Year of giving back to community for Lions and ladies’ auxiliary

NARRABRI Lions Club and the Narrabri Lions Auxiliary have celebrated a year of giving back to the community.

The two clubs again held a joint changeover dinner at the Narrabri RSL.

Presidents Rod Onus and Melissa Hancock both reflected on the achievements throughout the year in their reports.

Both Mr Onus and Mrs Hancock will continue to lead each club.

Former Lion Rob Gilbert, who died in June, was honoured as the Lion of the Year. He was also announced as the recipient of the club’s ‘stirrer’ award.

Mr Onus said Mr Gilbert will be sadly missed by his many mates in the Lions family and the community.

The Lions accolade has been presented to Mr Gilbert’s daughter, Courtney, and will be on display in her Narrabri hair salon.

In his report, Mr Onus said it had been a busy year for Lions, especially with the signature barbecue catering, many function catering jobs as well as the usual markets barbecue.

The charity golf day in conjunction with auxiliary members was a huge success.

Mr Onus said Christmas cake sales were at record level as well.

Lions also made donations throughout the year in addition to projects.

Lions district governor Joe Pope congratulates president Rod Onus on a successful year leading the Lions Club of Narrabri. Mr Onus will again serve as president.

“One of our first donations was a semi-trailer of hay to the Taree flood victims for their livestock in July 2025,” Mr Onus said.

“With the success of our golf day in conjunction with our Lions Auxiliary Club, it was decided to continue the cemetery seating project on to the next two blocks.

“We have asked the shire to order four more chairs for this project.”

Lions again contributed generously to the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research and to the Australian Lions Prostrate Cancer Research and Treatment Foundation.

A donation was also made to the Hearing Dogs Project which has now been extended to Lions Assistance Dogs.

For the Lions Auxiliary, formerly the Lionesses, Kerrie Haire was the recipient of the Lions Lady of the Year while Jean Fairless was the recipient of the ‘stirrer’ award.

Mrs Hancock said it had been another rewarding and productive year for the auxiliary.

“We continued our commitment to supporting our local community and helping to build a stronger town for everyone,” she said.

“I sincerely thank all of our members for their dedication, generosity, and willingness to contribute throughout the year.

“One of our major annual initiatives was the preparation and delivery of over 200 ‘Bookworm’ library bags to kindergarten students across 14 schools within our shire.

Paul Owens, John Wilson, John McPherson, Vince Haire, Rod Onus, Fred Shepherdson, Tim Tapscott and, front, Bob Percival.

“This project continues to promote literacy and a love of reading among our youngest community members, and I thank everyone who assisted in making it another successful year.

“The auxiliary has also maintained its commitment to providing hospital toiletry bags for emergency patients at our local hospitals, the Crisis Centre, and Ronald McDonald House.

“In addition, our handmade ‘Cuddle Buddies’ continue to bring comfort to children experiencing difficult circumstances. These are supplied to Narrabri Hospital, including the emergency department, x-ray and pathology departments, as well as to the ambulance, and local mental and dental health services.”

The collection of used prescription glasses continued throughout the year. These glasses are distributed through the Lions Recycling Program to assist people in developing countries who otherwise have limited access to eye care.

“Fundraising and catering remained an important part of our activities. Members provided canteen services at several Narrabri Pistol Club competitions, catered for the Lions Golf Day, and prepared a wonderful selection of cakes and slices for our Saturday morning street stall,” Mrs Hancock said.

“Sadly, this year has also brought times of loss for many within our Lions family, including the recent passing of Lion Rob Gilbert.

“Rob was a long-serving member whose warmth, humour, and cheerful nature brightened every gathering.”