Benalla Leos Club helping produce the next generation of community leaders

Operating since 2014 the Benalla Leos had up to 12 members at its height.

However, with high-achieving members, each year the club loses members as they go off to university or move away from the Rose City.

*** Man arrested for drink driving in Benalla more than three times over limit

That coupled with the issues around the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 has seen membership drop to only three.

Bruce Walker, the Leos Club coordinator, is keen for new members to join so the club can keep doing all the great things it does in the community - while empowering young people to gain confidence and develop leadership skills.

{image:864972913}

“We have always been impacted by members going off to university, but COVID has really knocked the stuffing out of Leos,” Mr Walker said.

“So we are really keen to get new members. The Benalla Leos has always been a very successful club which has done a lot of good things in the community.

*** CFA donations allow Benalla brigades to purchase new Toyota

“In 2017 it was awarded community youth group of the year at the Benalla Australia Day Awards.

“It has raised money for the Ambulance Service providing them with a medical vacuum mattress, and raised money for SES to get some vital software they use.

{image:865171196}

“It has provided trauma teddies to police and ambulance members. Those are used in crisis situations where young children are upset.”

And that is just breaking the surface of their work in the community.

*** All-Abilities team creates regent honeyeater habitat partnering with Regional Roads Vic

It has raised funds to install 20 signs around Benalla reminding people to not leave children unattended in cars.

In 2018 it raised money to help fund the education of five Nepalese children and later that year donated funds to Benalla Rural City Outreach Support worker Ivan Lister.

{image:865014933}

The Leos also support Lions Club activities and will often be seen helping out with sausage sizzles or at Carols by Candlelight where they play an integral role.

“Being a part of the Leos Club helps young people gain confidence and great speaking and leadership skills,” Mr Walker said.

*** Room at the Table moves into new premises, plans grand opening

“It's great to see. Some members wouldn't say boo to a goose when they join. Then you see them gain confidence and come out of their shells.

“The first president Benalla Leos had was Natalie O'Brien, she was excellent and got them off to a great start, but she was studying and moved on.

{image:655089675}

“Then we had Jazzy Burke and she was the Young Australian of the Year for Benalla in 2018.

*** Benalla’s Sylvia Draeger celebrates her 100th birthday with friends and family

“Our next president was Keeley Marshall who did a great job and currently the new president, who has not had much time to get his feet under the table is Ben Milner.

“And we'd love to have a few new members for his tenure as president.”

On top of doing amazing things in the community, Leos is also a social club where young people can make lifelong friends.

“In the meetings we try and mix it up a bit and have a bit of fun,” Mr Walker said.

*** Art on Saturdays program launches at Benalla Art Gallery this month

“The first part of the meeting is the business part where they might discuss fundraising activities, or decide who to donate funds to.

“Then after that we have a bit of a fun activity and try and do something to give them a bit of a laugh.

“Sometimes we have a pizza night, for example.”

The Benalla Leos Club is for young people of school age, aged 13 and over.

They meet on the first and third Monday of each month from 7 pm-8 pm at the Lions Shed at 101 Waller St.

If you are interested in joining, or have kids who might like to join you can call Bruce Walker on 0418 998 721.

If you would like to send a letter to the editor on this, or any subject, click this link