By AIDAN KNIGHT

 

THE first week of May will see Traralgon host the 73rd National Conference for Lions Australia – an event so huge it involves a three-year bidding process (similar to the Olympics) simply to choose a hosting location.

This is the first time Traralgon, or even the wider Gippsland/Latrobe Valley region, has hosted the event, which took place last year in Darwin. This year’s main event will be held at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, starting this Friday (May 2), running to Monday, May 5.

Tourism associations current figures project the economic impact of hosting the convention will benefit the local area by upwards of $2 million, and Traralgon’s hosting will be the biggest event on the Lions foundation’s calendar until July’s International conference in Orlando, Florida.

The organisation has around 1.4 million members globally, belonging to a huge 48,000 clubs around the world, with 26,000 individuals from 1200 Australian Clubs invited to the Traralgon conference.

Latrobe City’s hosting of the event was strategic – making it close enough to Melbourne to be accessible for interstate travellers of all modes of transport, but still offering a distinct community-focused experience that will benefit both the local area, and tie in with the core values of the foundation.

“This is the first time it’s come to eastern Victoria”, Traralgon Lions President, Mark Henning explained.

“Traditionally it’s major cities that attract these events, Geelong has hosted once but otherwise it’s stayed in Melbourne when in Victoria.

“We were approached by the national body who were very keen to have it in Latrobe City as the area has expanded – we initially said no thinking it was too big of a task for one club, but have since got some support from surrounding clubs in order to pull together and put our bid in”.

Traralgon presented their plan at the 2022 Melbourne convention, which they won.

Surrounding clubs that helped make this were Yinnar, Churchill, Morwell, Moe and Erica Lions, as well as (outside of the district) Sale and Newcastle respectively.The conference see’s Lions members congregate from all over the country, to display, acknowledge and celebrate the work that the vast multitude of Lions clubs across Australia put in throughout the previous 12 months for the betterment of their respective communities. This work includes flood/drought and disaster relief, medical research, mental health support, youth development programs, local community projects, and even helping to fight famine.

Traralgon Lions Club has raised money, contributing to the Traralgon City Band’s trip to Europe later this year, Spinal Cord Fellowship, Carols By Candlelight, Junior Public Speaking Contest, Gray Street Primary School Breakfast Club, the monthly farmers market, and weekly spinning wheel at Traralgon Centre Plaza.

Held over four days, the conference will see a keynote address from Australian athlete Pat Farmer, famous as both not only an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, but also as the only person to ever run from the North to South Poles.

Much like the Lions, Mr Farmer uses his platform to fundraise for various charities and causes via his sporting endeavours, even choosing to give back to Lions Australia themselves.

He lists his biggest inspiration as Australian athletic icon Cliffy Young, but has made a mark on the country himself in a plethora of disciplines, even serving as a Member of Parliament for eight years, three of which included as Secretary for Education, Science and Training.

Mr Farmer was also named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2012 and has been raising money as a runner for 30 years, serving causes like The Red Cross, Lifeline, and the Nanhi Kali Foundation for the education of Indian girls – clearly holding the same spirit as the Lions Foundation.

Another highlight set for the conference is Sari-Elle Kraemer, who raised more than $126,000 for the Lions Foundation in 2024 through her campaign to the World’s Highest Marathon at Everest Base Camp.

Ms Kraemer will also impressively be heading to the conferences from another challenge, an 85-kilometre run tracking from Licola to Traralgon tomorrow (May 1). The run is raising money and awareness in conjunction with the Licola Lions Club to support the Licola Wilderness Village – an institution Ms Kraemer volunteered at over the summer and has since become committed to ensuring its survival.

The Village is a Lions-supported camp providing support for disadvantaged children, and is just one in many of the foundation’s commitment to their charitable mission. Over the two days, she will also be joined by the Traralgon Harriers Athletics Club.

“The convention in Traralgon promises to be a milestone gathering for volunteers nationwide,” Lions Australia Chief Executive, Rob Oerlemans said.

Members will take part in multiple keynote addresses from a variety of speakers, both in and out of the movement and its partner organisations, grand finals of the Youth of the Year and Leo of the Year competitions, displays and exhibits, and official welcoming to the Lions Ride For Sight, workshops, discussion panels and ‘spotlight sessions’ focusing on Lion’s signature causes (including their world-renowned Hearing Dogs initiative).

On the Sunday, the convention will move momentarily to Kernot Hall, Morwell for the High Country themed Gala Dinner and Dance – a ticket event that sold out in advance. The conference will conclude at noon the following day, in a closing ceremony to officially hand over the annual tradition to Adelaide for the 2026 event.

Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman said the opportunity the conference brings to the region could not be understated.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of volunteers and the difference they make in each community they serve,” he said.

“We also cannot wait to showcase Latrobe City to our visitors and hope they can make the most of what our region has to offer.”

Cr Harriman is also chairman of the event this year, and had a key role in the organisation and booking of the vast activities and highlights of the upcoming event, which will include a performance from Gippsland local and The Voice runner-up, Mick Harrington.

Lions members will also continue their extravaganza past the closing ceremony, travelling onwards to the Licola Wilderness Village to take part in the annual caravan muster to enjoy the only entirely off-the-grid town in Australia.