New Cambridge Lions leader Brent Montgomerie believes the time is right for the club to build on its strengths.
Speaking to The News fresh from a monthly ‘Lions evergreens’ tea that celebrates the club’s old guard, Montgomerie said he never intended to become president of Cambridge Lions but was encouraged to take on the role after seeing the work the club does in the community.
Brent aged 8 – pictured here as a toy soldier for a Cambridge Primary School production – has his feet firmly planted in Cambridge. Photo: supplied
He is one of three long-standing members who were born in Cambridge. The others are Betty Busst and Graham Wiseman.
Aside from a few years spent in Tauranga, Montgomerie has spent the bulk of his life here and once back in Cambridge, he decided to join Lions.
“I hadn’t long been back and was keen to re-connect with the community and see what I could do to put something back,” he said. “I immediately found it easy to fit in. I’ve enjoyed every moment.”
The Lions Shed has been Montgomerie’s baby for a while. He’s been in charge of operations there for the past year and speaks proudly of its value to the community.
“We are the largest Lions club in New Zealand,” he said, “and our Lions Shed, Foodvan and Trash and Treasure fundraising activities allow us to give back to the community in grants and projects. For the year ending July 2024 we raised around $314,000; I think that’s the most we’ve achieved.
“Our major grants over the past year have included an all-terrain quad bike to Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust’s Sanctuary Mountain to assist in the kākāpō recovery programme and ongoing kiwi breeding programme,” he added. “This is not a first for us … we have previously supported the trust in their vision.
“We have also been involved in bridge and track work to Cambridge Resthaven to open up the Moon Springs. With assistance from the Cambridge Tree Trust, the bridge will be open later this year.”
Montgomerie said many more Lions projects were thriving, including helping those in need and supporting young achievers in their endeavours. They also support Cambridge Community House by donating furniture and other household goods when required for those in need.
“We have volunteers who help with the truck pickups, and students who give up their time to help in the shed. We also have a very strong Leos Club at Cambridge High School led by Judy Costello, and we fund adventure camps to promote future leadership.”
Cambridge Lions also offers an ongoing grant to Cambridge High School to be used at their discretion.
“That is just a snapshot of what we do,” he said. “We’re always looking for new members to help run our fundraising activities … perhaps people to give a few hours in the shed on Saturday mornings, or retired truck drivers who could help us.”
Montgomerie is keen to build on that legacy. “I have a few ideas up my sleeve regarding future projects … so watch this space.”
Cambridge Lions’ new president Brent Montgomerie was inspired to take on the club’s leadership role. Photo: Viv Posselt
