Some serious fundraising to enable a prostate cancer testing machine to be installed at Orange hospital has been named as the club’s main achievement in the past year.
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Outgoing president of the club Norm Bembrick said the club’s efforts in raising $100,000 toward buying the machine was the highlight of his one year term.
Mr Bembrick said it had been matched by the state government in a $108,000 grant that would enable the machine to be purchased.
He handed over the reins to Steve Brakenridge at a ceremony at Duntryleague on Saturday night.
“Our biggest achievement was to raise money for the prostate cancer machine for the hospital,” he said.
Mr Bembrick said rideathons, a walkathon and the club’s core fundraising, catering at local events, were among their main methods.
He said the changeover brought an end to his fourth term as president stretching over about 40 years as a Lions club member.
The new president said it would be his second term in charge after being president about 20 years ago.
Mr Brakenridge said while the club supported Lions’ national and international efforts there was room to do more for Orange.
“I think we want to do more in the local community,” he said.
“We’d probably like to something with the hospital again.”
He said they would likely seek expressions of interest to find a worthy cause.
However, he said the main priority was to ensure the prostate cancer machine was installed.
Mr Brakenridge said they needed to have funding available if there were any issues with the installation.
And he said they would look to purchase spare parts to ensure the machine was constantly available.
Mr Brakenridge said the club had 23-24 active members which was fewer than when he was last in charge.
“We have less people but more committed people [now],” he said.
“I think it’s fair with all service clubs, Lions and Rotary, it’s harder to attract and keep people now.
“Life’s at a different pace.
“When you look at it we’re just not attracting the younger generations, we’re maybe seen as an old men’s club, it’s something we’ve got to work on.
“We still need to try and encourage that 25-40 [years] group.”
He said the club had five active women members who brought an extra dimension.
