23/05/2026
⛪ LIONS NATIONAL CONVENTION: DAY TWO
It's the second day of the Multiple District Convention here in Adelaide, and there has been a lot of interesting and inspiring speakers and spotlights, as well as plenty of time for fellowship!
Today’s highlights include:
📷 We caught Lions Carol & Coral on the big screen, part of a video showcasing photos of Lions from all across Australia! Tocumwal also featured in the video yesterday morning too, but we weren’t quick enough snapping a photo.
🎤 The national Leo Of The Year final - it’s always so inspiring to hear from the amazing Leo members who are making a difference in their communities and their own lives. Congratulations to New South Wales' Avinash Mohta on being announced as both the Public Speaking winner and 2026 Leo Of The Year! All the of finalists have made great contributions of their communities and all of their speeches were really interesting to listen to.
🇵🇬 An update from the PNG Development Committee - Lions have been in Papua New Guinea since 1962, and there are currently six clubs and two branch clubs. PNG Lions are enthusiastic, but struggle with little resources & overwhelming need, so the Development Committee help Lions to grow in the country. One the major projects has been the Birthing Mothers project, building Bush Huts and providing Baby Bundles.
🇺🇦 A look at part 4 of the Winter is Coming to Ukraine Project - last year, Lions in Australia donated $79,587 towards providing stoves. This year, the project is providing medium diesel generators in the wake of power stations being destroyed.
🫶 Chris Burns, CEO Hutt St Centre, gave an insightful keynote address about supporting people on their journey from homelessness to homefulness. In the 2021 census, 122,494 were recorded as homeless nationally, an increase of 5% from the 2016 census. In SA, that number is 7.428, an increase of 19%. The statistics surrounding why people are homeless and where they end up staying was really eye-opening, and the work done by the volunteers at Hutt St is really inspiring.
🐕🦺 Lions Assistance Dogs gave a demonstration on the basic skills and commands that the dogs a taught - walking beside their owner, ignoring distractions, sitting on their mat when out & about, ignoring food (like when out at a café), and sitting & staying. Attendees were then given the opportunity to walk some of the trainee dogs through the course, aided by the dog trainers.
🧒 Spotlight: Youth - A look at the youth opportunities and programs that Lions offer, including Leos and the Leo Advisory Panel, Peace Poster & Essay, and Wheelchair Basketball.
❔ A Q&A session with executives and knowledgeable leaders, with questions submitted during the morning about various topics that Lions in attendance wanted to know more about.
🌳 Project Spotlight: Lions Green Canopy - the aim is to plant 1,000,000 million trees across Australia by 30 June 2027, and so far Lions have planted over 180,000 trees. Lion Jon Dee from One Tree Per Child, which he co-founded with Olivia Newton-John, spoke about their aim to get every child to plant at least one tree before they leave school, and their innovative pairs really well with this Lions project.
🪡 Throughout the day, there is also the opportunity to sew and stuff cushions for the Hear Me Roar! project, which delivers cushions, care packs, sensory toys, port pillows, stoma bag covers, baby bibs & blankets. Or there was making dog toys to provide enrichment for the Assistance Dogs being fostered and in training. Our friends at Kerang Lions Club were busy bees all day at Hear Me Roar! station!
And of course, more exploring of the Expo Hall! Tonight it’s off to the Past District Governor’s dinner before another jam-packed day tomorrow!
Lions Australia Lions District 201V6
