1956
Jan 6th Inaugural meeting. April 20th Charter
received with membership of 31. In September the ladies were formed
into a Lioness Club.
1957
Furnishings for Mirradong Home for Aged Blind,
over $12,000 raised by Lions Club sponsored efforts and contributions
from citizens of Bendigo and District
1958
50 children from St Aiden's orphanage taken to
Bendigo Show. Christmas card sales. Toys distributed. Picture night
at Golden Drive In.
1959
Commenced work on restoration of Alexandra Fountain.
Boxing tournament, Speedboat carnival on Lake Weeroona, Gun shoot were
some of the fund raisers.
1961-62
Alexandra Fountain restored & reopened 25th
March '61. First Youth Speaks. Golf Day. St Lukes Children's Home &
Garden Gully Reserve and many other charities assisted.
1962 - 63
Lion Frank Taylor President, Cohuna sponsored
and received Charter on 27th April. Bendigo Base Hospital, Meals on
Wheels, Mirradong Home for Aged, Scouts and Guides assisted.
1963 - 64
Lion WiIf Cramer President Illawong project at
Lake Eppalock initiated.
1964 - 65
Presentation of an Ambulance to St John Ambulance.
Exchange student from Little Rock Arkansas.
1966 - 66
Glaucoma screening unit, Bendigo Show, Mirradong
all assisted. Inglewood Club Chartered 5th Nov
1966 - 67
Lion Roy Bakes President Golden Anniversary of
Lions CubsInternational, Lions float in Moomba Parade. Tasmanian Bush
Fire Appeal. Local & overseas projects supported.
1967 - 68
The good works keep going.
1968 - 69
Illawong fenced in.
1969 - 70
Lion Fred Dyeff President Membership of 57. Air
Pageant conducted, Distributed funds of $3,223.00
1970-71
Working bees at Eppalock site. Heathcote Club
Chartered. Inaugural Apex Lions 2000 Madison. District Convention hosted.
1972 - 73
"Illawong" appeal launched. Sponsored
Golden City Lions Club Charter received 3rd Feb.
1973 - 74
"Illawong" project received $10,000
grant. Luna Park trip for disadvantaged children.
1974 - 75
Playground at Peter Harcourt Centre constructed.
Closure of Shamrock Hotel, Dinner meetings at 55 High.
1975 - 76
Golf day, bushland cleanup, Christmas cakes.
Lion Harry J Asian (International President) opened "Illawong"
on 13th April. Strathfieldsaye Lions Club Chartered 12th June
1977 - 80
Apex lions 5000 Madison, many and varied projects,
assistance from Lions Ladies Auxiliary good as ever.
1980 - 81
New entrance and gateway at "Illawong"
and foundations for residential units with help of Strathfieldsaye Club.
25th Anniversary at the newly reopened Shamrock Hotel, Life Membership
Plaques to Lions Wuf Cramer & Frank Taylor.
1982 - 83
Lion Gary Cooper President. District Convention
"Illawong" proving popular Ash Wednesday Fire Appeal.
1984 - 85
In partnership with Kangaroo Flat Club to construct
a Lions Park. Good donations to various groups.
1985 - 86
Celebration of 30th Anniversary. Donald
Club sponsored.
1986 - 90
Continued support for Local & International
projects such as Hospitals, S.E.S, Noahs Ark Toy Library, Meals on Wheels,
Heart Foundation, "Illawong", Deafness Research financed by
many & varied activities.
1991 - 92
A total of $12,093 Disbursed to various charities.
1992-93
Lion Jean McDonald a transfer from Morwell is
the first lady to join the Lions Club of Bendigo.
1993-94
Lion Ian Fern President, again over $12,000 raised
by annual and one off projects and disbursed to charities
1994-95
Lion Alan Rogers President, Catering for Lions
Mobil Rally, Melvin Jones Awards to Lions Wilf Cramer and Frank Taylor.
Lion Roy Bakes completed his 9th term as Club Secretary.
1995-96
Lion Fed Buffham President, 40th Anniversary
celebrated in April, Disbursements included Bendigo Chaplaincy Fund,
S.E.S, Low Vision Clinic, Motor Neurone Association, Sternberg St Support
Service. Funds raised from the Magic Show, Bowls Night, 25th Apex -
Lions Madison, Christmas Tree 20th year), Christmas Cakes and
Lions Mints.
1996 - 97
Lion Tony Harrington President, Another year
full of activity and worthy causes supported.
1997 - 98
Lion Anne Waters President (Dec), Lion Fred Dyett
Honoured with Order of Australia Medal on Queens' Birthday. "Ilawong"
still maintained and used. Activities included Youth of the Year, Luna
Park Trip and other regulars. Our bulletin won the District Governors'
Award for best Bulletin.
1998 - 99
Lion Scott Armstrong President, another busy
year with annual projects - a special "Smoke detector for pensioners'
homes" project funded through Annual Insurance Institute Golf Day.
Catered for a "sausage sizzle" for 1000 curious people who
attended an information day at the Eppalock Dam and had a new BBQ donated
to us as a result.
1999 - 00
Lion John Murphy President, Lions continued to
work tirelessly at our regular projects and new ones such as the purchase
of Hart Walkers responding to community need. New membership just ticking
over
2000-01
Lion Graham Macdonald President, dinner meeting
at "Illawong
Members from other clubs joined us there, speakers at dinner meetings
included 1956 Olympian, cyclist Jack Trickey, monies have been disbursed
for a new recording machine for the "Talking Advertiser" for
vision impaired persons in the district, a new BBQ for the East Bendigo
Scout Group.
2001-02
Lion Ken Martin, President. Highlights of the
year were the Sheep Show, Magic Show, the Christmas Tree lights in Pall
Mall, the Madison Lions and the Peter Harcourt Services.
This year, we finally had Clubrooms to call our own - appropriately,
at the Golden Dragon Chinese Museum.
2002-03
Lion Ken Martin, President. Another highly successful
year
Involving all members in a wide variety of projects, including the Sheep
Show, Magic Show, Madison, a combined event with the Lions Club of Eaglehawk
- Carols by Candlelight and our major on-going project with the Lions
Clubs in our Zone - a scholarship for a student studying radiotherapy
at RMIT.
At Easter, we assisted the Chinese Association by catering for the dragon
legs and supporters involved in the Easter procession. Major donations
were made to the Bendigo Tornado Appeal and the Loddon Mallee Housing
bike project. Following a number of successful fund raising events undertaken
by the Club this year, we are considering changing our name to Sausage
Sizzle Inc!
2003-04
Lion Jim Kerr, President. The sausage sizzles
continued, our Club played host to the State Youth of the Year final,
we sponsored a hearing dog for a local resident, our support of the
radiotherapy student continued, as did the Madison, Magic Show, Chinese
Association Easter Fair. We had some memorable guest speakers and inducted
new members and welcome some transferees from other Clubs.
2004-05
Lion Caroline James, President. We are the hosts
for the International Association of Lions Clubs District 201 V1 Annual
Convention in November. Supported the Lions House Foundation Great Crib
Trek. Assisted the Chinese with their Easter Activities. Assisted the
Tsunami appeal thru Red Cross. International Madison and Magic Show.
Assisted Eaglehawk Lions with the Dahlia and Arts Festival.
