Events
Here you will find details of recent events involving Figtree Lions - service, fundraising, dinner meetings, BBQs..
Figtree Lions Hear about Kind Hearts in the Illawarra
(Dinner Meeting - 3 March '26)
At its first March Dinner Meeting, Figtree Lions welcomed Stephanie McLeod, co-founder of Kind Hearts Illawarra, as their guest speaker.
Stephanie shared how she and her son established the outreach organisation to provide meals, hampers, and essential support to people in need at MacCabe Park, Wollongong, twice a week.
With the help of volunteers, the group serves up to one hundred people per night, offering not just food but also companionship and information about available services. Stephanie emphasised the importance of consistency and community in supporting vulnerable individuals, and told of the hardships and successes experienced through her work.
Read the full story HERE.
Figtree Lions Service Delivers Community Impact
(Service Activity Update - March '26)
Figtree Lions have donated nearly 2,500 hours in service of local communities since last July.
This is a combination of meetings, planning sessions, attending events, fundraising and delivering service activities.
This achievement has raised over $46,000, most of which has been donated to a variety of local charities, non-for-profit organizations or endeavours aligned to Lions core causes.
Bunnings BBQs have amassed the biggest single workload total in the July-February period and have also been the biggest regular fundraiser; thank you Bunnings for your continued support. Other key fundraisers include the Swim Challenge and Wine & Canape evening – both of which required many hours of planning and delivery.
Want to know details of the community impact? Read the full story HERE.
Lions 'Clean Up Australia' - well, some of it!
(Service Activity - 17 February '26)
Figtree Lions continued their longstanding annual commitment to ‘Clean Up Australia’ with another successful event. This year, fourteen Lions braved the heat and humidity to clean an area around Unanderra Pool, Sid Parrish Park, Lindsay Maynes Park and the area surrounding the Illawarra Criterium Track at Unanderra. Whilst the area around MacDonalds’ contributed greatly to the collection, there was also bags of rubbish, spare tyres, wrecked furniture, old picture frames, and cigarette butts by the thousand. Overall, though, a sweaty and successful day! Read the FULL STORY HERE.
Lions Get a History Lesson on the Old Wollongong Courthouse.
(Dinner Meeting - 17 February '26)
Our guest speaker this week, Harry Anneveld, has been a great supporter of Figtree Lions Club in his role as Manager of the Old Wollongong Courthouse facilities. Figtree Lions have held many events at or within the Old Courthouse and the club has benefited from some great social occasions, and has also raised considerable funds for local charities.
But how many know the history of this great old building?
This evening Harry revealed that history and the various uses that he building has had since its opening in 1858. It has been a courthouse, a customs house, a drill hall, a training facility for Naval Cadets and a community centre. It now stands as the oldest civic building in Wollongong.
Read the full story HERE.
Lions Wine and Canape Night a Great Success.
(Social / Fundraising - 7 February '26)
Once upon a Saturday, the Figtree Lions threw a shindig at Shamrock’s Rugby Club…and what a night it was!!
With canapés and buckets of Tyrrell’s wine, over a hundred lively guests nearly doubled last year’s Old Courthouse crowd. The Lions Ladies got a break this year — outside help did the catering, providing a procession of delicious canapés.
Wine flowed, spirits soared, bottles vanished (936 were bought on the night), and the event generated $6,732 for a great cause. The organising committee, coordinated by Greg, are to be congratulated on two wins: a fundraising triumph and a cracking night out. Feedback (and hangover cures) welcomed! Read more HERE – and see more photos from the night.
Lions Learn About 'Living Well, Ageing Well'.
(Dinner Meeting - 3 February '26)
Figtree Lions welcomed aged care advocate Jo Brown as guest speaker at our first February meeting. She updated club members on the recent changes to aged care funding and highlighted that this is a complex and confusing environment to navigate.
Each person has specific circumstances and different requirements for care as they age. Jo’s advice is to plan early and get financial advice from someone who specialises in aged care. Changes to funding mean that an increased financial burden is placed on the user – especially self-funded retirees.
