Community
26 June, 2026
Lions turn dollars into dinners
IT takes a village to set the table and Port Fairy led the way over the King’s Birthday weekend.
The Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club’s annual Pre-Loved Art Show and Sale this year raised over $3,000 which has been donated to Western District FoodShare.
Lions club president Gail McGregor said the 2026 show and sale was very well patronised.
“We had sold so many paintings by lunchtime Saturday we had to send a team up to our shed to restock the display boards”, Gail said.
Show organiser Anne Fry, who started the event in 2022, said this year’s event was the biggest ever.
“Moving the show to the RSL Hall was a real winner, with lots of people combining a trip to the market with a visit to the art show and sale,” she said.
“This was the fourth show and the patronage and sales have grown every year.
“The event delivers multiple benefits. People moving or downsizing often have too many paintings and artifacts for their new residence so the Lions show allows them to relocate surplus items.
“At the same time, people looking for something to brighten their home or unit can pick up quality art at very reasonable prices; and the money raised goes towards helping local organisations”.
This year, the Lions club has donated all of the proceeds from the show to Western District Food Share.
Food Share is a not-for-profit agency that provides food for, on average, 1435 adults and 428 children every week.
Executive officer Amanda Hennessy said the group aims to distribute food to those in need and encourage healthy eating.
In addition, the agency provides educational tours to the Warrnambool warehouse and to Volcano Produce at Illowa.
“Food Share rescues surplus food from local bakeries, supermarkets and producers, and also purchases bulk items from local supermarkets,” Amanda said.
“Food Share works with many other charities to distribute food across the region including to schools for food programs, community breakfasts and soup kitchens.”
Amanda said demand for food in 2026 was 25 per cent higher than last year.
In 2025, 224 ton of food was distributed by Western District Food Share with, on average, 170 emergency food hampers provided to families and individuals each week.
“Our Lions club is very pleased to be able to support such a beneficial local organization,” Gail said.
“Our ability to help Food Share is made easier by the very active and growing membership of the Port Fairy based Lions Club.”
Port Fairy Belfast Lions is already planning for next year’s Pre-Loved Art Show and Sale.
“Next autumn we will be looking for donations to ensure we have plenty of art for sale in June.”
