General News
16 January, 2025
Fundraiser for Lions scrapped
The Dimboola Lions Club operation of the collection of metals, near the railway line will cease from February 1.
The club made the announcement recently, citing the closure as a result of material being removed from the area by unauthorised persons, and a lack of volunteers to oversee the site.
Another factor in the closure was the liability of the Lions Club and members if a person was injured while illegally removing items from the site.
Dimboola Lions Club secretary Jan John said although the collection contributed a "few thousand dollars" to the donation pool each year for Lions, the decision was about the management of risk.
"We've been collecting metal for a long, long time but we've had people come in and take the metal because they felt they needed it more than we did for a long time," Ms John said.
"We've also had people who have come and just spread stuff everywhere, they have brought rubbish, garden waste and house rubbish, because they consider it a dumping ground and we had to look at things, along the lines of if a person was to climb up onto the heap and falls, and hurts themselves, we are liable."
Ms John said the group was getting older, and after deliberation, it made sense to cease the operation.
Metal can now be taken to the Dimboola Transfer Station, managed by Hindmarsh Shire Council.
"It's sad - but we are looking on the bright side and concentrating on doing the bottles and the cans," Ms John said.
Dimboola Lions Club president Rod McKenzie said, it's "disappointing" to see it go."
"In December, it came to light that people were climbing over the pile," he said.
"We were worried someone would seriously injure themselves."
On the closure notice, Dimboola community members expressed frustration at the situation, while others thanked the club for the service.
"One hundred percent The Lions Club does a great job," Fiona Burlison commented.
"Just a shame it's being ruined by people doing wrong."
Another commentor added: "What a shame. I have donated a heap of metal and have stacks more to bring up to you."
Alina Tamara Rosenthal explained further, when she visited the site last week, she didn't feel comfortable as there was a lady and man who began going through their items and loading them into their own vehicle.
"My husband was baffled as this man and woman were purely stealing from the Lions Club donation which was really sad, so I can see why this has sadly been stopped."
Ms John explained there was an authorised couple who could collect items. like engines, from the stack - and they deconstruct the items, sell them and give the money to Lions, however she said she had almost daily reports of other people accessing the site to steal.
Lions will now focus on earning donations through the collection of bottles and cans, as well as newspapers.
Bottles and cans can be disposed of at the Container Deposit Vending Machine located at the depot of Dimboola Lions.
Bulk bags, batteries, cardboard, magazines and newspapers can also be dropped off at the Lions depot at 17 Hindmarsh Street, or for those not able to drop them off, contact Rod McKenzie on 0409 862 559.
