About Us
About Us
Our story
The Foundation’s mission is to; develop, promote and educate the community through health and wellbeing initiatives and to encourage clubs and individual Lions to promote these initiatives within the community.
For over 30 years we had been known as the Australian Lions Drug Awareness Foundation, but in 2021 in order to reflect the diverse topics areas we now covered to help build happy, healthy resilient communities, our name was changed to Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation.
A new strategic plan is currently being developed and we look forward to releasing this soon.
We are working to create a happier, healthier and safer community.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the Foundation is to promote awareness and prevention of abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
The objectives of the Foundation are to:-
- Promote awareness of alcohol and other drug abuse especially the factors predisposing it;
- Develop education and prevention activities, especially in local communities;
- Participate in campaigns in line with the aims of the Foundation;
- Actively promote and support counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
ALWF Secretary David McKenzie and Chairman David Daniels promoting the ALWF project www.tuneinnoutout.com at a youth health conference
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A Lions Foundation
The Foundation, which is totally owned and controlled by those Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs of Multiple District 201 who have become constituent members, is run by a Board of Directors elected by the members. Each year at the Multiple District Convention a number of these directors come up for re-election. The Foundation has also been granted the use of the Lion Badge by Lions Clubs International.
Working throughout community
Our Projects
Tune In Not Out
A youth health portal
LIONS QUEST
School based social and emotion program
FREEDOM TO FEEL FANTASTIC
A body image and self esteem campaign
OUR PROJECTS
A curricum based drug policy program
RESOURCES SHOP
Visit our online resources shop
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Supporting communities
Our Ambassador
Andrew Fuller
Andrew has recently been described as an ”interesting mixture of Billy Connolly, Tim Winton, and Frasier Crane” and as someone who “puts the heart back into psychology” and we are very proud and honoured to have him as our Ambassador supporting and advising across all our project areas.
As a clinical psychologist, Andrew Fuller works with many schools and communities in Australia and internationally, specialising in the wellbeing of young people and their families. He is a Fellow of the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Learning and Educational Development at the University of Melbourne.
Andrew has been a principal consultant to the national drug prevention strategy REDI, the ABC on children’s television shows is an Ambassador for Mind Matters and is a member of the National Coalition Against Bullying.
He is the author of Tricky Kids, Guerilla Tactics for Teachers, Helping your child succeed at school, as well as many others. Andrew has also co-authored a series of programs for the promotion of resilience and emotional intelligence used in over 3500 schools in Britain and Australia called The Heart Masters.
Andrew is also running a special project for ALWF called Project Future, where he is inviting Lions from acround the country as well as adults from the broader community to write a letter to future generations. Find out more about Project Future here
Meet Our
Board Members
We are very lucky to have a dedicated team of board members who guide the direction of the foundation and the development of our resources, as well as promoting the work of the foundation within their state.
David Daniels OAM
Chairman
David has been with ALWF since its creation in 1984 and has held positions as State Director, Deputy Chair and Chairman over many years. David’s community work is extensive in Lions as well as having been founding Chairman/Director of the Drug Education Network (Lions DEN). He is still currently a Director of DEN, now in its 33rd year.
He is also the current Chairman of Crimestoppers Tasmania and a Director of Crimestoppers Australia.
David brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to ALWF through his experience on several national and state Boards.
He has been acknowledged on many occasions by Lions International as well as the Australian Lions Multiple District. David also received international recognition from Crimestoppers at a recent overseas convention, with the citation reading, “Civilian of the Year Award to Mr David Daniels OAM in recognition of selfless devotion, persistent service and significant contribution to Crimestoppers Tasmania”.
In 2006 David was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his work in Lions drug awareness programmes and crime abatement.
After retiring from a hectic corporate career with a multi-national company some decade ago, David has committed to continuing his involvement with community work, utilizing his governance skills and business acumen. In his 40th year of Lions, he is still passionate and committed to serving the community, both state and national, through his work with the Foundation.
Theo Carl Rene von Stein (Carl)
Deputy Chairman
Carl worked in the Bank of New South Wales (1960 – 1984) and saw service in Queensland, UK, South Australia and ACT Divisions of the Bank. During this time he was also involved in various school boards as well as community/ charity projects involving the young and the elderly.
