Changing the world begins at home
by Lions Club of Warrandyte
10th February 2025
(Feature cartoon: Laurel Retz)
CHANGING the world is not easy.
It takes time and starts at home.
Yet, the power to make the world better rests in our hands.
A single Lions Club cannot change the world, but the Lions Club of Warrandyte can attempt to make a difference.
We are blessed to run one of the best Lions Op Shops in the country.
We are blessed to be part of one of Melbourne’s best markets.
We are blessed to run Asia Pacific’s best Lions Club event (In The Driver’s Seat), giving the opportunity for vision-impaired people to drive a car around Sandown racetrack each year.
Indeed, we can all make a difference.
Our preloved “stuff” from around the home can be upcycled to generate much-needed revenue, improving the lives of many, both at home and abroad.
We can all assist at our community market or help run events that make a difference in people’s lives.
Every small act of service creates a personal impact, and the collective impact of our kindness can change the world.
By serving our community, we are making a difference and doing our part to change the world for the better.
Humanitarian and community service
Our priority is to support our local community.
Changing the world begins at home.
Humanitarian and community service are the underlying hallmarks of being a Lion.
Warrandyte Lions have been doing this for over half a century.
Lions International, with over 1.5 million members in 50,000 clubs in over 200 countries, has been the leading global service organisation for over a century.
No wonder the President of Lions Clubs International, Canadian Dr Patti Hill, imparts the message of “Changing the world” to all Lions around the world.
In turn, if a need ever arises in Warrandyte, Lions Clubs International will come to our assistance.
Donations, sponsorships, and grants
In Warrandyte, our “Op Shop” recycles and upcycles preloved goods to raise funds for our local, national, and international communities.
We distribute these funds through grants, donations, and sponsorships.
Over $65,000 was distributed in 2024; examples include Doncaster All Abilities Basketball, Andersons Creek Primary School, Warrandyte High School, Yarra Warra Preschool, Warrandyte Netball Club, Warrandyte Cricket Club, Warrandyte Historical Society, Thunderball, Warrandyte Pottery Festival, CareNet, Warrandyte Community Church, and Warrandyte Neighbourhood House — along with numerous Lions and other charities Australia wide and internationally.
February 2025 Lions grants
During the Christmas and New Year period, a range of grant applications were invited from local not-for-profit community organisations to apply for projects to improve the lives of Warrandyte residents.
The response was wonderful and some innovative and exciting proposals were put forward.
Naturally, not all requests could be satisfied, but further opportunities for these grants will occur.
The recipients of this series of grants total $96,300 and include:
- Warrandyte Kindergarten $9K — water play area
- CareNet Community Food Relief $12K — new multipurpose space for food preparation and despatch
- Warrandyte Primary School $15K — internal upgrade to heritage-listed building
- Andersons Creek Primary School $17K — traffic safety bike course
- Warrandyte Community Garden $5K — new tool shed
- Warrandyte Neighbourhood House $5K — youth programmes
- Warrandyte Probus Club $1.8K — first-year operating costs
- Friends of Warrandyte State Park $3.5K — rehabilitation of historic garden
- Warrandyte Diary $15K — increase the accessibility of Warrandyte Diary & Manningham & Nillumbik Bulletin by releasing an audible version as a Podcast
- Warrandyte Cricket Club $3K — development of U10s–U18s
- South Warrandyte Cricket Club $5K — essential equipment
- Warrandyte Historical Society $5K — upgrade to archive room
We thank all applicants and invite further applications at our next round of grants or if a need arises.
Warrandyte Lions — changing the world — one step at a time.
