Lions Park

posted in: Projects

In 1989 the Club commenced their first of many projects at Batchelors Green -Lions Park. This area is adjacent to the police complex and the children’s services centre, near the traffic lights to the south of Coles/Kmart.

With assistance from Council and Club funding of $7,000.00 a double barbeque, drinking fountain, BBQ shelter, playground and some fencing were erected and installed. A total of 600 man hours were involved in this initial project over 2 years to 1990-91.

In early 1995, the project was further enhanced by Lions participation with Council and a DEET Program, enabling the erection of a new toilet block.
In 1996, the Club’s 40th year, a commemorative plaque in honour of deceased Lion Kevin Poulter was placed in the park garden adjacent to the playground equipment.
In September 2005, an application to Council to erect a BBQ shelter, double BBQ, install a Memorial Rock and rename the park “Lions Park – Batchelors Green” was made to commemorate the Lions Club 50th Anniversary in March 2006. The renaming of the park was not supported by Council.

In March 2006, to celebrate the 50th Charter Anniversary, a BBQ shelter, a double Barbeque and a Memorial Rock were erected and installed. The cost of this project was in the vicinity of $15,000. The barbeque shelter was unveiled by Lions Lady Ailsa Seargeant and named the “Peter Seargeant Memorial Barbeque Shelter”. The Memorial Rock was unveiled by past Lions members and dedicated by Bishop David Farrer to deceased Lions and Lions Ladies for their selfless service given to the community. In February of each year, a remembrance service is conducted at this Memorial Rock by the President prior to the Dinner Meeting.

In 2014, a project to provide and install a “Liberty Swing” for disabled children and adults was initiated and funding sought. Along with funds from the Lions Club of Wangaratta ($6,000), funding was sourced from Australian Lions Foundation ($6,000) and the Variety Club Car Rally ($18,000 for the Liberty Swing). Material assistance was also provided by the Rural City of Wangaratta ($10,000). This project was completed at a total cost of $40,000, and opened in July 2014 during the Variety Club Rally visit to Wangaratta.

In 2015, a second application was made to the Rural City of Wangaratta to name the Batchelors Green, “Lions Park – Batchelors Green”. This initiative was approved by the Council Place Naming Committee and Council in March 2016 .
In 2016 a drinking fountain (at a cost of $2,630) was donated to the park by the Lions ladies, following a successful High Tea fundraiser.

In 2018, security fencing of the total perimeter of the playground and barbeque area was completed at a cost of about $10,000.