“The Werribee Lions Canopy Portal pilot project represents far more than a digital platform. It is an opportunity for the Lions Club of Werribee and it’s Eco Club to lead one of the most visible and scalable community-driven environmental initiatives within Lions Australia, ” said Tim Langdon, Publisher of Eco Voice and Treasurer of the Lions Club of Werribee.

“Supported at Club level, by our President Muthu Pannirselvam, and Past President Raymond Loh, as well as Club members, this is an exciting opportunity for our Club, Community, and District,” said Tim.

By partnering with Canopy Accelerator Co-operative Limited, the Lions Club of Werribee becomes the foundation pilot club for a nationally scalable model aligned with the Category “A” Lions Green Canopy Project – targeting 1 million trees planted by 2027 and 500,000 trees annually thereafter.

At its core, the proposal delivers a simple but powerful concept:

• Every tree purchased through the portal creates measurable environmental impact.
• Every contribution is transparently credited to donors, clubs, Districts and national totals.
• Every volunteer planting event strengthens Lions’ community leadership and public visibility.
• Every successful local project becomes a blueprint for District and national expansion.

The brainchild of Walter Villagonzalo OAM, the Werribee Lions Canopy Portal pilot provides Werribee Lions with a professional digital ecosystem that can:

• attract community participation,
• engage sponsors and supporters,
• coordinate volunteer planting programs,
• track measurable outcomes,
• and showcase Lions leadership in sustainability and regeneration.

Importantly, the platform is designed to minimise risk and maximise speed to launch. Rather than building from scratch, the portal leverages CACL’s proven MyTree platform, reducing development complexity while enabling  branding, reporting and governance.

The proposed funding model is easy for the community to understand and easy for clubs to promote. It transforms tree planting into a scalable participation model where:

• supporters fund outcomes,
• Lions volunteers deliver impact,
• and clubs share in the surplus generated through planting activities.

This creates a sustainable cycle of environmental action, community engagement and club fundraising potential.

The proposal also recognises that modern environmental initiatives require more than operational capability, they require visibility and trust. Through alignment with the sustainability media platform Eco Voice, the Werribee Lions Canopy Portal gains access to national sustainability storytelling, sponsor visibility and credibility within the broader ESG and environmental sector.

For the Lions Club of Werribee, this is an opportunity to:

• position itself as a leader in environmental community service,
• build stronger engagement with members and volunteers,
• attract new partnerships and sponsors,
• create a repeatable long-term fundraising and impact model,
• and leave a measurable environmental legacy for future generations.

Most importantly, this transforms tree planting from isolated local activity into a coordinated national movement under the Lions banner.

The Werribee pilot is therefore not simply a local project. It is the first step toward establishing a nationally recognised Lions-led regeneration platform capable of delivering enduring environmental, social and community outcomes across Australia.

The Lions Club of Werribee’s Eco Club is looking for new members, particularly those with a GREEN THUMB!

Where Service Meets Sustainability

The Werribee Lions Eco Club was established as a way for Lions clubs to respond meaningfully to environmental challenges at a local level. Rather than demanding perfection, the Eco Club model recognises sustainability as a journey one built through practical action, learning, and steady improvement.

Each Eco Club operates under the values of Lions International while focusing its energy on sustainability initiatives that deliver real community benefit. From tree planting and habitat restoration to waste reduction and recycling, Eco Clubs allow members to align traditional service with modern environmental responsibility.

Lions Club of Werribee 

District 201V2

Victoria, Australia.

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/werribeelionsclub/

What Lions is all about

Fellowship, good times, meeting people, building friendships, service to the community, learning new skills, leadership and personal development – these are just some of the benefits of being a member of the largest service club in the world, Lions Clubs International.

The Club extends an invitation to all to attend one of our dinner meetings as our guest, and without obligation. If you are interested in being a member of Lions Club, the world’s largest and most active service organisation, click on Join Lions for further details. To join the Werribee Lions Club contact the Club’s Secretary.

Lions Clubs offer people the opportunity to give something back to their communities, whilst having fun at the same time. We hope you find the experience rewarding and challenging.

For information regarding Lions Clubs International click on Fact Sheet to download a copy.

The Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Lions Den, 35 Ballan Road Werribee and on the third Wednesday of each month at the Hoppers Club, Pannam Drive Hoppers Crossing at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start.

Inquiries can be made by contacting the Club Secretary by email at;

werribee.vic@lions.org.au

or by post to;

PO Box 163
Werribee, Victoria 3030
Australia.

If you would like to make a Donation in support of the Lions Club’s Welfare Programs please click on the PayPal Button on our website.

Thank you for your generous support.

INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.

Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au

Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!