2017

Centenary of Lions Clubs International

First Day Cover

Release date: 7 June 2017

In 2017, the largest community service organisation in the world, Lions Clubs International, celebrates its centenary. Australia Post has issued a stamp in acknowledgement of this important milestone.

Lions Club International is a secular and politically non-aligned community service organisation of volunteers, who raise funds to meet local, national and international humanitarian needs. Focus areas include disaster and hunger relief, support for the environment, medical research, and support for youth and older people. There are around 1.4 million members and 46,000 clubs across the world.

In Australia, Lions clubs have been in force for 70 years, with the first club established in Lismore, New South Wales, in 1947. Lions Clubs Australia has worked tirelessly in the areas of disaster and emergency relief, medical research (including involvement in the development of the bionic ear and cervical cancer vaccine, as well as research into diabetes and childhood cancer) and community service (including drug education programs, programs for the visually impaired and children with cerebral palsy, as well as raising funds towards local parks, community centres and more).

The stamp

The stamp was designed by Lynda Warner. The design combines the Lions Clubs International logo with the figure “100”, part of which incorporates a pair of hands. The hands look as if they are cradling the world – a powerful symbol of the contribution made by this worldwide service organisation and also a reference to the Lions saying that one more member means “two more hands” to help the community.