Wee Waa Lions Club had another roaring year of representation, volunteering at a variety of events across the district.

In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to name a local function a Lions member didn’t contribute to in some way.

In the year 2024/25 Wee Waa Lions Club members put in a whopping 973 hours of service and fundraised an impressive $7500.

Projects included: The polocrosse canteen; Lions mints, cakes and puddings; Wee Waa Show canteen; Wee Waa High School formal; debutante ball; Senior Citizens awards luncheon, bus trip and lunch; Christmas chocolate wheel; show horse sports day; community Christmas tree construction; Anzac Day; Moving Life Education Van; barbecue and salads at the Cotton Seed Distributors awards night; Youth of the Year; Wee Waa Public School barbecue; Cotton Capital Country Music Muster and Sarah Wheeler’s Outback Long Ride return to Rowena barbecue.

Donations were made to the Christmas lights competition, Lions Drug Awareness, Lions Eye Health Programme, Lions Prostate Cancer Research, Lions Cord Blood Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Childhood Cancer Mater Foundation, Australian Lions Wellbeing, Salvation Army, Karinga Village (container), Wee Waa Pony Club, Showground Trust, Showground Committee, CWA Barwon Group, Wee Waa High School, Wee Waa Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School, Namoi Valley Christian School, Wee Waa Show Society and Wee Waa Arts and Cultural Centre.

The significant contributions were noted at the Lions changeover dinner, held at the bowling club on Tuesday, June 24.

Outgoing president Rob Downey kept the crowd entertained with his humorous jokes, but on a more serious note, he also expressed his sincere gratitude to members for giving their time and energy to the community.

“Many thanks to all the Lions who helped out with all the functions during 2024/25,” said Mr Downey.

“A special thanks to Connie (Smith) for all her work with the organisation of the Deb Ball practices and catering.

“Bruce (Gray) with his work with the Music Muster over the three days and the lead up to the event.

“Thank you to the Lions ladies for making slices for out projects throughout the year.

“Bruce has done a great job of keeping us informed with upcoming dinner meetings and project dates and sending out minutes of our meetings.”

Mr Downey also thanked local Anthony Gray for assisting the club during debutante ball preparations. And Ann Megalokonomos who joined the club in 2025, who he said had been an active and valued new Lion. The club warmly welcomes new members looking to give back to their community and have some fun along the way.

“To our incoming president David Johnston and incoming secretary Tash Johnston, I wish you all the best for the upcoming year.”

Mr Downey has served as Lions Club president for the last two years but was praised on the night as a ‘stalwart’ of the club, first joining Lions in 1984 and serving as secretary/treasurer for more than 30 years.

The local legend will continue on in a top role as treasurer of the Wee Waa Lions Club.

Incoming president David Johnston thanked Mr Downey for his service and his fellow Lions for their encouragement as he stepped up to the new leadership role.

Installing officer Lions Bob Percival attended the Wee Waa meeting along with some other Narrabri Lions members.

Mr Percival is a familiar face at Wee Waa changeover dinners as the Zone chair for Zone 12 in the Lions District 201N1 (Wee Waa, Collarenebri, Moree, Narrabri, Premer and District). In 2023, he was awarded the prestigious International Lions President’s award, a significant accolade in the global Lions organisation.

Wee Waa Lions Club positions for 2025/2026 include:
President – David Johnston; secretary – Tash Johnston; treasurer – Rob Downey (charter member, past president); assistant secretary/treasurer – Carmen Megalokonomos; first vice president – Ron Lowder; second vice president – Greg Robinson; third vice president – Paul Couley; second year directors – Jamie Copelin and Denise Robinson; first year directors – Matt Copelin, Tegan Copelin and Noel Holland (past president); Lion tamer – Ron Lowder (past president, charter member); tail twister – David Johnston’ bulletin editor – Bruce Gray; membership chair – David Johnson and Peter Lowder (past president, charter member); safety officer – Noel Holland; assistant safety officer – Ken Trindall (past president); Christmas tree coordinator – David Johnston; members – Judy Couley, Kevin Roden (past president, charter member) and Ann Megalokonomos. Mr Percival presented long service pins to Wee Waa Lions Ken Trindall (15 years) and Bruce Gray (30 years).

Lions members and their guests had a fabulous evening, reflecting on the highlights of the year and the fulfilling tasks and events they’d worked on together.

“I feel honoured to have the support of members of the Wee Waa Lions Club and to be accepted as their club president for the year ahead,” said Mr Johnston.

“I hope to live up to their expectations,” he humbly added.

“My plans for the club are to raise awareness in the community about the Wee Waa Lions Club, about who we are and what we do.

“With a view to encourage some new members to join up and make a difference in the Wee Waa and surrounding communities.”

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