Charter Members
Celebrating 45 Years
At the heart of the evening’s proceedings was a moving tribute to the club’s charter members, whose unwavering commitment has been the bedrock of the Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District since its inception. Sam Campbell, Richard Curtis, and Alan Giles, each recognised for an extraordinary 45 years of service, received the highest accolades. These individuals have not only witnessed the evolution of the club but have also shaped its legacy through their leadership, generosity, and steadfast community involvement.
The sense of history was palpable, as stories of the club’s early days were shared, recalling the spirit of camaraderie and the collective aspiration that brought together 33 founding members back in November 1979. The club was officially chartered just six months after its establishment, with Stephen Smedley elected as the inaugural president, and Sam, Richard, and Alan in attendance at that very first dinner—an occasion that marked the start of a tradition of friendship and service that continues today.
Recognising Lifelong Service: Awards and Milestones
The evening also honoured other long-serving members whose dedication has been vital to the club’s ongoing success:
-
Noel Zwar was celebrated for an impressive 35 years of service, reflecting a legacy of commitment and active participation in countless projects and initiatives.
-
Ian Hall, Donald Baillie, and Peter Swaffer each marked 20 years of service, their contribution spanning two decades of community engagement and volunteerism.
-
Robert Denton received honours for 10 years of dedicated involvement, exemplifying the club’s ethos of nurturing new members and supporting their growth as community leaders.
Each award recipient was presented with a chevron—a distinctive insignia to be affixed to their Lions International badge, serving as a visible reminder of their loyalty, service, and the gratitude of the entire organisation.
Personal Ceremonies and Honouring Elders
Special mention was made of Sam Campbell, who, having stepped back from his leadership roles and his famously jovial “donut cheffing,” is now enjoying retirement at the Uringa hostel. Both Sam and Noel Zwar received their awards in personal ceremonies, underscoring the club’s deep respect and affection for its senior members. Such gestures demonstrate the Lions’ tradition of honouring elders with dignity, ensuring their decades of commitment are celebrated regardless of circumstance.
The Legacy of Service
Numbers that Tell a Story
The Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District is not only remarkable for the longevity of its members but also for the sheer scale of its collective impact. The club currently boasts 39 active members who, together, have amassed over 500 years of combined service—a figure that reflects generations of selfless giving and civic pride.
Even more impressive are the recent statistics: last year alone, club members contributed an astounding 1,671 hours of community service. Whether through fundraising events, hands-on projects, or support for local families and initiatives, the club’s contributions have been both varied and vital. These numbers provide a quantifiable measure of the club’s reach, yet they only hint at the many lives touched and positive changes achieved.
Conclusion: A Tradition of Service, a Future of Promise
The awards night was more than a celebration of individual achievement; it was a reaffirmation of the core values that define the Lions Club—service, fellowship, and a commitment to making a difference. As members old and new gathered to share memories, honour milestones, and look ahead to the future, a powerful sense of purpose resonated throughout the evening.
From the early visionaries who founded the club in 1979 to the current generation of active members, the Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District stands as a beacon of hope and a model of community spirit. The flags that adorned the awards dinner were not only symbols of the international Lions movement but also reminders of the shared journey that binds members together across years, generations, and borders.
As the club prepares to induct its new executive and continue its legacy, one thing is certain: the Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District will remain a pillar of the community, dedicated to service and poised for many more years of meaningful impact.
Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District - Charter dinner November 1979
Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District
Awards night
Honouring Decades of Service and Community Spirit
The Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District gathered in grand fashion on Monday, June 23, for its much-anticipated annual awards dinner, a night marked by the vibrant display of Lions International flags as the centrepiece—a fitting symbol of unity, service, and international fellowship. The evening was not only a celebration of tireless dedication and remarkable milestones but also a testament to the enduring impact the club has made on both its members and the wider community over the decades.
Guest speaker for the evening was Kerry Stutley. Foodland proprietor.
