MOREE Lions Club is seeking new members to help man their famous barbecue and raise money for local charities, community groups and organisations.
Club members will be in their usual spot at Moree Markets tomorrow, June 1, halfway down the Jellicoe Park pathway, with early morning bacon and egg sandwiches.
By mid-morning, they’ll be grilling steak and onion sandwiches and sausage sandwiches – and the recruitment drive is now on to help to boost numbers.
Beth Hearn joined Moree Lions after retiring from running her own business for 40 years.
“We all need a goal, no matter our ages, so becoming a member of Moree Lions might be just what some people are looking for,” Beth said.
Moree Lions Club has over the years raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the money stays in town.
All money raised from any function Moree Lions attend goes back to the community.
“Lions is a worldwide organisation that wants to make a difference to those in need. We change lives by raising money for our local community,” Beth said.
“We’re a group of likeminded people who want to help others – wherever there’s a need, there’s a Lion,” she smiled.
“Lions organise hay runs for drought and flood disasters – we’re generally the second responders in such emergencies – and donate money where it’s needed in the community.”
Beth, who earlier this year was presented the 2025 Australia Day Mayoral Award by Moree Plains Shire mayor, Susannah Pearse, said all profits from Lions fundraising goes back to the Moree community.
“Last year in Moree we donated $40,000 locally,” Beth said.
Donations included special seating for the mental health unit at Moree District Hospital, six specially-designed bicycles for Tourism Moree and $6000 to local schools.
“The bikes at Moree Tourism are there for visitors to hire. They included trackers, carry bags that can clip to the front of the bikes, kids’ seats if they’re needed, as well as helmets,” Beth said.
Moree Lions Club last year celebrated 70 years of fundraising and community service across the Moree plains.
The Moree branch was officially formed on November 11, 1954 to become the 36th Lions Club of Australia.
Over the course of the next seven decades, hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised and returned to the Moree community.
Moree Lions cater for community activities and events, including Moree on a Plate, race meetings and the monthly Moree Markets.
They also conduct fundraising drives like Lions Christmas Cakes and Puddings each year.
Beth said joining Moree Lions Club is a rewarding experience, and stresses age doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
“We’re not just a group of old people,” she laughed.
“There are plenty of young people in Moree Lions, and what we do is not confined to our barbecue, either.”
Interested?
Moree Lions Club members will be at the Jellicoe Park Moree Markets tomorrow, June 1, with all the information needed about joining the team.
“Every extra hand makes a huge difference, so we can continue serving our community,” Beth said.
Moree Lions Club meet the first and third Thursday of each month at 6.30pm at Moree Services Club
“Come along for dinner, and find out what we’re all about,” Beth said.
Anyone interested in joining Moree Lions Club, or seeking more information, can contact membership chairperson Mary Mather on 0427 809620 or email: tinymary5bigpond.com.
