News
News
Handover Dinner 2025/2026
The 58th Handover of the Lions Club of Onkaparinga Inc. was celebrated on Monday 30th June 2025 at the Olive Branch Cafe at Balhannah. Lions members, partners and guests enjoyed dinner and watched as District 201c1 Governor Ray Najar inducted President John Plummer and the Board of Directors.
Following the formalities, the Board of Directors gathered for a photo (left). From left: Wendy Kerber (Director); Sharyn Shillabeer (Treasurer); Lyn Green (Secretary); John Plummer (President); Ray Najar (District Governor); Roz Bowering (Membership Director); Neil Green (Director); Corry Moors (1st Vice President); Brenton Heinrich (Service Director).
Garth Beckwith Memorial President's Award
This year, the Garth Beckwith Memorial President’s Award recognised Lions Members, Lions Partners and volunteers who put in many hours at the Lions Shed at Woodside.
Accepting the Award from Lions Partner Betsy Mattner (left) is Brenton Heinrich, Service Director.
(Past District Governor and Club member Garth is pictured far left).
The Shed has had a record year with fundraising sales, drop offs of items that would otherwise have gone to land-fill and pick-ups and deliveries of items to and from the Shed to assist community members with no other way of transporting them.
Funds raised from the Shed have enabled the Club to support numerous community projects; to contribute to Lions Australia Foundations with a focus on Well being, Medical Research, Cancer, Diabetes and Sight; and to support disaster relief in a timely manner.
Awards 2024/2025
Awards were presented to 4 Lions members in recognition of their service to Lions and the community
Neil Green (left), received the James McLardie Award, presented by Lions Partner Pam Heinrich, for outstanding service to Lions and the community. For establishing links with the Young Carers Program based at Woodside, Corry Moors (above) received the Barry J. Palmer AO Kindness Matters Recognition Award presented by Peter Milsom, Zone Chair.
Charter member Dr Charles Mattner OAM presented Wendy Kerber (left) with the Australian Lions Foundation James D Richardson Honour Award for service to Lions and her extensive contribution to the local community.
President John Plummer (left) conferred Lions Club of Onkaparinga Senior Membership on Brenton Heinrich after 30 years of exemplary service to Lions and the community. Brenton is pictured far left receiving the membership from District Governor Ray Najar (centre).
On a lighter note......
10 Lions’ Bag Awards were given out to Lions members and partners in recognition of their unique contributions to the Club during the year.
The bags were handed out by Leonie Feutrill & Roz Bowering (below) and a selection of the recipients are highlighted here:
Eileen Williams(above) for the best 80th birthday bash.
Wendy & Trevor Kerber (below) for the best social event.
Michael Lucas (above) for bringing back the Roast Dinner at Work meetings to the delight of many members.
Nicole McIntosh (below) for making the roast a regular feature on the menu.
Charles Mattner (above left) for battling peak hour traffic from Mitchell Park to assist at the Shed during a busy May and Stella Bellosguardo (above right) for outstanding punctuality.
The highest corn toss of the year was achieved by Lyn Harten (below), landing in the Kerber’s gutter (below bottom) much to the amusement of members and Lyn.
Community members acknowledged at the Lions Australia Day Community Breakfast at Woodside .
Des Chabrel
Lion President John Plummer congratulates Adelaide Hills Council Citizen of the year 2025, Des Chabrel. A Balhannah local, Des was recognised for his inspiring voluntary work creating Technical Aids for the Disabled both locally and beyond.
Pam & Brenton Heinrich
Lion Brenton Heinrich and Lion’s partner Pam Heinrich are recipients of Active Citizenship Awards from the Adelaide Hills Council for their extensive contribution to the local community and Lions. The Honorable Dan Cregan, member for Kavel, was on hand to acknowledge their achievement.
Corry Moors
Lion Corry Moors was congratulated on achieving an Active Citizenship Award by Dan Cregan. Corry was nominated for this award for his leadership of the Lions Club of Onkaparinga Inc. and his commitment as a Lion to Youth development.
OAM for Lion Kingsley Blenkiron
Also acknowledged at the community breakfast on Australia Day was Lion Kingsley Blenkiron. Kingsley (pictured right with Dan Cregan) was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community of Onkaparinga. Much deserved.
Providing and maintaining community facilities
Over the years, the Lions Club of Onkaparinga have provided a number of facilities across the district for use by community members and visitors to our beautiful Adelaide Hills.
These include the Lions Information Bay at Woodside and the BBQ Shelters at the Woodside Play Ground and Brockhoff Park at Balhannah.
Maintaining these facilities is a responsibility that we undertake regularly.
Recently, Club members have been working on giving the BBQ Shelter at Balhannah a facelift.
Please enjoy these facilities and let us know if you notice anything that requires our attention.