By JESSE GRAHAM
SCHOOLS, charities and community groups in the Yarra Valley are thousands of dollars better off, after the Lions Club of Healesville’s annual changeover and disbursements dinner last week.
On Wednesday, 27 July, about 100 people gathered at the Yarra Glen Racecourse for the annual evening, which sees awards and funds handed out to groups in Healesville, Yarra Glen and their surrounds.
Outgoing Lions president, Lesley Grigg, spoke on the evening before handing over the reins to new president Lindsay Frost, and thanked the volunteers at the Lions Den op shop for their fund-raising efforts for the club.
“They manage to turn other people’s unwanted goods to gold,” she said.
“Without this tireless work we would not be able to offer a night like this, where we disburse funds to our worthy community organisations – we thank these volunteers unreservedly for their unstinting work on behalf of the Lions club and their community.”
Ms Grigg noted the success of the Deck the Heales competition, where shopfronts in the town were decorated with elaborate, illuminated Christmas displays.
The competition was run with the Rotary Club of Healesville, the Healesville Chamber of Commerce and the Yarra Ranges Council.
“We were enchanted with the quality of the displays – a great gift to the town for the festive season,” Ms Grigg said, adding that work had begun on this year’s event.
Healesville, Badger Creek, Dixons Creek, Toolangi, Yarra Glen, Yering and Woori Yallock Primary Schools all received $1000 from the club on the night, while Healesville High School received $2000.
Badger Creek, Haig Avenue, Queens Park and Yarra Glen pre-schools received $1000 each, as did Badger Creek, Dixons Creek and Toolangi’s CFAs and Healesville’s SES.
Yarra Glen CFA received $2000, Healesville’s Girl Guides received $500 and Yarra Glen’s Girl Guides received $800; Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated (HICCI) received $2000, while Melba Support Services and Healesville’s Scouts received $1000 apiece.
Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association received $400, while Badger Creek and District Men’s Shed and the Yarra Glen Festival of Light each received $1000.
Brian Gibbs, Ray Frogley and Jolanda Rich were announced as recipients of the club’s Community Service Awards on the night, paying tribute to their contributions to the Healesville and Badger Creek areas.
In the 2015-’16 financial year the Lions Club of Healesville donated $44,204 to different causes, charities and community groups.
