With Lions celebrating 75 years of service to the community, BCN spoke with Rod Wright of the Tas­manian Lions about their role and how you can get involved.

What role has Lions played in the community for the last 75 years? The first Lions Club Chart­ed was Lismore in 1947, hence the 75 years. The first Lions Club charted in Tasmania was Launces­ton Windmill Hill in 1961, followed by many other Lions Clubs across the state. There are now 48 Li­ons Clubs and 2 Leos Clubs with around 1000 active Lions working in their local communities, giving their free time to help the many requests that are required. They range from helping the homeless, collecting used spectacles which are sent to third world countries, feeding and clothing the homeless, manning Loui’s Van, in the Hobart area supplying meals to those in need. Through our foundations both the Australian Lions Foun­dation and the Tasmanian Lions Foundation, Lions Clubs can apply for Community Grants to assist and build many projects in their local community.

Locally in Brighton, what differ­ence has Lions made? Brighton Lions Club was charted in 2011 and are very active in the local area. Their President is Lion Jarrod Howard and Candice Howard is Secretary, a very committed team.

Brighton L.C. meet on the third Monday of the month. Member­ship Chair is Joan Frzackerley and can be reached on 0437 819 422 if members of the community are interested in joining.

What can locals look forward to from Lions in the future? Lions in the future will still do all the projects we are known for like mar­kets, selling sausages at Bunnings, Christmas Cakes and Puddings and Lions mints but our major focus is sight related projects, diabe­tes, hearing dogs, youth projects, cancer research, environment and disaster relief, and of course, Crime Stoppers.

How can readers get involved in their local group? Readers can be­come involved by contacting their Local Lions Club. It’s a volunteer organisation made for people you know – neighbours and friends. You can be part of the Worlds largest service organisation! Our Motto is “We Serve”.