There are reportedly 3,700 elderly people in hospitals who could have home-based care if their home was suitably modified, a situation that Jo believes could be alleviated by planning ahead; “Conversations when you arrive at the hospital car park are too late,” she added. Her comments and case studies made sobering listening but emphasise the need for good advice and planning.
Read the full story HERE.
Lions Continue Green Canopy Commitment
(Service Activity - 2 February '26)
Figtree Lions have continued their association with the Wollongong City Council (WCC) Natural Areas Team by completing some maintenance on the Tiny Forest area planted in October 2025.
Recent rains, humidity and sunshine have combined to accelerate growth of the plantings – and the weeds. So, ten Club Members joined with Tanita and Alex from the WCC Natural Areas Team to carry out some maintenance of the 100m2 Tiny Forest area and the section along the bank of American Creek that was planted at the same time.
It was great to revisit the site and see how much growth has taken place in less than six months; and how many of the plants had survived recent heatwave conditions – and the deer!
Read the full story HERE.
Lions Get Eye-Opening Presentation about Guide Dogs
(Dinner Meeting - 20 January '26)
Figtree Lions were delighted to welcome Jo Failes as our latest guest speaker – especially as she is daughter to Lion Geoff and Penny Failes. Jo is an Orientation and Mobility specialist with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and – as she put it – “We’re about more than Guide Dogs.” Her presentation ranged from the types of eye disease that can affect sight, through the importance of markers in the environment that can assist people with low vision, and the use of various aids from canes to more technolgically advanced artificially intelligent (AI) glasses. Finally, Jo stressed the importance of regular eye tests ,which should be carried out at least evey twelve months. So, if you’re overdue for a discussion with your optometrist – book in now.
Read more HERE.
Lions Support Domestic Violence Refuge
(Dinner Meeting - 2 December '25)
Guest speakers Sonya Button and Rachie from the Salvation Army presented the vision for redevelopment of Carinya Domestic Violence refuge, and a background as to why it is necessary. Domestic & family violence is one of the main drivers of homelessness in Australia. Carinya Women and Children Service has provided crisis accommodation for women and children on the same site for twenty-five years; but accommodation that was fit for purpose then is no longer considered best practice. The vision for a redeveloped ‘cluster and core’ site combines the benefits of independent living with access to essential support services. However, rising building costs mean that – at an estimated cost of $95,000 - the children's playground and landscaping is no longer a viable inclusion. This is where Lions might be able to help...
Read more HERE.
Figtree Annual Golf Adventure
(Fun & Friendship - 16-19 November '25)
The thirty-fifth Annual Figtree Lions Golf trip took place between 16 and 19th November on the scenic South Coast, with the group of sixteen players staying at Mariners on the Waterfront Hotel at Batemans Bay. The excellent weather allowed uninterrupted play at three different courses, as well as some long evenings with dinner and “just one one or two” drinks. This lack of alcohol apparently led to some rowdiness, but a great time was still had by all! Unfortunately a wounded Dave Berry was unable to play the final round, even so, he did take out the John White Trophy for most balls lost and a wild story about why he threw his club! The prizes were shared around but the main winners were Allan Riches, Fritz Debusch, Graham Pemberton, and David Shepherd. A special mention to Fritz Debusch who had
45 Stableford points, and won the Single Event for the second successive year (he loves Worrigee golf club!). Read the full report – and Dave Berry’s wild story – HERE
Figtree Lions get that Sinking Feeling
(Dinner Meeting - 18 November '25)
The band played on as the Titanic sank, and went down with the ship; but did you know their families were sent a bill for the uniforms they were wearing? Or that the baker was saved by the copious amonts of whiskey he had consumed after trying to save passengers? When RMS Titanic hit an iceberg at 11:40pm on 14th April 1912, efforts to save the ship, passengers and crew degenerated into ‘3 Hours of Chaos’ described by guest speaker Barbara Street. No life boat drills, no crew training, insufficient lifeboats, a rigid class system and icy water resulted in the death of 1,502 passengers and crew. Barbara focused her talk on the crew, rather than the passengers, and gave some fascinating insights about life on board and their heroic actions during the sinking. Whilst a terrible disaster, it did result in compulsory lifeboat drills and travel insurance!
Read more HERE.
