Anne Andersen and Franca Lyon never set out to shatter any glass ceilings but that’s effectively what they did when they became the Minnamurra Lions Club’s first female members.

While many might ask why it took almost three decades for the club to have its first female members to join their ranks, Franca and Anne are quick to point out that the once all-male cohort have welcomed their appointment.

They chuckle when they are called pioneers, but both agree that the club needs more members, whether they are women or men, as resources are “spread thinly” and the number of people joining service organisations is dwindling.

“I don’t think there were ever battlelines drawn,” says Anne when asked about the absence of female members since the club’s inception in 1999.

“But we saw the need for new members so we thought why not give it a go. And it’s always good to have a fresh perspective, new blood.”

Franca agrees saying: “The club is always looking for more people to commit to doing the good work being carried out by volunteers, so why not use us?

"Women are an under-utilised resource that haven’t been tapped into and we often have a different way of approaching things.”

She is quick to point out the pair are “not ready to overthrow any regimes” nor are they looking to add to the list of the many good causes that the club already supports.

“That’s right,” laughs Anne. “We are just happy to help out. There may be a cause that we would like to initiate or start in time but we are spread fairly thinly and winter is always our busiest time.”

“It’s a challenge,” agrees Franca. “Because the club supports Kiama Rugby League, volunteers will work on the gate as well as running the sausage sizzle at the Seaside Markets on the same day, so volunteers are thin on the ground.”

Both women have cooked snags or stood at the gate to collect entry fees for rugby league games alongside their husbands - long-time Minnamurra Lions Club members Bill Lyon and Phil Andersen.

Now Anne and Franca will now volunteer in an official capacity, as fully-fledged members, after years of working behind the scenes to support their husbands’ involvement in the club.

Recently Lions, Australia’s largest service organisation, requested that the more than 1000 individual clubs across the nation take ownership of their own housekeeping, which included creating an online presence.

Bringing the club into the 21st century was no mean feat, considering the average age of members is around 70.

But Anne’s husband Phil - the club secretary who has signed on for his fifth year in the job - stepped up to the task creating a website for the Minnamurra Lions Club.

The club also elected a new president, with Franca’s husband Bill stepping down from the role earlier this week after two years in the position.

Bill maintains his active membership and will continue his hard work to recruit more members, including women.

“You can’t be stuck in the past, every organisation needs to evolve,” agrees Anne. “The men have been very welcoming of Franca and I to join them.”

Minnamurra Lions Club meets several times a month to volunteer for services as well as hosting an informal dinner, which includes a guest speaker, at Kiama Golf Club.

Greg Kelly, an ex diplomat from the Department of Foreign Affairs will be the club's next guest speaker.

If you are interested in becoming a member visit the club’s website.