Kiama and Minnamurra Lions have taken matters into their own hands and “slashed” red tape and the grass to help bring the circa 1850s former police residence on Terralong Street back to its former glory.  

With the local heritage listed residence in a rundown state, the clubs used their initiative to help make a difference and help ease public concern with their motto “where there is a need there is a Lion” and cut the metre-high grass.

“There were seven of us here today and everyone chipped in,” Lions member Jim Webb said.

“A lot of people have been talking about how terrible this place is and looks over the last couple of months, with people asking why somebody doesn’t do something about it.”

But it wasn’t as simple as opening the gate and getting to work, there was approval required from NSW Planning and Development.

“We had to get permission to walk through the grounds and also from the NSW Police to park the trailer out the back,” he said.

“So, it is a fair amount of toing and froing to get today underway, but as you can see things need to be fixed.

“Overall, it was a lot better than it was going to be – we didn’t find any red-bellied black snakes in the long grass!”

Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Adell Hyslop told The Bugle that she was thankful for the effort the Lions went to and hopes this leads to further action.

“We are grateful for the further support of the Lions club to reach out and undertake the project,” Hyslop said. 

“We are hoping that there will be upgrades through Property and Development NSW in regard to restoring the building to some former capacity.”

At the Kiama Council’s November meeting, Councillor Matt Brown put forward a Notice of Motion to the meeting requesting that the Kiama Council write to Kiama MP Katelin McInerney.

Webb explained it is part of the Lions Club’s ethos to help Kiama maintain a presentable image running into the tourist season.

“We try and make sure that the way Kiama is presented, like the grass and the parks, looks better this time of year,” he said.