The Lions Club of Hadspen South Esk is playing a vital role in community life through quiet but determined service. Under the leadership of incoming president Gilbert Viney, the club has built a strong reputation for collaboration, generosity and hands-on commitment.
At the centre of the club’s recent efforts is a partnership with the Hadspen Cricket Club and the Meander Valley Council to improve local infrastructure. The project focuses on installing new seating around the memorial and cricket grounds, with funding shared between the club and its partners. The first funds were raised during the federal election day, branded of course by the club as “Democracy Sausage Day”. It’s the kind of grassroots initiative that defines the Lions’ approach.
Letter to the Editor
Events are a major focus for the club. Four times a year, it organises a car boot sale, complete with a barbecue, drinks and community stalls. Site fees and proceeds are donated to local charities. The Lions also staff gates at regional motorsport events, raising significant income which funds their many causes.
The Lions Club of Hadspen South Esk directs the money it raises to a broad range of causes that benefit both the local community and broader regional initiatives.
Funds have been used to install public seating around Hadspen, including along river tracks and at the cricket and memorial grounds. The club supports health and medical causes such as the Clifford Craig Foundation, the Flying Doctor Service of Australia and the Childhood Cancer Research Program. Donations have also gone to drought relief efforts, including those on King Island, and to local organisations like Shekinah House in Launceston, which supports people experiencing homelessness. Schools receive funding for student awards. From maintaining defibrillators to helping local residents attend scout jamborees, the Lions’ contributions are practical and varied.
Despite its broad reach and impact, the club faces the ongoing challenge of attracting younger members. Viney has distributed brochures, knocked on doors and held conversations with local residents to promote the club’s work. Yet many cite a lack of time or other commitments as obstacles. The club has explored starting a Leo Club for younger volunteers, but so far those efforts have not gained traction.
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The Lions of Hadspen South Esk do not seek recognition. Most pay their own costs, rarely claim expenses, and give their time freely. The club currently has just over 20 members, about half of whom are actively involved. Several have been members for decades, including two founding members who joined 38 years ago.
As Hadspen prepares for significant residential expansion, with more than 400 new homes planned following a proposed $19 million upgrade to the Carrick Sewage Plant, the work of the Lions Club is becoming increasingly important. Viney, who maintains strong connections with council figures, is aware of both the opportunities and the risks of growth. The town’s natural beauty and quiet charm are central to its identity, and the Lions hope to preserve that character even as development accelerates.
