Community
13 November, 2023
Kiwanis celebrate 50 years
WHEN it comes to looking out for the needs of disadvantaged local children, the Kiwanis Club has empathy in spades.
Since its inception, this world-wide organisation has continued to do all in its power to raise the necessary funds to help disadvantaged children with an endless range of financial and emotional assistance.
The Warrnambool Kiwanis Club will this month celebrate its 50th year and the group could not be prouder.
“Kiwanis is a global organisation of volunteers who are dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time,” Warrnambool club member Sandra Mugavin said.
“Children are at the heart of each and every member of Kiwanis. Each community has different needs and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creating ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance.”
Kiwanis clubs across the globe host nearly 150,000 service projects each year.
While it may be relatively small in active numbers, and the average age of its membership is “heading up there”, the Warrnambool club remains focussed on doing all it can to help local children and their families.
“Our club was one of the earliest to be established in Australia which is something to be proud of,” long-standing member Frank Ryan said.
“We’re really just ordinary people doing pretty extraordinary things for children. I’m 92 and I’ve got some great memories of the fundraising events we’ve held over the years.”
Supporting local children and their families disadvantaged by trauma, disability and family circumstances has seen the Warrnambool group undertake countless fundraisers.
This has included supporting the ‘I Can’ project, distributing collection tins for Peter’s Project, supporting ‘Terrific Kids’ programs in local schools and the annual Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
In the club’s earlier years, members also collected glass bottles, hosted discos and seniors’ concerts, sold firewood, raised money for a rubber duck at the surf life saving club, purchased a vehicle for St John Ambulance and donated to guides, scouts and various other groups. And they have lost count how many barbecues they have ran at Bunnings.
“Who doesn’t like a snag off the barbie, especially when the money is going to the kids?” Frank said.
And when not fundraising and helping out at community groups, members enjoy various social functions including dinners, film nights, camping trips and lunches.
“We’re always looking for new members,” Ms Mugavin said.
“What community group isn’t these days? It’s certainly harder to get volunteers on board but we’d love to hear from anyone interested.”
The Warrnambool Kiwis Club will celebrate its 50th birthday with a special dinner for all past and present members later this month.
Anyone interested in attending, or wanting more information on joining the group, can call Diane on 0407 877 737 or Sandra 0407 988 292.
