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Red Shield Appeal 2008

Each year the Emu Plains Lions are involved in the local Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal.

This years appeal was held on the 25th of May and was supported by 22 teams of over 80 leaders and collectors being predominantly students from the Nepean High School in Emu Plains, parents, and Lions.

The Salvation Army is one organisation which benefit not only from regular donations from the Emu Plains Lions, but also from the annual support given on Red Shield Appeal Day when the members take a group of students out into the area to collect for the cause.

The event was followed by a sausage sizzle provided by the Lions. Our thanks go out to all those people in the area who supported the cause, as well as all the collectors who so generously gave of their time to assist on the day.

Pictured left are (left to right) Lions Bob Marsden, John Choma (President), David Kitley, and Ian West. Sitting are Lions Jan Fazarkerley and Peter Teiffel.

Pictured right is Lion Margaret Klower with three of her young collectors.

Penrith BBQ at BMX facility, St. Mary's

The Penrith Panthers BMX Club facility at Blair Oval in St Marys was officially opened in 2003 and is a state-of-the-art racing track providing entertainment and competition for BMX riders of all ages.

BMX racing is a family-friendly sport and people of all ages are involved in the club. It expects to help establish champions of the future as well as holding state and federal championships at the facility.

The Emu Plains Lions serving their local community donate their time to serve food and drinks at the various functions held here on a regular basis. All revenue raised by the Lions are used to assist the disabled and disadvantaged in the community.

2007 Arms of Australia Inn Fete.

The Emu Plains Lions assist the Arms of Australia Inn Museum with their annual financial drive. The Museum, or 'Mortimer's House' as it was also known at one stage, was one of 23 road side Inns in the Nepean District, and was the last stop before starting up the mountain road and the original trail west. The 'Inn' is located on the corner of Gardenia Avenue and the Great Western highway and is open all year around as well as one evening every second week when the museum run a 'Ghost Tour' or 'Lantern and Twilight Tour' as it is advertised.

The original building was started around 1826 and is regarded as one of the oldest in the district. From 1840 onwards it was run as a wayside inn on the main road to Bathurst, Orange, and the gold diggings around the Hill End district.

Bushrangers were a problem for stagecoach companies like Cobb & Co., bullock team drivers transporting stock and provisions over the mountains, as well as the public travelling during those times. A lit lantern from a second inn at Glenbrook (no longer there) was visible from Emu Plains and would warn travellers of potential problems when bushrangers were stalking the area. Such situations would necessitate an overnight stay for the travelling public before being able to continue in relative safety during daylight hours.

The rail line west came through in 1865, trade fell off dramatically, and the Arms became a private home until 1965. In 1972 the historical society took over the property and spent several years restoring the building after it had deteriorated due to lack of maintenance over many years.

The Emu Plains Lions contribute by selling raffle tickets to the Chocolate Wheel. All proceeds go toward the never ending upkeep and restoration of this project.

Bandage Bear Childrens Hospital Fundraiser

Saturday the 9th of September was national Bandage Bear day in aid of the Childrens hospital. In Emu Plains, the event was held by Woolworths at the Centro Shopping Complex with the Emu Plains Lions manning the BarBQue selling sausage sandwiches, drinks, and lollies, and Woolworths supplying all the material sold on the day.

It was a cool rainy morning, but the crew managed to earn almost $550 for the hospital appeal between 10:00am and 13:00 in between showers.

Lions Peter Teiffel, Ian West, and Bob Henry manned the BarBQue under the eaves of the main building out of the rain, while Lion Sue Hunt sold sausage sandwiches and lollies. We wish to thank the ladies from Woolworths, Robyn, Vickie, and Lyn, who assisted with sales and kept up stock as it became depleted.

Lions Tree Planting - Hunter Park, Emu Plains

On a beautiful sunny still day, Emu Plains Lions met representatives from Emu Plains and Leonay Public Schools accompanied by many helpful and thoughtful parents as well as Nepean High School students. Emu Plains Lions with a team of Penrith City Council staff, guided the students in planting 200 trees in a grove. This grove is situated at the South Western end of the park, so look out for our trees growing there. (In the above photo we see Lion Ian West ensuring that his shovel maintains just the right angle without falling over.)

Darren from council gave a demonstration of how to dig the apprppriate sized hole required, the placement of polystyrene particles (to reduce soil compression and aid watering), and then to planting the trees. Once done, mulch was placed around the base of the trees to retain any moisture.

Everyone got involved including the parents and the wee pre-schoolers who did a terrific job. Well done Sophie, Chloe and Mason!

In no time at all, 200 trees had been planted, and then the fun began. Using the empty pots and filling them with mulch, then running up and down dropping/bombing the exposed dirt between the trees to give a totally covered area of mulch, occupied some time for the students as well as being a great source of amusement for all who witnessed.

Many thanks to all those involved, especially those Lions who liased with the council to coordinate the succesful Arbor Day Activity.

Congratulations to all for being involved in such a worthwhile community project.

(Feature Material and photographs supplied by Vice-principal Doug Patterson)