WANDONG-Wallan Lions Club members joined Mitchell Shire Council representatives and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes to celebrate the official opening of outdoor exercise equipment in Kilmore this month.
The $196,872 project to build outdoor gyms at Kilmore’s Hudson Park and Wallan’s Hadfield Park was funded with $142,301 from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund in 2018-19, $29,571 from Mitchell Shire Council and $25,000 from Wandong-Wallan Lions Club.
The project saw both towns receive all-ability outdoor fitness equipment, with an aim of promoting physical activity and fostering social connection.
The Kilmore equipment features three pods with multiple exercise stations, including a leg press, chest press, box press, pull down and pull up bars, Roman rings, leg raises and body dips. It also includes a soft rubber surface surrounded by a concrete apron.
Wandong-Wallan Lions Club secretary Tania Hall said the club was thrilled the equipment was open to the public.
“We wanted something for the local community and local area to get active,” she said.
“You see outdoor gyms around in a lot of other places, and we thought it would be good to have one here as well, which it has been.
“When people see us out doing the barbecues or other fundraisers, this gives us something to show what the funds go towards.”
Ms Symes said the project was a ‘great collaboration’ between the government, council and Lions club.
“To have $25,000 from the Wandong-Wallan Lions Club is a big amount of money from a small community group,” she said.
“It’s obviously a big priority that they identified. I live in Broadford, but every time I happen to be down here with my kids I see someone on it, and Lions members have told me that they see it really being used.
“In terms of community benefit, ensuring people are out and about and keeping healthy and active, I think it’s a great outcome.”
Wandong-Wallan Lions Club member Clyde Riley encouraged people to get involved with Lions.
“There’s more to Lions than just doing barbecues. The philosophy of Lions is that you raise money for the community,” he said.
“This will be our 47th year and we’re a bit short of members at the moment. We’re open to community-minded people who would like to come and have a go.”
Club president Marilyn Moore said joining Lions was a fulfilling experience.
“It’s a good way of making friends in the area, and you learn what’s going on in the area as well,” she said.
“With any major disasters, Lions International will actually step in and help. When we had the bushfires we got grants to help people who were affected. It goes a long way.”