In 1984 he joined the staff of the British High Commission and attained the position of Finance Manager – Australia which he held until his retirement in 2012. Carl was invited to join Lions in 1984 and has held many positions at Club, District and National level within the Lions organisation.
He was District Governor of N2 (1999 – 2000). Carl has received many awards: – 1997 – Melvin Jones Fellow; 1997 Dr. Harry Jenkins Fellow . In 2004 he was made a Life Member of Lions Clubs International. Carl is a member of the Lions Club of Canberra Belconnen and is committed to the Lions Motto “WE SERVE”.
David McKenzie OAM
Secretary
David has been with the Foundation since 1987 first as QLD Director and then from 1989 as Secretary/Treasurer. He has been a Lion for over 40 years and is passionate about helping people in their struggle against Drugs.
Along with the Chair, he was honoured with an OAM and also a Centenary Medal.
He is a member of the Lions Club of Rochedale Springwood in QLD and truly believes in the work that is being done by the Foundation on behalf of all the Lions family in Australia.
PDG David Lowing
V Districts
With over 60 years of community service work, David joined the ALWF board in Oct 2021. A member of Lions since 1994, David has been a member of various clubs as he had moved and taken on many key roles across Youth Exchange, LCIF Coordinator and Foundations (ALF and VLF) Chairman and most more recently Victorian State Leos Coordinator.
David has a wealth of knowledge and expertise across the youth sector from sport coaching to volunteering with the Victorian Department of Justice’s Council of Multiculturism and Youth and the Victorian Office of the Public Advocate, as an Advocate during Police interviews with Youth and the Cognitively Disabled.
Sharon Bond
C Districts, T Districts, W Districts
Jarrod Kreft
N Districts
Jarrod joined Lions in 2018 following in my grandfather’s footsteps, wanting to carry on his legacy of service to the community. Jarrod first joined ALWF as a Consultant and has now gone on to be a Director.
In his tenure with Lions Jarrod has served on Cabinet as the Information Technology Chairperson helping bring his district into the virtual world through the pandemic and he continues to upskill our members to serve our community. For this work, in 2022 Jarrod was awarded the International Presidents Medal. Jarrod also serves as a Director for the Lions Nurses Scholarship Foundation where he takes great pride in supporting nurses with their studies that may have otherwise been unattainable.
Alan Brooks
Q Districts
Alan joined the ALWF board in November 2023 and appreciates the opportunity to support the four Queensland Districts, in association with the Foundation’s major goals.
He is a member of the Lions Club of Pine Rivers and has undertaken numerous roles on District Cabinet, most recently Leadership Coordinator and Membership Coordinator.
Alan’s career in education saw him working in rural, remote, mining and urban communities.
As a school principal and Queensland review officer, he understands the value of prevention, early intervention and focused support. By connecting with a broad range of agencies, people of all ages have the best chance of success, both personally and in groups.
Alan has credentials as a life coach, mediator and sports coach. He has led the implementation of social and emotional learning programs.
He volunteers at the Brisbane International tennis tournament and has experience at state and national Track & Field Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
Alan is a servant leader whose goal is to bring out the best in others.
Our Consultant
The Foundation is lucky to be supported by consultants who advise and help develop the projects within the foundation
Matthew Crossley
Consultant
Acknowledging Excellence
Foundation Awards
As a foundation we have two awards which are presented to Lions and Community members for their work in the area of alcohol and other drug education and support.:
- James McLardie Award – In recognition of outstanding service to the community
- Dr Harry Jenkins Fellowship – recognising the value of service given to Lions Clubs International/or wellbeing Promotion
Clubs can nominate an individual via the application form and donation. Recipients receive a wall plaque.
A Not for profit organisation
Why Support Us?
We are able to run our projects due to the generosity of Lions Club from across Australia, businesses, and individuals who kindly donate to support the work we do. We also generate funds through our resources shop.
More than 30 years of experience
Part of Lions Australia
Range of projects
Consultants guiding development
Award winning
Subscribe to our eNews
Throughout the year we send an eNews with information and opportunities related to our projects and resources. We would love for you to sign up.
You can also contact us throughout the year. Send us an email.