One of the ways in which Nambucca Lions have been able to fund their positive enterprises has been through their leading role with the Nambucca Plaza Community Markets.

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The origins of this much-loved market stretch back to the late 1980s when the Nambucca Plaza management established it.

This initiative aimed to bring together community members and local artisans, providing a space for commerce and connection.

On 30 August 1994, the market found a new steward in the form of the Lions Club of Nambucca Heads, which officially took over in January 1995.

Since that time, with the exception of impacting natural disasters and a pandemic, the markets have been held every second Sunday of the month.

From the beginning, the Nambucca Lions utilised stall-holder fees to disperse funds throughout the community, supporting a variety of significant local projects and initiatives.

This model of giving back to the Nambucca Valley community has been a cornerstone of the market’s philosophy, fostering a spirit of communal growth and support.

Currently funds raised through stallholder fees at the Nambucca Plaza Markets are being used to support the start-up of the parkrun group in Nambucca Heads and the Biggest BBQ by the Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation.

By the end of the year the Club will have donated $21,000 to local schools, community groups and other community activities in addition to continuing to maintain facilities in our local parks, BBQs and gardens.

The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges with the arrival of COVID-19.

Like many communities worldwide, Nambucca Heads felt the pandemic’s impact deeply, facing uncertainty and disruption, however the resilience of the market community shone through.

Post-pandemic, the market began to grow again, adapting by setting up stalls both inside and outside the Plaza to cater for all weather conditions.

“We Lions are still proud to be bringing the Nambucca Plaza Markets to the community and reinvesting back into the Nambucca Valley with our various projects,” Lion Bill Shepherd told News Of The Area.

“However as of this Sunday 2 June, we are changing the date of the markets to the first Sunday of each month to better align with community needs and expectations.

“The inaugural event on Sunday 2 June will run from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and we hope locals are not caught by surprise due to this change after so many years.”

By Mick BIRTLES