Lions Club members converged on Coonabarabran this week for the District 201N4 Convention. 

Usually held in locations where there are active Lions Clubs, this convention is different because there is no active Lions Club in Coonabarabran anymore. 

It’s a situation that Lions District Governor Geoff Freudenstein hopes might change in time. He was instrumental in recommending Coonabarabran as the venue for this year’s convention which was held at the Warrumbungles Mountain Motel from October 13 -15. 

“It’s important to come to places like this to show our support for the community. There may no longer be an active club in Coonabarabran, but there may be again one day,” Mr Freudenstein said. 

“We’ve planned to give Lions a value-for-money convention,” he said. 

The N4 Lions district is one of the largest in NSW, stretching from the Queensland-NSW border to south of Wagga Wagga. Some 45 Lions Clubs are co-located within the district, ranging in membership from six to 55 members. 

District conventions bring people and an influx of money to regional communities as delegates stay, spend, and create connections locally. 

Lions convention delegates arrived to a packed program that includes training for the Lions Eye Health Program, a meet and greet to catch up with old friends and make new ones, a flag ceremony recognising the flags of the 200 nations where Lions are active, a Partners Program visiting the Pilliga, and concluded with a heartwarming memorial service honouring Lions who have passed away during the previous 12 months. 

Tony Van Lubeck from Warren is a zone chairman within Lions District N4, supporting several clubs in the northern part of the district.  

“We had a Lions Club at Coonabarabran for a little while, before it folded. I think this week’s convention will be very good for the local community.” 

PHOTO: District Governor Geoff Freudenstein with Lion Daryl Healey in Narromine last month. Photo: Sharon Bonthuys

He said Mr Freudenstein had worked hard to organise the convention in Coonabarabran with the assistance of other clubs in the region. 

During his tenure as District Governor, Mr Freudenstein has encouraged clubs to attend the Coonabarabran convention. He has personally made several visits to the town in recent months in preparation for the event. 

“It’s the greatest opportunity you have to meet likeminded people,” Mr Freudenstein said. 

Ryan Fernando co-manages the 15-room motel where the convention will take place just outside Coonabarabran.  

The motel has only recently changed hands and the management welcomed the Lions to town as one of the first big bookings for the new business, he said. 

“Lions are coming from far and wide to attend this convention here. The [organisers] have been out here and like the ambience of the place. The Lions have also been very helpful to us in establishing contacts locally.” 

Mr Fernando says that stargazing is a popular activity for convention delegates. 

“Coonabarabran is the stargazing capital of Australia. The night sky is just brilliant. We’re hoping people will come back after the convention.” 

One thing is for certain: Coonabarabran certainly heard the Lions roar while in town this week.