Lions Clubs International was founded in the United States in 1917 by Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman. Jones asked, with regard to his colleagues: “What if these men who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?”
Jones’ personal code, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else,” reminds many Lions of the importance of community service. This sense of service lies at the heart of everything we do. Why not browse some of our recent works, read about our Bookmart and Annual Art Show, and see if you would like to become involved?
A Brief History
Upon settlement, Glenside was established as farming land and wheat grown here was awarded first prize at the Royal Show. From the 1840’s to the early 1900’s the area was known as Knoxville, and ultimately’ slaughter works were established on the land now occupied by the Glenunga International High School Ovals.
Cattle were driven from the railway yards on West Terrace in the City, along South Terrace and Glen Osmond Road to the cattle yards in Conyngham Street. It is said that as the butchers gathered at the Newmarket Hotel waiting for the trains and cattle to arrive, the local measure of beer known as the “butcher” originated. At it’s peak, the meat works supplied half of Adelaide’s fat lamb requirements and also created a strong export trade.
In the 1870’s and 80’s there was always a splendid array of horses grazing on the land as it was used for this purpose by the three major coaching companies, Rounsevell, Cobb & Co. and John Hill. At times there were as many as 1000 horses agisted in the area. One local street has an aboriginal name, “Allinga”, meaning sun, whilst most of the others were named by local residents, often in memory of their original homelands of England, Ireland and America.
A large section of the North-western corner of Glenside was a swampy wetland which has been partially recreated to encourage birdlife and natural flora as much of the original flora is now extinct. There is only one blue gum remaining in Glenside, the one at Glenside Hospital.
In the early 1900’s many start-up businesses originated in Glenside and members of the large and successful Hill family invented the famous Hill’s Hoist, together with the revolutionary “Bland Radios” business and the highly regarded Symons & Symons specialist glass merchants.
The Club is preparing to celebrate the 45th anniversary of its charter in March 2025, and maintains a strong presence in the local community. It is also a very active supporter of Australian and International Lions programs. These include the training of medical assistance dogs at the Lions Hearing Dogs Australia facility in Verdun (South Australia) and rapid responses to appeals to help victims of disasters worldwide.
The Bookmart is at 4 Kennaway St, Tusmore, corner of Barr Smith Ave and Kennaway Street. It is open from Friday through Monday each week for sales of a wide selection of second hand books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and LP records. We look forward to renewing our association with all our regular customers and many new ones. For the famous Lions Christmas Cakes and Puddings – contact the Bookmart for details and orders. Phone 08 3321738.
The Art Show is an annual event, usually held in October or November at the Burnside Ballroom. This event won the City of Burnside ‘Community Event of the Year’ award at the Australia Day Awards in January 2000 and in 2022. Proceeds from this highly recognised Art Show have in recent years been donated to various local community organisations and charities. In 2023 the beneficiary was Kickstart for Kids. In 2024 it is Second Chances, which restores hope to the families of prisoners.