charities, families and community organisations.
This includes over $2,000 to Lions projects, over $1,000 each to Australian Lions Foundation’s flood appeal and Ukrainian refugees project, donations to breakfast clubs at Clifton and Nobby state schools and Clifton State High School and to Can Do Cottage, Clifton Local Ambulance Committee, Clifton Scouts Group and many more.
Retiring President Peter Free delivered this report:
It has been an honour to be President of this great club for the last 12 months.
Our numbers have increased throughout the year, we’ve remained steady at 15 members.
However, we’ve all been able to do our bit in serving this community.
Over the years our main fundraiser for the club has been our weekly ‘Goose Club’ raffles held at the Clifton Arms Hotel, with continued support from the public and publican Leanne.
I’d also like to make a special mention to Boxer Byrne who is always willing to help with the draw.
This Raffle has declined in revenue over the last 12 months which is, I guess, a sign of the times.
We have tried for a little diversity with having four major raffles throughout the year, our thanks to Lion Cathy for organising this.
Our first function for the year was catering at the Remolea Stud Bull Sale in July.
In August we helped man the gate at the Leyburn Sprints.
This year with the help of Westbrook, Pittsworth and Toowoomba West clubs we were able to donate $2000 to Angel flight and the same to Lions Prostate Cancer research from funds raised at the Sprints.
The annual Clifton Country Week celebrations were held in October where we had a very busy few days.
The Friday saw us setting up for the Iris & Rose Show as well as running a barbecue at the Bush Dance that night.
Next morning, we staffed our usual market stall then pulled down the Iris & Rose Show.
We then had a trivia night on the Saturday.
We also ran the gate at the Clifton Race Day as well as the car park, the following Saturday.
At the annual Clifton Christmas Street Carnival, we ran our usual barbecue but, due to an outbreak of Covid in the club, we were very short on staff and the Clifton State School P&C came to our rescue by helping with staff.
This was much appreciated.
As well this year Clifton Lions ran the Christmas Lights expanded competition this was well supported by householders and businesses in town.
The prizes and floodlighting for the night carnival was sponsored by a grant from the Clifton Community Op Shop.
We also had another barbecue in January for the Australia Day breakfast.
The barbecue trailer was out again for Anzac Day where we catered for breakfast and lunch on the day.
As well as these events that I’ve mentioned here we have also represented ourselves with work at FarmFest, Camp Duckadang and Toowoomba West’s Christmas Wonderland.
We also look after our O. B. Bell Park doing the maintenance of the garden.
Our mints and cakes chair Lion Peter Bisdee has again done a great job, with our cake sales holding their own.
Bingo and computer club are new for our club this year and are a little slow taking off but we will persevere.
We recently did another barbecue for ‘Chappy Week’, assisting our local chaplains in their work in our schools with food for their Bush Dance - this was again well supported.
I’m sure I have forgotten other things we’ve done as a club throughout the year, but I feel that you’ve all done a great job.
I thank you all for the support you’ve given me especially to Lion Maryann who has carried out her job as secretary (amongst other things she does for Lions) and Lions Cathy and Sharon who have handled the books very professionally and overseen the change to electronic banking.
In closing, thank you all for a great year and I look forward to working with you all in the coming 12 months.