Figtree Lions Learn their Fête
(Service: Youth - 1 November '25)
Figtree Lions were invited to run the barbecue at the Nareena Hills Public School Fete, as part of our support to Youth.
It was a great service day coordinated by Andy Blakey with Phil Kilah providing logistics support for the BBQ and site establishment for the seven Lions who volunteered for the event.
The BBQ was a great success, with sales of over 150 sausage sandwiches, forty-odd steak sandiches and more than 220 cold drinks – which were very popular on a hot afternoon.
Read the full story HERE.
Figtree Lions Plant a Fig Tree in Figtree
(Service: Green Canopy - 22 October '25)
This week ten Figtree Lions took to the wide open spaces in the wilds of O’Briens Road Reserve and the banks of American Creek to plant over 600 native trees, grasses, sedges and shrubs.
Organised in conjunction with Wollongong City Council’s ‘Tiny Forest’ initiative, this Lions Green Canopy activity was designed to create a small native plant area of approximately 100m2 and to do additional planting along the creek to stabilise the banks in a flood-prone area.
Choosing the hottest day in an already hot October, the tireless group of Lions were thankful that the planting holes were pre-drilled by Council contractors. Despite the heat, the mammoth task was completed in just on two hours. The Tiny Forest area was filled with closely planted native plants indiginous to the area, specially selected to replicate the layers of a forest. The site is maintained in early years to help the forest grow quickly and Figtree Lions have been invited back for future weedings – just on a day when its less than 35oC! Read the full story HERE.
Figtree Lions Feed World Triathlon Athletes
(Fundraising - 17 to 19 October '25)
Figtree Lions once again appeared at the Old Wollongong Courthouse charged with feeding the many competitors and spectators at the World Triathlon Championship Series Final.
The event took place from the 15th to 19th October 2025, and featured fifteen races over four days, including elite, under 23, junior, para triathlon and age groups events. It also included a community event, giving the expected 6,700 participants from over forty countries the chance to experience the excitement of a world-class event.
Illawarra Lions Clubs Lions from Dapto, Corrimal, Shellharbour, Oak Flats and Wollongong all dedicated time to help during the three days of barbequing, with Figtree Lions present each day and managing organisation and logistics. Their combined their efforts to deliver a barbeque for the last three days of the event, raising $4,000 for local charities & causes.
High praise and credit must go to Lion Phil Kilah who managed to re-stock food each day but had to do so when roads were re-opened in the late evening and all competition had finished – a “simply amazing” commitment according to colleagues. Similarly, Greg Dombkins managed the personnel roster and coordination with Harry – manager of the Old Wollongong Courthouse – whose help and support during the three days was invaluable.
Read the full story HERE.
Want to help YOUR local community? Join Lions - contact us here and we'll put you in touch with a local club.
Lions Hear About Living with Deafness
(Dinner Meeting - 7 October '25)
Figtree Lions were delighted to welcome Suzi Young and her Lions Assistance Dog, Casper as our Dinner Meeting speaker. Suzi took us through her journey of becoming profoundly deaf in childhood, to receiving bilateral Cochlear Implants by 2019 and the new world that they opened for her in terms or education and social life. The addition of her Lions Assistance dog in 2022 has made her life safer and assisted greatly in managing her hearing loss is certain situations. Suzi shared some sobering statistics about hearing loss in Australia, where over 3.6 million people suffer some level of impairment – a figure expected to rise to 7.8 million by 2060. She also shared some of the reasons behind hearing loss including age, illness and noise exposure. The link between deafness and dementia was explored; we need to maintain our hearing to remain socially connected.
So, if in doubt about hearing loss – get tested.
Read the full story HERE.
Want to hear from more inspiring speakers, on interesting topics? Join Lions - contact us here and we'll put you in touch with a local club.
Lions on Safari to Western Sydney
(Social Event - 24 September '25)
Thanks to the organisation and hospitality of Greg and Sue Pitt, thirty-five Lions, partners and friends enjoyed a grand day out to discover the Museum of Fire and visit Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport. Fortified by morning tea, the group headed into the museum, which contains exhibits of firefighting equipment and the history of Fire & Rescue NSW.
