The first Lions Club in Australia

The first Lions Club in Australia was started by William Tresise in Lismore in 1947.

As a member of Apex, he dreaded leaving his club that served his community at the upper age limit of 35. Hearing of the largest Community Service Club in the World, Lions International in Chicago USA, in 1947, Bill journeyed to USA to learn how to bring Lions Clubs to Australia and was successful in establishing the first Club in Lismore NSW.

Five years later when the first Lions Club came to Sydney in 1952, Bill Tresise was then District Governor of District 201 – the whole of Australia.

In 1957-58 Lions year, Australia was split into District A & B with William Burge-Phillips as District Governor of District 201B which then stretched from Coffs Harbour south to cover the east of Australia including Sydney.

But it didn’t stop there. Lions Clubs grew. We were up to District L in the 60’s and in 1977-78, when we were up to X, Districts were re-distributed based around States. Sydney became District 201N5 – N being New South Wales.

In 2026, out of the 18 Districts in Australia, 201N5 is the largest District in membership, but the smallest District in area – so small our name won’t fit on the map! Plus, Norfolk Island. (8kmx5km) is 1680km north east of Sydney.

In 1957-58 we were split Australia into District A & B with William Burge-Phillips as District Governor of District 201B which then stretched from Coffs Harbour south to cover the rest of Australia including Sydney.

But we didn’t stop there. Lions Clubs grew. We were up to District L in the 60’s and in 1977-78 when we were up to X, Districts were re-distributed based around States. Sydney became District 201N5 – N for New South Wales.

We are the largest District in members but we are the smallest District in area – so small our name won’t fit on the map! Plus Norfolk Is. (8kmx5km) is 1680km north east of Sydney.