At the event, held at Benalla Bowls Club on June 19 president Peter Brown was returned for another year.
“Our priority this year is membership,” Mr Brown said.
He said when people attend a Lions Club meeting, they might think it’s just for older members of the community.
“We got to change our focus and attract new younger members,” he said.
“And that is male and female members.”
The club was honoured to have newly-elected Lions International director Phillip Johnson, accompanied by his wife Anne, carry out the induction of the new 2026-27 board.
Mr Brown said the club was proud of the money it had given to a range of Lions charities and community groups in the past 12 months.
Lions Club of Benalla 2025-26 disbursements
Rose City Band - $500
Australian Lions Foundation - $1500
Lions Club International Foundation - $1000
Vic Lions V6 Foundation - $1500
Australian Lions Wellbeing Fund - $1000
Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation - $1000
Lions Need for Feed - $500
Benalla CFA Group - $7000 for two thermal imaging cameras
Legacy - $500
Benalla Theatre Company - $750
Lions Prostate Cancer - $1000
Benalla Guides - $300
Benalla Scouts - $300
Sister Burns Trust - $750
Benalla SES - $750
Albury Wodonga Cancer Foundation - $1000
Benalla L2P - $500
Odyssey House - $500
Lions House - $500
Royal Flying Doctor - $1000
Goorambat Vietnam Veterans Retreat - $500
The Benalla P-12 College Band - $500
Other donations - $6470
“The major one we've supported this year, was the CFA where we financed two thermal imaging cameras,” he said.
“Which we thought was important after the (January) bushfires.
“They can use them to see if trees are still smouldering and burning.
“They use them in houses and all different types of things.
“We knew that Rotary gave donations (of these cameras).
“So we also donated two.
“We've got 18 or 19 local brigades, and they can be used right around our whole area, which is great.”
Mr Brown said everyone in Lions is excited about the new board.
“We have our new membership chairman, Chris Vaughan.
“So he’ll be contactable and available for anyone who might like to join.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Lions Club of Benalla, and membership options, you can find them on Facebook and send a message.
Lions Club of Benalla 2026-27 board
President - Peter Brown
1st Vice President - Graham Milner
2nd Vice President - Lock Lidgerwood
3rd Vice President = Garry Clues
Secretary - David Lowing
Treasurer - Lester Watt
Membership Chair - Chris Vaughan
GST Chair 1st Vice President - Graham Milner
LCIF Club Coordinator, Immediate Past President - Chris Vaughan
Lion Tamer - Garry Clues
Tail Twister - Lester Watt
1 Year Directors - Stephen Kelly and Anna Lynch
2 Year Directors - Bruce Walker and Ian Capp