The Lions Club of
Berowra
Over our long history, this club has been involved in a multitude of projects across the region,
both small and large, some one-off and some ongoing.
Below is a small selection of some of the projects in which the Lions Club of Berowra is currently involved.
Major Projects
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Lions Club of Berowra has established the Connecting our Community Project. This seeks to link those in need with those who are willing and able to assist. For details on how you can get involved, see the Connecting our Community Project page.
Warrina Street Oval Exercise Equipment Project
Providing exercise facilities out in the community for all to use has long been an ambition of the Berowra Lions Club. Following a successful Commonwealth Government grant submission, and combining with our other community service clubs - Apex and Rotary - this ambition is now a reality.
In what is a $30,000 project, stage one sees two exercise pods installed, offering a variety of equipment. They are located in the north-eastern and north-western corners of the oval. The installation was completed by in June 2020 and officially opened by Federal Member for Berowra, Julian Leeser, on Saturday June 20. Further pods may be installed as additional funds become available.
Current & Ongoing Projects
Promoting the youth of our area is a major initiative of the Lions Club of Berowra. We have so many talented young people and the Lions Youth of the Year Program provides the opportunity to showcase some of them.
The program is aimed at young people - generally from Year 11 - who seek to improve their skills before entering the workforce or other endeavours. The program aims to encourage, foster and develop leadership and the qualities required to take an active and constructive role in the community in conjunction with other citizenship qualities in our youth.
The Lions Youth of the Year program will be an annual event organised and held by our club.
Every year, the Lions Club of Berowra joins many other community members on ANZAC Day in remembering those who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.
Did you know that 1 in 5 children in Australia has an undetected vision problem?
Our club is looking to help detect and - better still - prevent this major problem. Most children will accept vision problems and adapt to their poor vision. They rarely complain as they believe everyone sees the world like they do. Poor clarity or an imbalance in the coordination of the eyes can impact a child's development. More than 411,000 children in Australia have a long-term eye disorder. Most of these are long- and short-sightedness.
All children should have a full eye examination before starting school, then regularly as they progress through primary and secondary school. This program allows that to take place.
At the Lions Club of Berowra, we believe that no child should be left behind in literacy. That's why we are proud to support the Story Dogs program.
The Story Dogs program pairs up children with reading difficulties with a trained dog and their handler. The accepting, loving nature of dogs gives this program its magic and helps children relax, open up, try harder and have fun while reading to a friendly, calm dog. Our club is proud to support this program and currently sponsors two handler-dog teams - Berowra Pubic School has 'Doug' and Deborah, and Mt Colah Public School has 'Pepper' and Paula.
For over thirty years, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. The Peace Essay Contest was created to provide an opportunity for visually impaired young people to express their feelings of peace. The Lions Club of Berowra has this year joined our global sister clubs and will be working with our local schools to introduce this amazing program.
Spectacle and Hearing Aid Recycling
Did you know that your old glasses and hearing aids can be reused and recycled?
The Bendigo Bank at Berowra Heights currently has a collection box where you can leave your old glasses and hearing aids to be reworked and repurposed. Please help us help others, by dropping your old glasses and hearing aids into the box at the Bendigo Bank, or the one at David Hendry Optometrists.
Located on the corner of The Gully Road and Berowra Waters Road, Berowra Park - also known as "Fire Station Park" to some - had for many years, been a project of the Lions Club of Berowra. A sign displaying the park name as well as recognising the support of our club and a member most instrumental in its establishment - Vince Collins - was in place. Following much needed improvement works by Hornsby Shire Council some years ago, the sign was removed and has never been replaced.
However, the good news is that - following many years of discussion - the sign was replaced and the appropriate recognition placed on show for all to see as of May 8, 2020.
Berowra Water Tank Mural Project
This is another possible combined project between Berowra's three primary service clubs - Lions, Rotary and Apex. We are looking at beautifying the Sydney Water Tower on Berowra Waters Road with an art mural. At this stage, the exact design of the mural has not been finalised, however we are thinking of holding a community competition to determine what that might be. Currently we are in discussions with Sydney Water seeking approval to allow us to proceed with this project.
Permanent Project
Maintained and managed by The Lions Club of Berowra on behalf of Hornsby Shire Council, this restored heritage hall provides a great venue for parties, functions, classes, theatre, etc.
The hall capacity is 200 and is equipped with 10 tables (seating about 8 comfortably) and 100 chairs. A newly renovated kitchen (with electric wall oven, bench-mounted stove with four hotplates, microwave oven, double sink and hot water service) is available. Cutlery and crockery is not provided.
The hall can be booked for any occasion by visiting the Berowra District Hall website and clicking on your requested date to make a booking. Or you can contact the Booking Officer by email at bookings@berowradistricthall.com.au
Read more about the Hall at www.berowradistricthall.com.au
Under normal circumstances, our club members meet on the third Thursday of each month at Café Laurella, which opens especially to accommodate us. We often have guest speakers and, by arrangement, members of the public are also welcome to attend.
At present of course, these meetings are not occurring - instead the club is meeting using video conferencing platform Zoom.
Once things return to normal, please free to contact us if you would like to attend one of our dinner meetings.
Other Projects
Here are some of the charities and organisations we have helped to date:
(Click on the links to visit their website. A new window will open to view.)