Members and past members,
 
Our member and current President/Treasurer, Lion Wayne Thomas, passed away peacefully this morning, 13 May 2026.
 
Wayne was a member of our Club from 2001 and previously a member of Maryborough and Castlemaine Lions Clubs in Victoria.
 
Wayne served as President of our Club from 2021 to date and was Zone Chairman from 2024-2025. 
 
Wayne held several roles during his time in Lions and will be missed by past and current members and the wider Ballina Community.
 
I will advise funeral/memorial details as soon as I am made aware.

Members and past members,
 
Very sad news. I’ve just heard from Kathlyn that her sister, Lion Libby McCarthy passed away peacefully last night. (10th May 2026)
 
I’m certain you all join with me in extending deepest condolences to Kathlyn.
 
Libby was a wonderful person with a very loving heart and a great sense of humour. She was also a very committed Lion and when enjoying better health was very involved with our activities.
 
Libby was our friend and we will dearly miss her.
 
When known I’ll advise you of the funeral arrangements. In the meantime, should you wish to contact Kathlyn please feel free to do so. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0418 545 308.
 
In Remembrance of Libby.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Life Member Lion Doug Hardgrave OAM last Sunday morning 26 April.

Doug was a highly dedicated and Past President of the Brisbane Macgregor Lions Club for over 50 years.

The funeral details:

11am, Wednesday 6 May - George Hartnett Funeral Home 

42 Gaza Road, Holland Park West

 

Dear Lions members, partners and friends
It is with great sadness that I advise Lion Reg Laurie died today, 2 May, after a long illness at 11:20 am.
He had been in palliative care for the past week, and prior to that, his health had been deteriorating for some time.
Reg, LCI Member number 439878,  joined Ballina Lions on 1 May 2001 and served as a member of Ballina Lions Club for exactly 25 years. 
We remember well his funny jokes, his active involvement as Lion Tamer, Property Officer and of course his involvement with all our club projects such as BBQ's, Recycling, Fun Runs and cakes.
Reg is a Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient awarded at the 2018 Club Changeover Dinner, which also celebrated 65 years of service to the community.
He is survived by Generisa, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies.
I will organise, through Ballina Shire Council, a Memorial plaque to be erected on the Ballina Lions Memorial Wall in Missingham Memorial Park. This will be installed together with Lion John Grant, who died 25 February 2026, at a date to be announced when the plaques are prepared and ready for installation.
He will be sorely missed.

It is with deep regret that I advise the passing of Life Member Lion John Grant last night (24 February).

John joined Lions Clubs in January 1985 and transferred to Ballina Lions in mid 1990's. He will be missed enormously.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Lion Lionel Frame on the 21 February. 

Lionel was the longest serving member of Casino having served our community for 41 years, he had served on District cabinet and the Northern Rivers Trust for many years and was an avid collector of pins.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Lion Michael Brown in the early hours of Sunday 28 December. We remember Michael  for his outstanding service to Lions and to his community. 

Michael served as a Director this year and Cake Chairperson for a number of years. He served in Lions for more than 20 years, and his dedication was exemplified by him continuing to sell Lions cakes even from his hospital bed. At our Changeover in July, Michael was awarded the Ian M Stockdale Humanitarian Award in recognition of his commitment to humanitarian services.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Gena and Michael’s family during this difficult time.

Date: Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Time: 2pm
Location: St Paul’s Anglican Church, 4 Cross Street, Cleveland

It is with sad news that we inform our members that PDG Brian Gent OAM (1977-78) passed away yesterday 23/12/25. Brian was the First DG for the newly formed Q District in 1977. He was a member of Surfers Paradise and later moved to the Lions Club of Southport, where he served until 2016.

PDG Brian and Noreen celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last year.

PDG Brian was awarded an OAM in 2017 for service to the community of the Gold Coast.

PDG Brian played an important role in the Lions Haven for the Aged 

https://www.lions201q1.org.au/images/newsletters/news-2020-21/201Q1-2020-08_August.pdf (See page 9)

Our thoughts and gratitude are with Brian's Family for his years of service to Lions and his community.

Members and past members,
 
It is with great sadness that I advise that our dear member Lion Charmian Cornell passed away yesterday.
She has been involved in Lions for decades supporting her husband, PDG Tony Cornell and continuing to support our club after his passing.
 
I will advise any details regarding a funeral as soon as I get them.

I am advising of the sudden passing of our Club Treasurer, Lion Christine de Carteret.  She was ill last Friday and went to the hospital and passed away on 23 August 2025.  We are in touch with the family and have been assisting them. Our Club will be holding a small gathering at the Den on a date to be announced.  She was a much-loved member of our Club and championed our push to support Chappies in the schools.

Memorial Service
The de Carteret family and the PBC Lions Club will be holding a memorial for Christine at the Den on Tuesday, 9th September, Murtha Drive, Elanora at 12noon – 2.30pm   The Auxiliary have offered to cater for the event.  Could I ask that Lions coordinate with Joy Mattingley for the catering on 0407 843 858.  

The Funeral for Lion Ross Bussell is to be held on Friday 5th September 2025 - 11am, at the Anglican Church, Albert St, Moree NSW.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Lion Jean McNeill is to be held on Tuesday 12th August 2025 - 12pm midday at the Paradise Point Uniting Church, 126 Paradise Parade Paradise Point QLD 4216