After lunch and a few liquid beverages, the group headed to the Experience Centre at WSI, where they saw progress on Phase One of this mammoth project and received a presentation on how the precinct will develop over the next 25 years to eventually service 82 million passengers each year.
Read the full story HERE.
Figtree Lions Swim Challenge for Need A Feed
(Fundraising Activity - 21 September '25)
What a GREAT EVENT! Organisers Bill Wright and Dave Berry not only managed to get participation of 110 swimmers across seven teams, but also arranged perfect weather for the event!
The Lions Swim Challenge for Need A Feed has raised over $12,000 towards the purchase of a food van for the Bulli-based charity. The outcome already exceeds the original goal of $10,000 and could still climb higher at the final result.
In addition to the 12-hour team swim relay, there were many other activities to keep resting swimmer – and spectators – amused: Trivia Games, Diving Competitions, Best Costume, Best Belly-flop were all included and there was keen competition in each event! Figtree Lions were delighted to organise the event and co-host with the Need A Feed team.
Read the full story HERE.
Want to help out your local community? Join Lions - contact us here and we'll put you in touch with a club near you.
Lions Called to Action by District Governor
(Dinner Meeting - 16 September '25)
Figtree Lions welcomed 2025-26 District Governor
David McKenna as our guest speaker.
A Lion since 2009, David joined District Cabinet in 2018 and served in several roles before taking on the DG position this year. He has adopted a theme for the District to:
“Be Audacious, Be Impactful, Be of Service”.
His call is for Lions to think laterally and trial new ways of communicating, collaborating and serving. Our actions should make a real difference to the 750,000 residents in our District.
David has a particular focus on youth, mental health and the environment; believing that diversity and inclusion only strengthen our organisation. Consistent with his theme of ‘Audacity’, David has chosen NOT to develop a bannerette, instead producing pins for distribution to all Lions in the District. Read the full story on what District Lions are doing HERE.
Lions make cents of Money in Sport
(Dinner Meeting - 2 September '25)
When did sports players start getting SO rich?
In 1969, George Best became the first soccer player to command £1,000 per week. He famously said of that, "I spent a lot of the money on booze, women and fast cars; the rest I just squandered." Fast-forward to 2024 and the highest paid soccer player - Christiano Ronaldo - earned US$260 million. That's equivalent to £3.7 million per week!
Lion Greg Dombkins gave an eye-opening presentation about the history of money in sport and the exponential growth of prizemoney over the past 30 years. Sports and events that were once amateur have become increasingly professionalised, often through a phase of state-backed 'shamateurism'. Greg showed a fascinating graphic of annual earnings for sports players over several decades, dominated by soccer and tennis players, boxers, golfers - and males. He went on to examine the male/female inequality in sports and how this is slowly changing, with tennis being one of the leading sports in that regard.
Finally, Greg considered the future of sports and the rise of E-Sport. Yes, electronic sport competitions is where the money is trending. Easy access to a worldwide audience of (paying) subscribers or players is an advertisers dream - so it's little wonder that net-based sports are on the rise. Now, where did I leave that 1980's Space Invaders game...?
Want to hear from more fascinating speakers, on interesting topics? Join Lions - contact us here and we'll put you in touch with a local club.
Lions get an update on Humidicribs & Ventilators
(Dinner Meeting - 19 August '25)
Many babies born at Wollongong Hospital will need some additional support from the Neonatal Unit. Figtree Lions were delighted to hear how the new humidicribs and phototherapy blankets were making a huge difference to care of new-borns in the region. Katie Bedwell (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District), Danielle Coggan and Tenille Iskra gave Figtree Lions an update on the equipment purchased last year with donations provided by combined Illawarra Lions and Lions Foundations.
Not only are the new units making a enormous difference to neonatal care, they are a huge hit with parents and staff. And an innovative use has been made of the old incubators – they have been repurposed by WIRES to provide an ideal environment for new-born joeys in need of extra support.
Also, the five Non-Invasive Ventilators funded by Illawarra Lions and Lions Foundations arrived at the Wollongong Hospital Respiratory Ward in April 2025, and already in use. The arrival of the Central Monitoring System (CMS) is expected in coming weeks. Once all is fully commissioned, Lions will be invited to the official opening and a tour of the unit. Read the full story HERE.