Jeff Huddlestone
SUCCESSFUL fundraising is a key role of service clubs and organisations in being able to serve their communities.
Wil Cousins is the chairperson of the fundraising committee for the Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness.
It is an outcome that even the former cartographer would not necessarily have mapped out.
Ms Cousins has moved 32 times, many of those with her husband, who had a military career.
A global traveller, she has lived in Singapore, Malaysia, England and Germany.
The last move for the retired international banker and superannuation administrator was to Mount Gambier with her daughter in 2017.
It took an unexpected turn when Ms Cousins broke an ankle and twisted the other while chasing her dog in the backyard.
She was in the hospital for a week and received a hospital pack containing personal items to use during her stay.
“It was donated and prepared by the then Mount Gambier lioness club,” Ms Cousins said.
“l thought this is fabulous. I would not mind ringing them to see if I could join and help. That is how it started.”
The call was made and after three visits and an interview with the membership committee, Ms Cousins’ new adventure began.
Apart from previous volunteering roles, this was her first service club, which she serves with energy and effectiveness, using her well-honed life skills.
“We have been very busy, especially during Covid,” she said
“Tickets in last year’s Christmas raffle were sold out within two weeks.”
The club raises funds and donates its time to about 20 local causes.
Among some of their activities, Lionesses serve sausages at Bunnings and wrap Christmas gifts at Centro.
They receive generous support from many local businesses, other organisations and members of the community.
Part of the proceeds from the Christmas wrap effort purchased a defibrillator for the use of groups at Frew Park.
The club supports the Mount Gambier cancer group and the library, among many others.
Major fundraisers have included an art auction netting $5200 and a movie night, which raised $1850, coupled with an earlier donation of $2000.
“That was a big success. The general public dressed up and we had refreshments and drinks,” Ms Cousins said.
Then of course there was the sale of Lions Christmas cakes, which raised $1400.
Other organisations helped by the club are the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Sunset Kitchen, Foodbank and Blaze Aid.
Club Secretary, Jan Shelton, said that prior to chartering as the Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness in March last year, the Lioness Club of Mount Gambier had been operating for more than 40 years, under the sponsorship and support of the Lions Club of Mount Gambier.
“Lions Club International decided that they wanted us to become Lions. The three options were to close down, become an auxiliary or another club.
“We were really upset that we had to change because we did not want to, but we managed to keep the word Lioness on the end of our name,” Ms Shelton said.
She was generously helped with the transition by Ross Parkinson of the Lions Club of Mount Gambier.
Ms Cousins says fun is the best thing about fundraising.
“It is just the interaction with different people and organisations. We always have fun. It is a lot of hard work but a lot of fun. We have a lot of laughs,” she said.
At the June 13 meeting, cheques totalling $13,000 were presented to recipients.
Donations for the year were about $18,000.
The club provided support for the Lucindale fires, helped at the field days, donated money for tools after the Kangaroo Island fires, and supported the flood appeal.
Sometimes the Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness combines with the two other clubs as a zone to donate to certain causes.
Ms Cousins enjoys her fundraising role as it keeps her active.
“I have always been very active. I do not know what will happen when I have to stop,” she said.
