General News
31 March, 2026
LEOs club kicks off
Carisbrook Lions Club’s LEO faction has already commenced a major volunteer effort, joining over 100 members at a summit in Melbourne.
Recently leaving Maryborough for the LEO training and awards show at 8 am in the morning, Carisbrook Lions Club president Jefferson Hoober said the experience began as a daunting one for LEO members, who eventually warmed up to the event.
“The kids probably turned up a bit worried and a bit scared when they saw 150 people there, but they soon relaxed and got into activities and challenges,” he said.
“By lunch time they found new friends, and made a list of what they wanted to do with the new LEOs club. There is already a list of things in their heads.”
During the event, LEO members contributed to a staggering 4000 sandwiches made for school children who would otherwise go without food.
“Some of them said it was the best day they have ever had. We got home at quarter to eight at night, so it was a full day for junior members.”
Currently sitting at around eight members, and with no official name, Mr Hoober is welcoming an intake of more to jump on board.
“At 20 kids, we can start a club and run some activities around town. We are right in the middle of organising a disco during the school holidays,” he said.
A perk of Lions membership for many in the organisation is the intermingling between Lions members in neighbouring towns.
Mr Hoober said this is exactly the same for LEOs members, giving them a chance to branch out with other teens in diffferent LEO clubs.
“The LEOs chair person, who is from Cohuna, she is already talking about a joint camp, with the option of going to Creswick, there is already a chance that could happen,” he said.
“I see it as a benefit for our community for these kids to run events they can do for themselves. They can raise money and do what ever they want to do.”
Open to recruting more young people in time for the school holidays, Mr Hoober said the Lions Club needs energetic and sprightly young people to fill in any need.
“It benefits the Lions Club, it takes pressure off us, and some things members are getting too old to do. These kids can step up, there are different things they can do and have fun,” he said.
“They will be able to run what ever they want to run.”