Glenside Lions Spark $100,000 Drought Relief for Eyre Peninsula Farmers

A call to action from Glenside Lions Club has led to a $100,000 drought relief effort supporting farmers on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

The initiative began in early June 2025, when Glenside Lions Secretary Malcolm Schluter was moved by a radio segment highlighting the worsening conditions faced by West Coast farmers.

‘These are the salt of the earth people,’ Malcolm said, ‘and they’re facing a national disaster.’ His words prompted immediate and unanimous support from fellow club members.

The Glenside Lions donated $30,000 to purchase stock feed from Cummins Mill, supplying 38 farmers with one tonne of sheep pellets each. Inspired by their actions, the Richmond Lions Club soon matched the contribution with the Lions Clubs International Foundation contributing a further $40,000 - bringing the total to $100,000 and extending support to 101 drought-affected farmers.

To reinforce their support, several Glenside members travelled to Streaky Bay, including Treasurer Hayden Edwards, Fat Farmers CEO and Glenside member Michael Williams, and incoming President Steve Ryan, accompanied by his wife Gill and their dog Archie.

While a $36 million federal drought relief package was announced around the same time, the Glenside Lions' swift and personal response showed the strength of local action and the enduring spirit of community.

Left to right: Hayden Edwards (Glenside lions Treasurer) Michael Williams (Glenside Lion member and CEO of Fat Farmers) and Steve Ryan (Glenside Lions President as of 25 June 2025) and Archie.

$100,000 worth of sheep pellets donated by the Lions