LIONS Clubs across Australia have been servicing the nation for nearly 80 years, and the Moree chapter has been looking after this neck of the woods for 70 of them.
That’s a lot steak sandwiches over a lot of years, and two former members who manned the barbecue for most of those decades will, in the coming weeks, celebrate the milestone with past and present members.
Geoff Cullen and Barrie Brooks are Moree Lions’ Club cornerstones. They helped shape the club to what it is today and both men share fond memories of their years of service to the Moree community.
Geoff and Barrie have stepped down from active duty, but are still very much connected to Lions.
Barrie, 86, and Geoff, 83, are not as hands-on as they once were.
They racked the aprons and tongs a little while ago, but current members often seek their advice and wisdom.
Barrie, a retired motor mechanic, joined Moree Lions in 1970 and is still a financial member.
Geoff, a former truck driver, signed on in 1965 and served 51 years.
Barrie said he was invited to join Moree Lions by the late John Thompson.
“I don’t get out as much as I used too, but I still attend Thursday night dinner meetings,” he said. Barrie is a four-times Moree club president and twice district convention chair. He has also been zone chairman six times and Moree Golden Grain Festival chair three times.
Geoff, who sat two terms as club president, lists Lions conventions in Adelaide and Tasmania as high points in his long and distinguished involvement with the club.
But being connected at a local level is not all about turning steaks and snags on a barbecue.
Moree Lions also organise regular raffles and fundraisers. In past years, the club co-ordinated street carnivals and annual award ceremonies. The memories are strong for Barrie and Geoff.
“A few years ago, we did a lot of wood-chopping, so pensioners and older members of the community would have a good supply of firewood during the winter months,” Geoff said.
Barrie said the annual Moree Lions Youth of the Year Award was a personal favourite.
“That was a great award because it helped high school students express themselves though public speaking,” he said.
Geoff and Barrie are both recipients of the coveted Melvin Jones Fellowship Medal, named in honour of the Lions Club founder.
“Melvin Jones was also instrumental in making Lions an international organisation,” Barrie said.
Barrie, a Moree Lions Club life member, was in 2021 afforded the JD Richardson Award for 50 years’ service.
The award is named after Jim Richardson, the first Australian to serve as a director on the Lions International board.
Moree Lions Club’s biggest contribution to the district during 70 years of operation was organising and co-ordinating the hugely popular Golden Grain Festival, once held annually in November.
The festival, featuring a huge parade along Balo Street, celebrated the north-west wheat harvest and brought a cavalcade of floats and attractions to the CBD.
“The Golden Grain festival was a fantastic event and brought the community together, and each carnival was special in its own way,” Barrie said.
For Geoff, there was one carnival that stood out.
“It was the second year I was president; we raised a lot of money and had a great carnival. Rain started falling right at the end – the timing was perfect,” he smiled.
Between them, Geoff and Barrie have served the Moree community for more than 100 years.
They both say “fellowship and helping others” are the most rewarding aspects of being a member of Moree Lions Club.
The push is now on to get more men and woman involved with the Lions movement in Moree.
“My advice is to look to the future and encourage like-minded men and women to join Lions, especially at a local level,” Barrie said.
Geoff agreed. “We need to put the word out there about the benefits of becoming a member of Lions – it’s a great organisation,” he said.
Moree Lion Mark Canham encourages newcomers.
‘We are always looking for new members, and the rewards of membership are very worthwhile,” Mr Canham said.
“There is great fellowship. We get in an knuckle down to whatever has to be done to help the community – we’re well-known for heating up the barbie,” he laughed.
Moree Lions have this year raised nearly $40,000 for the Moree community.
Recent recipients include Moree District Hospital, where money raised was used to purchase furniture for the emergency department’s safe assessment room.
The Moree Band, Moree Caledonian Pipes and Drums Band and local schools and learning centres received donations.
“We donate to the schools every year,” Mr Canham said.
“I’ve been involved in service organisations for a long time now, it gets in your blood, and we encourage people to come along for a chat and find out what we’re all about.
“Lions is a club where people form lifelong friendships,” he said.
Interested in connecting with Moree Lions?
Give Steve Long a call on 0428 669184 or message the club on its Facebook page.
Words and Images: Bill Poulos
