When The Lions Club of Blackall Range rolled out their outdoor cinema setup for a free community movie night on Saturday 13th September at Mapleton Hall grounds on Obi Obi Road, they may not have drawn the crowds they hoped for, but what unfolded was a reminder of why community events matter.
Forty attendees braved AFL and NRL finals weekend, cold weather, and widespread community illness to gather for an evening that demonstrated the Lions Club’s core mission of bringing people together and strengthening community bonds.
A Night of Connection and fun
Children played on the oval before settling in for the main feature at 5 pm. Parents and Lions members connected over the club’s free food offerings, which included a sausage sizzle with sliders, sausages, and chicken skewers, along with popcorn and ice creams.
“The overall atmosphere was full of fun, laughter and mixing of young and old,” said Robyn Sellman, 2nd Vice President of The Lions Club of Blackall Range. “Everyone seemed to enjoy the night, and it was lovely to see the positive interactions between community families and our Lions Group.”
The evening’s film selection, “Runt”, proved particularly apt for the family audience. The 2024 Australian comedy-drama family film, directed by John Sheedy and based on Craig Silvey’s 2022 novel, tells the tale of eleven-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend Runt, an adopted stray dog with remarkable abilities.
Its themes of community support, strong family bonds, and the importance of believing in yourself resonated perfectly with the spirit of the event. The Lions team previewed the film after a recommendation from their president, ensuring its suitability for all ages.
Drawing Families from Further Afield
Families travelled from beyond the immediate area, with one coming from Peachester after seeing the Facebook advertisement and another from Nambour. This marked the club’s second outdoor cinema event, following a successful screening two years ago that drew approximately 100 attendees in warmer weather. The event was sponsored by Roger Loughnan Real Estate, demonstrating the broader business community’s support for Lions Club initiatives.
Not Just Entertainment But Building Community
Unlike many Lions Club activities, the primary goal of this movie night was not to fundraise. “The main goal…was to provide a fun activity for community families to be involved in along with building relationships with others,” Robyn stated.
The club’s regular fundraising efforts support a variety of community projects, including donating equipment to Sunshine Coast Hospital, purchasing a washing machine for a local community centre, and providing food and toiletries to local services.
“Events and community work where Lions fundraise are many and varied. The proceeds from fundraising go straight back into the community via schools, hospitals or other community projects,” Robyn explained.
Lessons Learnt and Future Plans
Organisers noted that timing conflicts with major sporting finals, unseasonably cold weather, and community illness contributed to the lower turnout. The Lions had hoped for about 100 attendees but were pleased with the 40 who came. “It was evident that the movie night could be a success as the families who attended thought it was a fun night with plenty of food and drinks available,” Robyn said.
The club is planning another outdoor movie night for warmer weather, with expanded advertising to reach a broader audience.
Getting Involved
The Blackall Range Lions Club welcomes new members. Business meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at Montville Hall (6:00 pm for a 6:30 pm start), and dinner meetings are held on the fourth Thursday at various local venues. Prospective members are welcome to attend either meeting.
The club operates under the Lions international mission to empower clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants.
The movie night, despite lower attendance than hoped, achieved its primary objective of bringing community members together. The club’s next outdoor cinema event will build on these foundations, with the aim of creating stronger community connections.
Lions Club of Blackall Range Facebook Page
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