The Bute and Districts Lions Club has been recognised for the outstanding support it provides to the local community, being named as one of three regional South Australian organisations to receive donations from leading agriculture network, Viterra.
The Club, which is due to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, was nominated to receive a $3000 donation through Viterra’s postharvest survey competition.
Club President, Mark Davidson says the community driven group works to provide support for various organisations through fundraising and other initiatives.
“We get together for working bees, host events to fundraise for various organisations and provide infrastructure support to the town. This is only made possible by our members volunteering their time,” Mark says.
“Being a part of the Bute and Districts Lions Club is not just about providing support for some great causes, but also just as important for our member’s mental health to be able to get together and enjoy each other’s company.”
Kulpara grower, Nick Daniel nominated the club to receive the donation as part of Viterra’s postharvest survey competition, highlighting the club’s incredible fundraising efforts to support various charities including the RFDS, CFS, Variety Children’s Charity, as well as local cancer care services.
Viterra Central region Operations Manager, Jack Tansley says the competition is run through Viterra’s postharvest survey, where feedback gained helps the company plan for future harvests.
“This survey allows us to evaluate our operations and ensure we’re providing a service which meets the needs of growers and carriers,” Jack says.
“It’s also a great way for us to further support the local communities we operate in on behalf of our customers, by giving them the opportunity to win a donation to a group of their choice.”
Other Viterra initiatives to benefit the Bute and Yorke Peninsula community include the Bute silo art project, where Viterra’s silo has provided a canvas for a large-scale mural promoting ongoing tourism to the region, and Viterra’s Country connect programme in partnership with the Adelaide Football Club.
“Together with the Crows we hosted our second Country connect event at Bute last year, bringing past and current AFL and AFLW players to the Yorke Peninsula,” Jack says.
“It was a great weekend, with players and Viterra employees supporting the Bute Football Club’s match day events, followed by a coaching clinic where around 200 juniors took part.”
Viterra also contributes to regional South Australia as a major employer, with the majority of its 1000 permanent and ongoing employees based regionally, as well as boosting the SA economy through purchasing grain from local growers and investing in its supply chain, last season adding $1.2+ billion to the state.
Other rural organisations to receive a $3000 donation after this year’s postharvest survey competition include the Pinnaroo Ambulance Service, and the Kimba Area School.
