Community
29 October, 2025
Save the Lions Club
THE Simpson and District Lions Club fear the club could go under after its ageing membership was forced to scale back long-standing support for the local footy club
The call comes after the club was forced to end their presence at the gates of the football for the Simpson Tigers due to concerns about ageing members standing in inclement weather conditions.
Simpson and District Lions Club president Jason Smith said he was saddened by having to make the decision since the 33-year-old club has been very proactive in the Simpson area.
“We used to man the gate at the speedway and then the parking, but both of those got beyond our members,” he said.
“We have been doing the gate at the football, but unfortunately as our members get older, it becomes too much to ask people in their mid-80s to be out in inclement weather.
“Especially for the early morning shift – at 8am it can be quite cold in Simpson at those times, so we’ve had to step back from that.
“The impotence that made me reach out was the fact the football gate is one of the main jobs we do where people in the town see us.
“We do a lot – we look after people who might not have any firewood and get them a load, we do a lot with the school, we provide scholarships for graduating kids and more.”
The club also caters for the annual Heytesbury Show, provides assistance for community members in need, runs a poster colouring competition for the local school and has previously run public speaking competitions.
Mr Smith has been a proud Lion for over 20 years, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, and has been a member of the Simpson and district club since he moved to the area seven years ago.
He said the club was still able to cut firewood for those in need when he arrived in the district.
“We have a lot of the original members from Simpson who are now 80-85 years old – they were 50-year-old people and still very active,” Mr Smith said.
“They’re now beyond the point of carrying a chainsaw, let alone using one, and we’re unable to collect firewood for raffles and those in need.
“We’re looking for the town and the district to help us help them.
“Everyone tells me how much they appreciate the club and what we do, but we need a bit of help.”
Mr Smith said there has been some support from the community who have not been keen on committing to full Lions membership through a Friends of Lions group in the township, who have been assisting the club where needed.
“We’ve been short on particular days when we’ve been doing things such as the Bunnings barbecue, and we’ve been able to call upon them,” he said.
“We’ve got two, but ideally we’d really like half a dozen people who could fill a void when we need people on a barbecue or are able to help out.
“They’re covered by Lions insurance, so they’re safe on the job and they don’t have to financially commit or attend meetings – that’s another way people can help.
“Ultimately, we also need people at meetings as well.
“At times we’re unable to do certain jobs because out members are taking a well-deserved break.”
Mr Smith said the club understood many people had busy lives, but also found the younger generations had less of a yearning to help others as the older generation does.
“I had one local person say to me ‘I’ll join the Lions club when I’m old’ – unfortunately, the Lions Club may not be there when they’re old if they wait that long,” he said.
“I keep saying it’s very frustrating – it’s not necessarily for old people.”
Mr Smith said he was concerned the club may be forced to give up more of their activities if new members did not come forward.
“If we can’t get some new blood, a bit of help, all those services we do for the town – the ones people respect and appreciate – just won’t be there,” he said.
“Simpson and district are already going through some hard times with the blue gum buybacks and families leaving the area due to dairy farms finishing and trees being planted.
“If we don’t keep services organisations such as Lions going, it’s just another thing to leave the area – it’s a support network for the town.
“A lot of the time, I don’t know whether the community know the full extent of what the club does and what won’t be there if we have to cease operating.”
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