Long-serving volunteer Jill Griffiths honoured with surprise life membership

By Faith Macale

Oct 22, 2024

Lions past district governor Linda Johns recently presented Lion Jill Griffiths (left) with the Lions Clubs International Life Membership award. Photo: Supplied

Most people who volunteer in the community don’t expect something in return, instead finding joy with the friends they have made in community groups and events.

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Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn member Jill Griffiths was definitely surprised when, at a recent dinner meeting, she was recognised for her long service to the club.

Ms Griffiths, who is the longest serving member of the Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn, was awarded the Lions Clubs International Life Membership Award.

“It was a surprise,” she said.

“I didn’t know. It was just announced at a meeting.

“I was really pleased to receive it.

“I didn’t know anything about it, but they were telling me at the meeting the other night that they’ve been organising it for a while.”

Ms Griffiths has been a part of the Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn for over 32 years, and she’s still volunteering.

“I was one of the original members of the start of the Lions Club in 1992,” she said.

“I just help out with things that they’re doing, organise functions.

“I did more when I was younger than what I do now.”

Ms Griffiths has participated in many aspects of Lions such as catering, sausage sizzles, markets, tin rattles, Australia Day events, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father's Day gifts, and has worked for the community with Meals On Wheels.

She was also involved in the planning of the District Convention 1999, held in Seymour.

“It (volunteering) is an interest, for one,” Ms Griffiths said.

“I just like doing it. I like helping people.

“I was a radiographer, so I’ve had people’s health in my mind.

“Now that I’m older, I don’t get to do as much catering because I’m on a walker.

“I’ve got a disability walking, so it’s a bit harder to do anything, but they’ve accepted things, like I can cook for events, and I do my best to do that.”

Originally from Melbourne, Ms Griffiths moved to Seymour when she got married.

“I needed to make friends and put myself into the community,” she said.

“It was good because I came up leaving a lot of my friends in Melbourne.

“I played tennis for years several times a week and started to get a friendship going with different people, different organisations.

“I've made lots of friends in the Lions and in Seymour, so it’s an advantage keeping up those friendships.”

The Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn congratulated Ms Griffiths and said it was a well-deserved award for all her years of service.