Perth Lions making a difference

ESKLEIGH started as a not-for-profit organisation more than 70 years ago in Perth, with a mission to care for Tasmanians living with a disability. 

Today, it is one of Tasmania’s most experienced disability providers. 

While much has changed in the disability support sector over the past 70 years, Eskleigh is still not-for-profit and providing the best in care to Tasmanians right across the state.

The Perth Lions Club has a long history of support for Eskleigh, reaching back to the 1970s, shortly after the Club started. its support has come in six main forms by providing:

• Facilities, including two 20 metre paths and rails, a wheelchair and a colour television for individual patients, and a 40 metre path to a garden and barbecue area
• Labour for fundraising activities such as fetes, garden shows, art exhibition openings, movie nights and auctions
• A Trivia Night
• Donations – the takings from Carols by Candlelight services are donated to Eskleigh
• “Santa” for the family Christmas Luncheon
• Direct support of patients.

Lions members visit and deliver presents on Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days, provide Santa for the annual family Christmas luncheon complete with presents. 

President Ralph McGee said Lions members get back just as much as they give.

“The satisfaction derived from direct dealings with patients and witnessing the thrills they seem to obtain from joint undertakings are immense and invariably leave us with a warm inner glow and a strong sense of wellbeing,” he said.

“The Club recently hosted Sam Diprose Adams and Bee Newman who have been working with Eskleigh on a community engagement proposal that includes historic signage, walkways, vegetation removal along the banks (removing the willows that are damaging the waterways), among other things. 

“They spoke about various aspects of their proposal and we decided to give our in-principle support and committed to respond positively, where possible, to requests for financial assistance and/or labour.”       

Selling cow manure is the Club’s major fund raiser. 

Orders can be made any time with Carol on 0488 184 147. The cost is $7 per bag. There is free delivery on orders with a minimum of five bags.

Anyone interested in attending meetings can contact Ralph on 0417 100 967.