Since the first club was formed in Australia 75 years ago Lions has grown dramatically in size and impact with over 1200 clubs and 25,000 members now giving back through an array of community-based programs and initiatives.
Some Lions are on a mission to cure childhood cancer and diabetes, others are committed to assisting those impacted by drought and floods and many are simply working together to help people in need in their local community.
One thing all Lions have in common is together they are making an incredible difference.
Time Line
1917: Melvin Jones, a Chicago business leader, founded the Association of Lions Clubs in Chicago, Illinois.
1920: The association went international with the establishment of the first club in Canada, marking the beginning of Lions Clubs International.
1947: The first Australian Lions Club was formed in Lismore, NSW.
1962: Lions Clubs were formed in South Australia, Western Australia, and Papua New Guinea.
1970: The Lions Save Sight Foundation (WA) Inc. was founded in Western Australia, leading to the establishment of the Lions Eye Institute in 1983.
1990: The SightFirst program was launched to combat blindness, with Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) providing preventative programs worldwide.
Present: Lions Clubs continue to serve communities globally, with members in over 200 countries and geographic areas.
Key Focus Areas: Lions Clubs focus on various service areas including vision, hunger, diabetes, cancer, and environmental concerns.
LCIF: Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) plays a significant role in supporting these service areas through grants and funding.
Leos: A parallel organization, Leos, comprises clubs for children and young adults, providing opportunities for personal development through volunteering
Community Service is both powerful and personal, and the aim of Lions Australia is to provide our clubs with the tools and support necessary to improve the lives of all Australians.
We believe in making a difference. We do this by giving people the opportunity to contribute to the causes that matter to them as individuals and their community, as well as working together to take on larger challenges that face us all.