The Seymour Goulburn Lions Club has seen more than double the amount of new members join this year when compared to 2024.
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You may have seen an increased number of blue and gold shirts floating around town this year.
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If you have, there’s an explanation: the local Lions Club has over double the amount of new members on board compared to those recruited last year.
The Seymour Goulburn Lions Club has, so far, welcomed in five new members, compared to the two who were inducted last year, and there’s still time left in 2025 for more to join.
The club, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the district, is highly visible in town; the iconic colours can be spotted at almost every community event, some of which are actually facilitated by the Lions themselves.
Having only just stepped into her role as president in June, Regina Young said it had been wonderful to welcome in the new faces.
“It’s been excellent,” she said.
“It’s very encouraging because we’re a small town, it’s not a big area, and compared to some of the other clubs in bigger areas in our district, we’re right up there, with membership.
“The more members we have, the more activities we can undertake, and the more money we can raise, and then it all goes back into the community.”
Janine Cole, who has historically been heavily involved with the Seymour Lions Football and Netball Club, is one of the five aforementioned new members, but she is far from a new face to the club.
“Both of my parents had been members of Lions in the early days — my mum was a charter member back in the early days when it was run by men, she was one of the founding members of the Seymour Goulburn Lions Club back in 1992,” Ms Cole said.
“I thought, if I’m going to get back into volunteering, I’m going to support a club that supported me when my mum passed away, but also give back to them and give back to the community.
“It’s all about giving back to the community, but I chose to be part of Lions for personal reasons.”
(Standing) Lions Liz Johnson, Rohan Hoffman, president Regina Young, Janine Cole, (seated) Tricia Stuart and Heather Dunn at one of the many community events the club volunteers at.
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Wayne Herring
Since being inducted in April, Ms Cole has already stepped into a role as minute secretary, and said she had been very much supported by other members in transitioning into this position.
Nigel Divito, whose “other half” serves as the club’s secretary, also joined Lions earlier this year.
Coming from a background as an army cook, Mr Divito has been able to integrate his past work skills into his volunteering, helping out at the many sausage sizzles the Lions host, as well as at the club’s soup nights on Wednesdays at the Salvation Army.
Mr Divito said he felt satisfied knowing who and what his volunteering was benefiting.
“It’s good because you know the Lions do good, and I know that whatever I’m going to do, it’s going to help someone else,” he said.
“I trust them, I know I’m not going to be ripped off with my time. You help them, and then they help everyone.”
With the club offering its volunteers flexible hours, a range of opportunities depending on their skill set and a great social atmosphere, it’s no surprise that membership has increased.
Ms Young said stepping into her role had been easy — a result of how well the club runs.
“I’m fortunate enough that I’ve been in the club for long enough now that I’ve got a pretty good grasp of what the role entails,” she said.
“Being familiar with the workings of the club has been an advantage, and I just relish the role I have.
“I have so much fun with it because we all get along so well, we’re such a well-functioning club that it’s really easy to be president.”
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