Work on the Mudgee Lions Club's new facility at the Mudgee Showground has commenced, which when complete won't only be their new home but also a community resource.
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David Halpin, of the local Lions, said that one of the main objectives was to give local groups a premises they can use, in addition to helping ease their storage squeeze.
"The front entrance to the shed will be the community meeting room, which is available for use by other community groups and several have already indicated that they would be keen to use it," he said.
"The storage area is fairly flexible, because what we have at the moment are three trailers - one is a caravan - and other gear that we've collected over the years. And where we are now you've got to climb through - so this will be wonderful, it'll have easy access and we'll be ready to go."
Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, stopped by the site this week to meet with the club and have a look.
"They really need their own, purpose-built home. And this is a great solution for them, because it gives them the space they need and it also means that more people are using the showground which is developing into a wonderful community resource," he said.
"The service clubs like the Mudgee Lions are the glue that holds our communities together, so governments have got to be supporting the folks who are supporting our local communities."
The project received a grant of $20,000 from the Tackling Tough Times Together drought support program, which is managed by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), to help communities access support resources during the drought.
"This is exactly the type of project the Tackling Tougher Times Together grants are designed to support and I am thrilled, through our assistance, they have now raised the money needed to commence the building works on site," Mr Gee said.
And added that Round 15 of the program is open until October 24, with successful applicants to be announced in February, more information here.
All such funding is necessary, as the club won't divert any money from their community projects into the facility.
"They [the grants] have been a real shot-in-the-arm for this building project and we are so excited to finally get it underway," Mr Halpin said.
The Lions have been active in Mudgee for nearly 60 years, more information on their Facebook page.
