Incoming Lions Club president Gordon Percival, with retiring president Doug Montagu

THE Palmwoods Woombye Lions Club celebrates 18 years of service to the Palmwoods district this month, coinciding with the Lions International’s 50th birthday in Australia.

The first Lions Club in Australia was established at Lismore in New South Wales on July 1, 1947.

Eighteen years ago, the Lions Club of Palmwoods became the 1206th chartered Lions Club in Australia.

The late councillor Harold Steinhardt was Charter President and the club later became known as the Lions Club of Palmwoods Woombye.

Today there are more than 1400 active Lions Clubs in Australia, with 29,000 members.

Lions began in the USA in 1917 and since then has spread to 160 countries and geographical areas and has almost 1.5 million members world wide.

Lions International is the only service organisation in the world to have a chair on the United Nations.

The Palmwoods Woombye Lions Club has aided many local community activities during its 18 years involvement in the area.

Palmwoods Riding for the Disabled receives assistance annually, and the Chevallum, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye primary schools have received both monetary and muscle assistance over the years.

Last December saw the inaugural Memorial Bursary presented to a year seven student from each school.

The Palmwoods Retirement Village has received ongoing help, as has the Blue Nursing and Ambulance service.

Each year members co-ordinate the district Cancer Appeal Doorknock, cook and serve thousands of Australia Day breakfasts at Kolora Park, and spread Australia Day cheer at the Nambour Hospital.

The Lions motto "We Serve" is synonymous of the Palmwoods Woombye Club, which has participated in so many community projects for the benefit of the wider community.

The Lions are also well known for their work with the blind.

At the International Lions Convention held in Brisbane during 1991, a project named "Sight First" was adopted. It undertook to restore the sight of some 30 million blind people world wide, and set out to raise more than $30 million.

The Lions International raised around $40 million and the Palmwoods Woombye club raised over $3000.

Everyone in the district who buys the traditional Lions Christmas cake supports the Lion’s quest into researching preventable and reversible blindness.

The Palmwoods Woombye club has a membership of only 20 people, who meet at the "Old School" Chevallum.

Membership is open to men and women and the local Lions club would welcome anyone who would like to become part of the world’s largest service organisation.