"Where there's a need, there's a Lion."
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organisation — 1.4 million members across 49,000 clubs in over 200 countries. In Australia, Lions has been making a difference for over 75 years. In District 201N1, 60 clubs serve communities across northern and northeastern New South Wales every week.
Lions by the numbers
What Lions stands for
Open to everyone
Membership is open to all people of good standing in the community — whatever your background, age, or interest.
Service first
Clubs may provide direct service or raise funds for their community. Every club sets its own projects based on local needs.
100% to the cause
Every dollar donated by the public goes directly to the project it was intended for. Not one cent is taken for operating costs.
Our global causes
Lions clubs align with Lions International's eight global causes — the areas where our collective effort makes the greatest impact:
Youth
Vision
Hunger
Humanitarian
The Environment
Disaster Relief
Diabetes
Childhood CancerReady to find your club?
Search for a Lions club in your town or suburb — most clubs welcome visitors before you commit to joining.
Common questions
- How do I join? Start by reaching out to your local Lions club. Use our Find a Club tool to locate the nearest one. Attend a couple of meetings to meet the members and learn about the club's work — there's no pressure to commit straight away. If it's a good fit, you'll receive an invitation to join.
- What does a Lions club actually do? Every club is different. Clubs follow the Lions Code of Ethics and are part of an international organisation, but each sets its own programmes. They might support national or district projects, or run entirely their own local initiatives — from food drives and eye health clinics to fundraising events and youth programs. Ask club members what they're passionate about — chances are you'll find something that resonates.
- How much time does it take? Lions is a community service organisation with a motto of "making things happen." We ask members to participate in meetings and service activities, but we understand that family and work come first. Trading a couple of hours a week or fortnight for community service is a genuinely rewarding use of time.
- Why do members pay dues if it's voluntary service? Running any organisation has costs — training, insurance, promotional materials, and the democratic processes that keep Lions accountable at every level. Dues cover these operational costs so that when the public donates to a Lions fundraiser, 100% goes to the cause. This is one of the foundations of Lions' strong reputation in the community.
- Are there different types of Lions clubs? Absolutely. Beyond traditional clubs, Lions has Leo clubs for young people, virtual clubs for those who can't attend in person, ethnic clubs, special interest clubs, and more. District 201N1's 60 clubs span coastal cities, regional towns, and rural communities — there's likely a club near you that fits your lifestyle.
- How do I contact my local club? Use the Find a Club tool to search by town, browse the District Clubs list, or contact the district and we'll connect you with the right club.