It was a case welcoming the new and recognising the old at the most recent Gerringong Lions dinner meeting at The Blue Goose Cafe in Gerringong, 

Jenni Hill was inducted into the club.

She has been in town for a few years and had attended a couple of meetings - her sponsor, Peter Jeffrey and induction officer Steve Pottie, officially welcomed her to the club.

Jenni Hill, new member, (left) with Steve Pottie (c) and Peter Jeffrey (r).

Vice-president (and president elect for 2026-27) Terry Kirkpatrick presented long service certificates to a number of “older” Lions: Peter Jeffrey for 10 years; Ron Horner and Steve Pottie (15 years) and Karl Kunz and Dave Peade (20 years).

Another feather in the Gerringong Lions cap came when the club was announced as the host club for the 2027 N2 Zone Conference at Worrigee Sports Club. 

The Zone covers Goulbourn, ACT and South Coast clubs. Gerringong secretary Peter Jeffries was appointed as the co-ordinator of the conference. 

Return and Earn has been a major success for the club. Initiated by Bruce Ray, the project has recently exceeded the milestone of 2 million items going into the Return and Earn machine at Michael Cronin Oval, earning $200,000 for Lions charities and other organisations while saving all those containers from landfill. 

Tomra, the overseer of the scheme is planning a special visit to Gerringong to celebrate the milestone.

Ron Horner (L) Steve Pottie (c) Terry Kirkpatrick (R) with their 15-year certificates

Four local youths would be attending the Outward Bound course, courtesy of the Gerringong Lions. Previous club stalwart and a current bottle and can collector, Ray Worboys was given a recliner chair, donated by the Lions. 

Ray hasn’t been enjoying the best of health in recent times and the chair will make his life a little easier.

The Lions Club of Gerringong brought energy and colour to the GLAM Community Hub event at the Gerringong Library on the weekend, hosting a recruitment desk and providing a free community BBQ that proved extremely popular with attendees.

The event drew a crowd, with locals, regular supporters, and curious newcomers all stopping by to learn more about Lions. 

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made an appearance, delighting attendees and adding a touch of global flair to the day. 

Later, while tallying the proceeds from the free BBQ, volunteers discovered a lone NZ$5 note in the donation tin. While the Lions are not drawing any firm conclusions, they admit they now have a “short list of suspects”.

All proceeds from the BBQ have been donated directly to the Gerringong Library, supporting its ongoing programs and community services.