75th Anniversary of Lions International in AustraliaPrint Page 
The first Australian Lions Club was formed in the northern NSW town of Lismore on July 1st, 1947, largely through the efforts of William R.Tresise. While serving as National President of Apex, and nearing 40, the compulsory retirement age of that organisation, Bill Tresise unsuccessfully urged the formation of a senior Apex movement.
A chance 1946 meeting in the US with a past International President of Lions (Fred Smith, from California) led quickly to interviews with Lions Past International President Ed Barry, of Arkansas, and then with the Secretary-General and Founder of the Lions Association, Melvin Jones, in Chicago. Tresise was appointed a provisional District Governor, with power to form Lions Clubs in his home country.
He called a meeting of the business and professional men in his home town of Lismore, where he operated a plaster and hardware business, to hear the Lions story. An eloquent speaker, Bill Tresise soon convinced enough members to form the club. The first President, Jim Brown, proudly received the Club's official Charter in September of the same year. Melvin Jones cabled: " Congratulations to the 18th country to enter the International Association of Lions Clubs."
Tree Planting and celebrating 75 years of Lions.
Lions actively support improving our environment. Today we worked with over 200 people from our community, Knox City Council and many Lions members to plant 3000 native plants at Collier Reserve. We also commemorated 75 years of Lions service in Australia by planting a mature tree with Marcia Timmers-Leitch - Councillor Collier Ward Knox City Council and Mayor Susan Laukens For Knox who spoke about the tremendous work Lions Clubs do across the Knox municipality. There’ll be a commemorative plaque installed at the foot of the tree in coming weeks. Following all the planting we fed the hungry hoards with a sausage sizzle (and veggie burgers). A special thanks to our project co-ordinator for this event, Lion Michelle Glennon and all the Wantirna Lions crew on deck.
Facebook, Wantirna Lions, 31 July 2022.
Location
| Address: | 81 Alderford Drive, Collier Reserve, Wantirna, 3152 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.867573 Long: 145.234833 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Tree |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Culture |
| Sub-Theme: | Community |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 01-July-1947 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 01-July -2022 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Sunday 31st July, 2022 |
|---|
Plaque:
Lions Knox City Council
L
International
This tree was planted at Collier Reserve by
Knox City Council in recognition and
celebrations of Lions Clubs International Services
to Australian communities for 75 Years
July 2022.
