William R. Tresise Memorial FountainPrint Page 
The fountain was presented to the City of Lismore to commemorate the formation of the first Australian Lions Club by William R. Tresise in Lismore in 1947. The fountain was refurbished and rededicated in 1997.
The fountain was due to be demolished in 2016 and after an outcry from the public the fountain was restored and public artwork was created as a contemporary tribute and unveiled in 2017, the 70th anniversary of the Australian Lions Club. The artwork tells the inspiring story of Lions, their history and the good work they have done in our local community and throughout Australia.
The first Australian Lions Club was formed in 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.
Location
| Address: | Molesworth Street & Bruxner Highway, Lismore, 2480 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -28.812959 Long: 153.273438 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Structure |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Culture |
| Sub-Theme: | Community |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 29-September-1947 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 29-September-1947 |
| Artist: | Scott Harrower (Public Artwork 2017) |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | September-1967 |
|---|
This fountain was presented to the City of Lismore in September 1967 by members of the Australian Lions Clubs
To commemorate the formation of the first club on 29th September 1947
William R. Tresise
Australian founder
Bruno Friedlander
District Governor 1967 - 68
Plaque :
William R. Tresise Memorial Fountain and Plaza
This refurbished Fountain and Lions Plaza was re-dedicated to the spirit of Lionism by Augustin Soliva, International President of the International Association of Lions Clubs on Wednesday 21 May 1997 during the 50th Anniversary National Convention held in Lismore
Plaque :
Honour Roll
[ Names of Clubs ]
