Community
10 July, 2025
Steady leadership
AT a time when it is difficult to attract community volunteers to service oriented organisations the Lions Club of Terang and District, which is now in its 44th year, was delighted to welcome two new members at their annual changeover meeting at the Wheatsheaf Hotel last Friday night.
There was no change to the executive with Simon Delaney, who was happy to continue his role as president for the second year.
Long-time treasurer Chris O'Connor and secretaries Kerrin McKenzie and John Keane maintained an experienced presence in their respective roles.
Several highlights emerged from president Simon Delaney’s annual report.
We were involved in the establishment of the new volcanic stone wall and sign with solar lighting at the west entrance to the town.
In September we had the skin check van screen 114 local people, which was organised so successfully by Janet and Wayne Saunders.
We hope to repeat this screening in future years.
The highlight of our annual Fun Run and Walk was the inclusion of an all-abilities event which was embraced with enthusiasm by the locals.
This was very successfully organised by Stephen O’Connor.
We donated anther six television sets to the local hospital to replace those out of date.
Other community events we helped with our volunteers were Terang races, trots, Noorat Show, Dalvui open garden, eye health screening in local schools, barbecues at district clearing sales and the annual Gala Night.
Wayne Saunders also presented a report on our Terang Community Caravan Park, which has enjoyed another successful year and provides significant benefits to our town.
The value it brings to the local economy and community should not be underestimated.
We receive consistently positive feedback across various caravan forums with particular praise for the courtesy of our onsite caretaker and new member Graham Cook.
Mick Lee has successfully rebuilt the back fence and we are currently setting up a new tank to comply with Country Fire Authority requirements.
Treasurer Chris O’Connor inducted the two new members both with experienced practical backgrounds.
Neil Paton, who was a former engineer with Wannon Water, and Graham Cook, a former farmer and currently the very successful manager of our Lions Community Caravan Park.
Neil was sponsored by Wayne Saunders and Graham was sponsored by Simon Delaney.
Chris also presented four Lions with Long Service badges.
Those awards were made to Barry Phillips (40 years) Brian Carmody (40 years), Kerrin McKenzie (15 years) and Lee McIntosh (10 years).
Ray Worland introduced our guest speaker former Terang resident Don Bradshaw, who now resides in Peterborough.
Underpinning his Terang story was the ‘Bradshaw Legacy’ which pervades the history of Terang.
The family home was built around 1900 on the top of Mt Constitution and oversees the town, the general store, ‘Montgomery and Bradshaw’, which flourished in the early part of the century but could not compete with the emergence of the community-based Co-Operative and the main oak tree avenue through the centre of the town named appropriately after Mary Bradshaw.
Don took us for a delightful “walk down memory lane” as he recalled his early childhood, his schooling at local schools and some of the sporting greats from Terang who he encountered.
He spoke of the footy greats like Dick Wearmouth who captained two premierships for the Bloods, Bill Serong who went on to play for Collingwood, Roger Primmer, Lofty Kline and Fred Whiting – some of whom who still live in Terang.
On the cricket field it was Kevin Lee, Albert Davies and Don Cook who caught his eye.
Ben Cook Jr outdistanced all his rivals on the golf courses in the district and beyond.
Don Bradshaw’s memory for names was encyclopaedic.
As he took us for a stroll down Baynes Street he talked of the failed Co-op garage, about the Terang Express where Ray Worland did his apprenticeship and then went on to form Star Printing and the extraordinary bikes that Frank Chilton produced.
We were entranced by his local knowledge and had to agree with his summary – “Terang was a great place to live and bring up his children”.
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