Guest Speaker: Kerry Stutley – Foodland Tumby Bay
A Century of Service and Community Spirit
Historical Background
The building housing Tumby Bay’s Foodland has a storied past, beginning
as a flour mill constructed in 1905. After a devastating fire in 1925, the site was revived in 1926 when Brocks re-established it as a shopping precinct. Throughout the subsequent century, the business has seen only four sets of proprietors: Brocks, Wisemans, Tierneys, and currently Kerry and Buster. A tangible piece of this history endures in the form of the original flour mill’s stone wall, still visible on Mortlock Terrace.
From BI-LO to Foodland Ownership
Buster, having previously worked in the store, later moved to Adelaide where both Kerry and Buster worked at BI-LO. In 2003, they returned to Tumby Bay to purchase and run the Foodland business, continuing the legacy of community-oriented retail.
Operations and Logistics
Foodland sources the majority of its groceries through Metcash, with Smith Transport delivering at least 12 pallets three times each week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The store operates as a co-operative, part of a network of independently owned Foodland stores.
The Tumby Bay Foodland stocks an impressive 15,000 items and offers 3,000 weekly specials, which change every Wednesday. Updating these specials requires 12 man-hours to change all the corresponding labels. The store employs 65 staff members, all managed by a single payroll officer. Each department operates with its own autonomous team, a structure that Kerry praised for easing the management workload.
Shelf packing alone demands the coordinated effort of 11 staff, totaling 66 hours per week.
Butchery and Sustainability
The butchery, located across the road, employs one or two butchers and two packers. Despite challenges in sourcing skilled butchers, the department remains a standout feature of the store, renowned for the quality of its meats.
Sustainability is also a priority: all cardboard waste is baled and collected by Smith Transport for recycling, resulting in a revenue-neutral outcome for the business.
Home Delivery and Community Adaptation
Well before the COVID-19 pandemic, Foodland initiated a home delivery service, which peaked at 34 deliveries per day during the lockdown period and has since stabilized to about 4 per day. Increased competition from Woolworths deliveries and tobacco regulations—such as the 20-per-pack restriction and the rise of illicit trade—have notably impacted their business. Tobacco now represents only about 2% of turnover.
Foodland ensures that any out-of-date food is frozen and later collected and distributed to the community through the local OP Shop, minimizing waste and supporting those in need.
Community Engagement
A central part of Foodland’s ethos is giving back. Their Community Chest program collects a percentage from selected items each week, recently enabling a donation of $1,800 to the Tumby Bay and District Lions Club for distribution throughout the district.
Lions Club Support by acclamation
The Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District is appreciative of the on going
support from Foodland - Tumby Bay in so many ways that was
acknowledged by Peter Allen who provided an hilarious & heartfelt
vote of thanks which was carried with acclamation.
Looking Ahead
New Leadership and an Enduring Mission
With a proud history behind them, the Lions Club of Tumby Bay & District is preparing to turn the page to a new chapter. The induction of the executive for the 2025/2026 term is set to take place at the next dinner meeting, to be held on Monday, July 28, at the Seabreeze Hotel. This moment will mark a transition, as new leaders step forward to guide the club into the future, building on the foundation laid by their predecessors.
The club’s open invitation to prospective members and visiting Lions is a reflection of its inclusive spirit and desire to share its mission of service far and wide. New members are encouraged to join this dynamic and impactful organisation, where they will be welcomed into a tradition of fellowship, learning, and meaningful community engagement.
The changeover dinner will be held at the Seabreeze Hotel on Monday night 28 July 2025.
2025 - 2026 Executive:
President: D Pearson
1st Vice: T Horne
Secretary: A Richardson
Treasurer A Airey
Ass treasurer: W Branson
Publicity: R Kelly
Safety officer: M Fitzgerald
Past president: J Blackwell
Board members: M Baillie
Board member: R Powell