| THE HISTORY OF THE KINGSTON LIONS CLUB 1964 - 2003 |
| The founding meeting was held on the 11th December, 1963 and was attened by 3 members of the newly formed Mount Gambier Club. The Club was officially Chartered on the 4th March, 1964. With 20 members receiving Charter badges. Our district was 201F, which streatched from Melbourne to Perth, to Darwin. We where Club 312 and the second Club in the South East. The newest Club is # 1740. D.G. Frank Litchfield performed the induction ceremony. Two Charter Members are still in the club, one of whom was awarded a Melville Jones Fellowship. The Club has since been a member of a further three districts, namely 201J, 201S1 and 201C2. The first major project in 1965 was to establish an ambulance in the town. The Club sold ambulance subcriptions and raised enough money to donate a new ambulance free of charge. The Club donated a further $2,700 towards an Ambulance Centre, which was opened in October, 1967. In 1966, the Club held first of their Debutante Balls. These continued for over 30 years and approximately 240 girls made their debut. The first Junior Fishing Contest was held on the jetty in 1967 and has been held every year since. The same year, the Club established the Piooneer Park and planted trees along the road leading into the town. In 1970, the Club initiated moves to establish a Retirement Village in the town and donated $10,000 to establish one of the first units. Over donations to various local community organisations and national Lions projects would total many thousands of dollars. In early 1990s, the Club aquired a 1957 Austin Truck, which members re-vamped, and it was used in the Lions Birdsville Bashes to promote our club and raise thousands of dollars for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. FUNDRAISERS In January 2003, the Club held its 24th Annual Surf Fishing Contest, with sponsors and the Club providing excellent trophies. On average 1100 to 1350 anglers take part every year, fishing over 80 klms. of beach north of the town. Since its inception, the Contest has raised over $150,000 for the club. Other funraisers have been white elephant sales, wood sales, fence removals, vine prunning and until Cellulose in Millicent closed down, paper and cardboard collection and sales. The Club has also hired out its Lion Marquee and catered for organisations As told by Glen McLaren |
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