July 16, 2018
The Kingaroy Lions Club’s efforts over the past year raised almost $46,000 the club could give away to good causes.
This was in addition to the $41,200 the club spent with local businesses who helped supply everything from fresh fruit to sausages, and petrol to overnight accommodation for guests.
The surprising figures were unveiled at last Thursday’s fortnightly meeting, which was attended by guests from RACQ LifeFlight, Kingaroy QCWA’s Twilight Branch and the Taabinga State School chaplaincy program who had all come to accept cheques from the club.
A large slice of the fundraising came from the annual Lions Trail Ride, which saw 888 riders turn up to a Gordonbrook site in late May for a fun weekend of trail riding.
This popular event allowed the Lions to redistribute a whopping $14,000 from their gate takings to the Kingaroy SES, Quota, Nanango Lions, Wooroolin Lions, Crawford State School P&C and the Kingaroy QCWA Twilight branch for their help running it, as well as $5000 to a local butchery to supply meat for the event.
The rest of the group’s fundraising came from sausage sizzles or other assistance members provided at everything from the Burrandowan Picnic Races to the South Burnett Wine & Food In The Park Festival.
Another 16 per cent of this year’s fundraising – $7430 – went to national Lions projects for medical research and youth support.
A further 25 per cent went to assist RACQ LifeFlight, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Motor Neurone Disease research and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
The balance – $12,774 – was donated directly to not-for-profit local groups including the scouts and guides, CTC Emergency Relief, the Kingaroy Women’s Shelter, Kingaroy’s Local Ambulance Committee to help them with their own community projects.
Kingaroy Lions’ immediate past president Norm Jackson and current president Yvonne Dowling said last year had been particularly good for the club, and members were proud of the contribution their volunteer work made to the region.
The club meets at Kingaroy’s Commercial Hotel every second and fourth Wednesday of the month for dinner at 6:30pm, followed by a meeting at 7:30pm.
Potential new members who’d like to find out more about club are always very welcome to come along.
- Related article: Massive Weekend For Kingaroy Lions
[UPDATED with correction]
