Lions club members from around the Eastern Bay are preparing to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of a special place this weekend – the Lions Hut in Te Urewera.

Te Urewera Education Centre, commonly known as the Lion’s Hut, came about through a collaborative effort between Tūhoe and the Whakatāne Lions Club.

Following a handshake agreement, land was gifted for the project, and construction began in 1966 with the vision being to create an education centre where school children could experience local culture, the outdoors, and study native flora and fauna.

The hut was opened on June 26 by the Whakatāne Lions at an idyllic site at Ngutuoha in the Waimana Valley.

Over the years, the combined Lions clubs of the Eastern Bay and volunteers have maintained and developed the centre which has a total floor area of 290 square metres and can provide accommodation for 40 people in two bunk rooms.

It was upgraded in 2002 with a large extension that included the addition of a classroom and teacher’s room.

Further upgrading has included the installation of solar-power LED lighting and a large three-door under bench refrigerator in the kitchen.

With a fully equipped commercial-style kitchen, and the bush on its doorstep, the facility is particularly well suited to school groups, with more than 10 schools visiting each year.

Groups use the facility for bushcraft, river crossing techniques, safe firearm instruction, natural history, cultural appreciation and environmental education.

The Lions Hut also serves as a search and rescue base when the need arises and is popular for weddings, corporate retreats, community functions and family get togethers.

Lions representative Ray Walker, who helps manage and maintain the Lions Hut, is eager to see more school groups make use of the facility.

“We encourage schools to use the facility because it provides a fantastic local experience right on our doorstep,” he said.

“It gives children the opportunity to appreciate what New Zealand has to offer before travelling overseas. I often bring my grandkids back here and they love it. We also have many returning visitors who first came here as school children,” said Walker.

The Lions Hut holds a special place in the memories of many people who have grown up in the Eastern Bay and on Saturday, the Lions are hosting a reunion at the hut with a focus on reconnecting and celebrating togetherness. Everyone is welcome to attend with past and present visitors, supporters, committee members and their families all invited.

The formal celebration from 11am to 3pm will include speeches and presentations, a planting and dedication in memory of past members, historical photos and displays, food and refreshments and an anniversary cake cutting

An informal overnight celebration and shared meal will follow.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP for catering purposes to [email protected].

History of the Lions Club in the Eastern Bay

The Lions Club of Whakatāne was established on November 25, 1961, with 48 members.

It its early years, the club worked alongside the borough council to establish and maintain local parks and reserves. Members also organised annual citrus drives, distributing fruit to the hospital and Paddy’s Market to raise funds for medical equipment for St John Ambulance.

From Whakatāne, the Lions movement expanded throughout the Eastern Bay, with branches established in Tāneatua, Edgecumbe, Ōpōtiki, and Ōhope Beach.

Over time, the organisation has faced challenges attracting new members, resulting in the closure of several branches with Kopeopeo, Tāneatua, and Edgecumbe the only active Lions chapters remaining in the region.

Membership decline continues to be a concern and the clubs would love to welcome new members.