The club is at the minimum number of members needed to continue operating, meaning the loss of even one member could force it to dissolve.
Despite its dwindling membership, the club continues to support the Barooga community through a range of projects, events and fundraising activities.
President Helen Leitch joined the club in 2017 after a friend encouraged her to get involved.
She said one of the club’s most significant contributions was establishing Ginya Court in the 1980s ― an apartment complex for aged pensioners experiencing financial difficulties.
“That's what the Lions Club is all about ― providing all these things to community members,” Helen said.
The club continues to support the community through its annual debutante ball, scholarship program and junior public speaking competition, with last year’s public speaking competitor going on to become state champion.
The scholarship is awarded to a Year 6 student to help with books and other costs as they move into secondary school.
However, Helen said declining membership had limited the number of activities the club could organise.
“We want more members so that we can do more things and more functions for the community,” she said.
Helen said all money raised went back into the community, and one year the club was able to help a couple rebuild their home after a fire.
Treasurer Bruce Keir has been a member for nearly 15 years and said it had boosted his confidence as he had taken on various roles over the years.
“It's incredibly rewarding, you personally get a lot of satisfaction from it,” he said.
Sue Hams has been a member of the club for almost 30 years, joining in 1997.
She said the enjoyment of helping others had kept her involved.
“You get so much enjoyment from doing things and raising money to help people and other organisations,” she said.
Sue said it was a shame to see membership fall, after there had been about 20 members in the club when she joined.
Lions district zone chairperson John Weinert said the club was a good way of getting to know people, especially if you were new to the area.
“It’s all about giving to the community, providing that support and assistance, whether it’s cooking sausages or doing something similar,” he said.
“It’s makes a very strong community, and little places like Barooga, it just makes it even stronger.”
Helen said the club was still active and doing what it could to support the community.
“The club still does some really good activities, considering there’s only four active members, and so you can only do so much when you’ve got that,” she said.
With the club now at its minimum membership, its members are hoping new volunteers will step forward to help ensure the Barooga Lions can continue its more than 50-year contribution to the community.
If you are interested in joining, call Helen on 0429 357 277 or email the club at: baroogalions@gmail.com
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