Cossette Murphy has put together three questions for the members of the Metung Lions Club to highlight their involvement in their community and encourage new members to join their club.
“We don’t talk too much about our achievements, and I think it is time to let our community know what we do,” Cossette said.
“We do so much more than just barbecues and invite the community to join us.”
Cossette put three questions to members: How long have you been a member of Metung Lions Club? Why did you become a member of Metung Lions Club? Do you have any memorable moments you would like to share?
Here are their responses:
Andrew Bell: I have been a member of the club for almost 13 years and never looked back. I joined to help out in the community, to meet new people, make new friends, network within our community and beyond. I have fond memories of the seafood festival, grand final football night, the Fun Run and Carols on the Green.
Ann Bell: I joined the club full time this year but have been attending events with my husband for the past 13 years. I like to support my community and I get to meet new people. I have fond memories of Carols on the
Green, Metung Farmers Markets and the seafood festival.
Angela Coppock: I have been attending the club social gatherings for the past 10 years with my husband as I am also involved with Metung Bloodhounds. When attending the social meeting I like to tell jokes.
Malcolm Coppock: I’ve been with the club for the past 10 years, invited by another club member and still here. Like Malcom Reed, I’m also a member of the Twin River Men’s Shed and together we built the sorting machine for 10 cent project. It makes the sorting of cans and bottles so much easier and is very easy to operate.
Cosette Murphy: Joined in 2019 and never looked back. Metung Lions Club is an amazing club to be part of. We have fun but also work hard to raise funds for our community. Have too many memorable moments to share like Carols on the Green, the Fun Run, the Halloween Bus, trivia nights, but the one that always comes into my mind is the Easter Bunny Drive during the lockdowns. That day three members of the club drove the ‘Bunny Mobile’ as far as Swan Reach from 9am to 3pm, bringing lots of chocolate and smiles to the children and their families. It was a humble experience.
Michael Murphy: My wife and I joined the club about six years ago, invited by another member and although we are the youngest in the group we have found mutual trust, support and friendship. We work together to support our community and that brings a sense of pride that you have been part of it. My favourite moments are Opera by the Lake, Christmas on the Green and the Fun Run when we are up at 6.45am.
Edune Bowen: I became a full time member three years ago but have been attending meetings before that. I joined because I like to help people and I have fond memories of Christmas gatherings at the club and at Carols on the Green.
Forbes McQuitty: Too many years ago I joined Metung Lions Club and Metung RSL as both clubs are supporting each other making our community stronger. I have fond memories of many fundraising events, the seafood festival at Easter was hard work but so much fun. Still our monthly barbecue at Metung Farmers Market can get busy too. Have you ever tried my egg and bacon rolls?
Frances Phillips: Have been attending the meetings for seven or eight years and been involved in coordinating the barbecues at Metung Farmers Market and Bunnings. With my husband Roger, we organise the monthly social dinner at Swan Reach Hotel. Sometimes I feel I get more out of it than I put in.
Roger Phillips: Been a member for seven or eight years and after retirement wanted to do something for my community. Bunnings barbecues are very rewarding, get you out there in the community, talking with people. With my wife Frances we organise the monthly social dinners at Swan Reach Hotel.
Gayle English: Been attending the club social gatherings for the past 18 months with my husband as I am also involved with Metung Bloodhounds.
Richard English: I joined the club about 18 months ago and as a newcomer to the area I like to get more involved in the community. One day I was attending the Metung Farmers Market with my wife and went to purchase some food from Metung Lions Club barbecue, next thing I was a member of the club and have never looked back. Got involved with the 10 cent cans and bottles project and I was very pleased when we reached recycling half a million bottles from land fill but also fundraising money for Metung CFA.
Ian Gale: I joined Metung Lions in 2018 although I had been a Lions member in several states since 1988. The sense of providing assistance to the local community, to serve and fellowship. The cans and bottles project and the Fun Run and fellowship are memorable.
Judy Gale: Joined Metung Lions in 2018. Joined to service the community. A visit to Annies Cottage was a memorable moment.
Jim McKreel: I am also a member of Metung RSL and as our clubs are supporting each other becoming a member of Metung Lions club six or seven years ago was the right thing to do. We work hard but it is very rewarding. The 10c deposit return project is a very rewarding program.
John Butler-Cole: Been with the club for the past year invited by another club member. As I am also involved with East Gippsland Ratepayers and Residents Association been part of this club gives me a hands-on approach and purpose to support my community. I have two fond memories, one attending the Metung Fun Run event and the ‘Finish Line’ inflated signage started deflating even before the race started and second got to operate for the first time an Eftpos machine at the Lions barbecue at Metung Farmers Market.
Malcolm Reed: I have been in Lions for three years. I joined because another member invited me. My wife Jeni is attending the club’s social gatherings with me too. My most memorable moment was when the machine I designed with the help of Malcolm Coppock worked for the first time, when the first bin full of bottles lifted from the floor onto the sorting table. This machine is helping us to quickly sort all the bottles for 10 cent deposit return project we are involved with. Since the collection project started approximately 18 months ago, we have processed over 225,000 bottles and cans. The money raised is going towards the new CFA site. Probably the other most memorable event for me is the Carols on the Green.
Susan O’Brien: Been attending the club for the past 12 years, giving me the opportunity to meet people and support my community. I have fond memories of the seafood festival at Easter time, very busy with locals and holiday makers. The Fun Run and Carols on the Green also bring in the locals as well as visitors to Metung. I enjoy our social dinners at Swan Reach Hotel.
Tim Belcher: Been a member for seven years. I joined soon after I retired to Metung, to get to know people in my new community. If you live in a community then you should be a part of it. I enjoy selling raffle tickets at the hotel and chatting to holiday makers in the village is interesting.
Tony Foot: Been involved with the Lions Club for the past 12 years giving me the opportunity to meet people from our community. Throughout the years I have been involved in many projects including the bus run, Lions benches, Carols on the Green, and the seafood festival – I was burnt out at the end of that day.
For more information or to join the club send an email to metunglions@gmail.com
