Lauren leads new era for Rochester's Lions

Rochester’s Lions is seeing a changing of the guard – it’s been gradual as it should, and as welcome as it is essential.

This gradual but seismic shift has also seen a historic first in its 50-plus years of community service with the appointment of its first female president and all female executive.

With dairy farmer and mother of three Lauren Coghill (husband Neil and children Will, Shavanna and Flynn) recently taking the top job, where she has been joined by secretary Annette Chirnside and treasurer Belinda Cooper-Green.

Joining Lions was a process for the prez, she told one of her best mates, also a Lion, she couldn’t think about joining until she had finished her duties as president of the local kindy.

But in 2023, with that job done, Lauren was ready to deliver on the promise.

“It was after the 2022 flood and two busloads of locals had gone to Licola for a week – there were about 20 families and they had a few extra seats, so we went as well,” Lauren recalls.

“Our farm had some flood damage, nothing like most other people, but it was a great break for everyone, and we were lucky to fill that gap and be there with them,” she says.

“So I went to a meeting in February 2023 and became a member soon after that.”

Lauren says Rochy currently has 31 members – a healthy roll for a smaller town – and no shortage of volunteer helpers as needed.

She says as some of the club’s longer serving members have started to step back, they have been lucky to get a steady influx of new members, including recent retirees.

“We have a really good, tight group – and membership is split pretty well 50/50 men and women, and they are all there for the right reasons – the same ones which got me involved, serving out great community and we’re all proud to be part of it,” Lauren adds.

“It’s an exciting time for Rochester Lions, with new projects showing early success and offering additional roads to support the community, while still maintaining our traditional roles, such as our barbies, the youth of the year, the skin test bus, eye tests and the peace poster, to name a few,” she says.

“And we have recently taken over the can and bottle recycling operation, so it all adds up to help fund the way we go about our work.

“These things are all made possible because of the time and effort our volunteers and community supporters have given Rochy Lions and, in turn, I’d like to think Lions have given back a valuable sense of friendship, belonging and personal growth.

The other thing Lauren has had to add to her repertoire is public speaking, a lot of public speaking. 

Oh, yes, and sausages.