Leos offer Country Kids another path

Gus van Hart

Cohuna Lions stalwart Lee Walkington says country kids who do not want to play football or netball can find a home at Leos.

After six years as Victorian state Leo coordinator, Ms Walkington has helped support and grow Leo clubs across Victoria, while continuing to work with young people in Cohuna, Barham and the wider district.

Leos are the youth arm of Lions, giving young people a chance to volunteer, build confidence and take on community projects.

Ms Walkington said the clubs were especially important in small towns, where young people could sometimes feel left out if sport was not their thing.

“As in most country towns, if you don’t play netball or football, you really mightn’t fit so well,” Ms Walkington said.

“Whereas in Leos, it gives you the opportunity to feel connected and to feel a part of your community.”

Ms Walkington said she was “extremely proud” when first asked to take on the statewide role six years ago, although she admitted she was not sure she was ready for it.

“I didn’t think I was up for it, to tell you the truth, and I guess I’ve grown into the role,” she said.

“I’ve had the absolute privilege of meeting young people right across Victoria and Australia through Leos.”

One of her proudest achievements had been the formation of the Victorian Leo Council this year, a project she had been working towards since taking on the role.

The council gives young Leos a say in the future of the movement, rather than having adults make decisions for them.

“There’s a saying, ‘not about me without me’, and that means we don’t make rules and organise things without their input,” Ms Walkington said.

“That’s probably the biggest thing about the council, because they are Leos working to make things work for Leos, not us Lions dictating what they need to do.”

The council helped organise the state Leo final in Melbourne, where about 30 Leos from across Victoria took part.

Later that day, several hundred Lions and Leos joined forces on an Eat Up Australia project, making 4000 toasties in two hours.

Ms Walkington said new Leo clubs only happened when local people were prepared to put their hand up.

The Barham Leo Club, which started last year, was one example.

“Barham, and the development of any club, isn’t because of me,” she said.

“I’m just a conduit to get the information people need or the help in.”

Ms Walkington was also preparing to travel to Carisbrook on Saturday for the charter of a new Leo club, which had attracted 20 young members in two months.

She said it showed young people still wanted to be involved when they were given the chance.

“If we don’t give youth the opportunity to develop community skills and an understanding of needs in the community, we’re not going to have volunteer groups in the future,” she said.

Ms Walkington will also continue supporting Leos across Cohuna and the district, while stepping into the presidency of Cohuna Lions.

“If we don’t look after the youth in our communities, they’re not going to be there,” she said.

“We really need to make the effort and look to see where we fit them into our lives and into the community.”