Thanks to the initial efforts of founding member Lion John Choma, the Emu Plains Lions Club was born in 1988.   Lion John was initially invited to join the St. Mary's Lions Club in 1971 and served this club well for many years.   As Australia's bi-centennial year was nearing, St. Mary's suggested they sponsor a new club in Emu Plains, and as Lion John lived there, he was asked to canvass the area to try to build up a membership for the new club.   After a great deal of door knocking, a list of 22 names of potential members showing their desire to join the new club was gathered for the inaugural ceremony.

The club received its charter at a Gala event held at the Emu Plains Sporting and Recreational club on the evening of April 29, 1988.   The charter was presented to Lion John Woods by the then District Governor, Lion Alan Judd, with 200 guests in attendance, many of whom were dressed in colonial costumes for the occasion.   Lion John became the club's first president.

It was not long before the new club became active in the community.   One of the first community involvements was to assist the University of Western Sydney with a Tree Planting project along the Great Western Highway in Western Sydney.

From the beginning, the club has been involved with the 'Chocolate Wheel' which is run on Saturday Mornings at the Penrith Plaza Shopping Centre in conjunction with three other clubs.   This project has been a major source of revenue for the Emu Plains Lions with donations from these proceeds being donated back into the community in areas of greatest need.

The Chocolate Wheel has been going since 1985 when management of the Plaza Complex was approached and permission was gained to conduct the wheel in order to raise funds for the Lions Organisation.   Initially prizes offered included meat, chicken, and seafood trays, as well as bread, pies, fruit, and vegetable boxes, all obtained from merchants within the centre.

Changes to laws requiring refrigeration to all perishable goods meant that these items could no longer be displayed, and a new system of vouchers were introduced allowing the winners to collect prizes redeemable directly from the merchants.

Started by the Lions club of Richmond in 1985, the activity has since become a joint venture between Emu Plains, Penrith, Cambridge Park, and Winmalee clubs. The activity is a major fund raising source for these clubs with an average 1700 hours contributed by the participants annually.

All funds collected by the Lions are disbursed annually to a number of local charities and international initiatives.   In recent years donations have gone towards projects which include updating wheel chairs to local children with disabilities, and financing a Hart Walker as well as contracting to up-date the maintenance of the unit over a five year period at a cost of approximately $5,000:00.   Other beneficiaries of donations over the years have been the Penrith Community Kitchen, Sight First (Save Sight Institute), Care Flight Helicopters, Lions Childhood cancer research, Salvation Army, Nepean Hospital, Australian Lions Drug Awareness (ALDAF), the Heart Research Institute, Guide Dogs, Lions Cord Blood & Childhood Cancer Research, to mention only some.

Each year the Emu Plains Lions organise to assist the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal in the area.   Schools are canvassed in the area and Lions and High School Students spend several hours door knocking the region and collecting donations.   The event concludes with a BBQ and soft drinks donated by the Emu Lions as a thank you to the weary collectors.   This has been an annual event since 1990 and has helped the Salvation Army to raise a considerable amount of money.   The 2005 Appeal helped to raise almost $9000:00 for a good cause just within the Emu Plains and Leonay areas.

At Christmas time the Lions purchase Christmas Trees which are brought in from the Oberon area and sold locally.   Other regular local activities include Lions Youth of the Year, Fetes for local organisations, Presentation of Lions Encouragement Awards at six local schools, and supplying and manning refreshment tables for the Nepean Fun Run.

Throughout the existence of the club, the Emu Plains Lions have been highly visible in the community. The club has supported many organisations dealing with the handicapped and the visually impaired, and there has been many regular donations to various medical foundations and groups dedicated to assistance for the less fortunate.

Membership dues cover all Club administrative expenses.   The Lions charter does not allow the membership to use any money raised through fund raising projects for other than those of non-profit Lions and community programs.

The Emu Plains Lions are also concerned with environmental issues within the region and continue to promote projects essential to the community.   If you would like to know more about Lions, or of our activities, or you think you would like to become involved with the Lions movement, please contact any of the members through this Web Site either by phone or by e-mail.  

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