Out of an abundance of caution for safety, the Torquay Lions Club has decided to cancel its annual Australia Day concert and sausage sizzle.
It will be the second year in a row without the Taylor Park event which club president Neil Roche said was disappointing.
But the club was concerned about the potential COVID-19 impacts of hosting a large-scale social event, he said.
“Last year, COVID knocked it off our calendar of activities and it is disappointing we are unable to run the event again this year,” he said.
“Although COVID restrictions are not as strict as last year, there is a definite attitude among the community not to mix socially in large numbers.
“Usually Australia Day has been held in Taylor Park, but we have decided not to proceed this year as it would have been difficult gathering together musicians, speakers, sausage sizzlers and distributors who all combine for the event.”
The Torquay Lions will instead have their barbecue trailer and Lions Train at Elephant Walk on Sunday from 10am-2pm.
“Our sausage sizzles continue to be extremely popular with people, especially families, and our train will, no doubt, carry dozens of young passengers around the Elephant Walk path,” Mr Roche said.
He said the Lions had some fruit cakes and puddings left over from Christmas which would be sold at the trailer.
“We have limited storage space for the cakes and puddings, and we want to reduce our stock as quickly as possible,” he said.
“As well, we are looking for a few younger members in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to take over the reins from some of our older members unable to assist anymore with physical tasks.”
Lions meet twice a month at the Lions Village, Kooringa Place.
Anyone interested can chat with a Lion at the barbecue trailer or Lions Train to find out more about what Lions do locally, nationally, and internationally.
