Lions International will present Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell with a cheque for more than $67,000 toward the refurbishment of the Lions fountain outside Lismore City Hall tomorrow.
The fountain was constructed in 1967 to recognise Lismore as the birthplace of Lions Australia. The Lions Multiple District (Australia) District 201 Q1 club was the first Lions club established in Australia, founded by Bill Tresise in 1947.
The Lions funding being presented to Council this Saturday was originally to fund a public artwork to replace the fountain, honouring the 70-year history of Lions. However, when the proposal was announced late last year, it was met by strong community opposition.
A Lions Steering Committee and Council revisited the issue, and instead decided to return the fountain to its former glory and create a slightly altered version of the public artwork to accompany the restored monument.
Designed by local artist Scott Harrower, the new artwork will tell the rich history of Lions through a series of colourful mosaics mounted on concrete pedestals.
‘The community told us in no uncertain terms that it did not want to lose the fountain – and both the Lions and Council have listened to that plea,’ Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell said.
‘We believe the compromise is a wonderful outcome, with Lismore retaining a popular landmark and gaining a beautiful artwork that tells the inspiring story of Lions and all the good work they have done in our local community and throughout Australia.’
Lions Past District Governor John Lynch said the money raised was donated by all Lions clubs in Australia.
‘We must thank all the Lions groups across Australia that helped raise these funds, as well as the Lions Steering Committee, which has worked tirelessly to resolve this issue in a way that is beneficial to the community, to Lions and to Council,” he said.
‘We’re ecstatic with the outcome we have achieved, which retains a historic Lions monument and provides a permanent artwork celebrating the foundation of Lions in Australia.’
The budget for the fountain refurbishment and new public artwork is $127,700. This includes the contribution from Lions, $5000 in leftover funds from the Lismore City Hall upgrade and the remainder from the council.
Lismore City Council has placed the fountain on its assets register and has budgeted $5000 per annum for its maintenance to ensure no ongoing commitment from Lions is necessary. Work on the fountain will be complete by spring and the artwork will be installed by February 2017.
