Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea has paid tribute to the outstanding work of the Frenchs Forest Lions Club as its members celebrate the club's 50th anniversary later this month, at a special dinner.
Mr O'Dea told NSW Parliament that the Frenchs Forest Lions Club is believed to have been the first service club in the area, when the region was changing from small farm allotments to a suburban part of Sydney.
He said, "Service to the community is at the core of the club's activities.
"Charity fundraising activities over the years have included chicken raffles, art exhibitions, golf carnivals, trots nights, coin collections and the longstanding Lions activities of chocolate wheels and Lion's mints and Christmas cakes.
"Annual charity golf carnivals, in conjunction with the Wakehurst Golf Club, have been a major project for the club during the past decade, resulting in donations of more than $200,000 to various children's health programs.
"Charities and organisations supported by the club include local schools, youth groups, facilities for the disabled, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and its mobile blood bank, cancer research, Save Our Sight programs and medical research.
"The club also assisted in funding the Paul Jackman Memorial Power Surf Boat, one of the first on the northern beaches," Mr O'Dea said.
Mr O'Dea also paid tribute to Club President, Tony Philps as well as past and present board members and the current active membership of more than 30 Lions, including John Diamond, who was one of the Charter Lions of 50 years ago.
"Volunteers and volunteer organisations are the backbone of our society. They do so much good to establish and maintain our social structure," Mr O'Dea told parliament.
"May the Frenchs Forest Lions Club continue to serve its community for another half century, and beyond," Mr O'Dea concluded.
