A joint Rotary–Lions celebration in Stanthorpe highlighted the power of collaboration, honouring outstanding service while raising vital funds to help finish the global fight to end polio.
AT a recent joint meeting of the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Stanthorpe, Qld, two Lions were honoured with Paul Harris Fellowships and significant funds were raised for The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus campaign.
Lion Mark McCosker and Lions District Governor Stuart Perrett were recognised for their outstanding community contributions, and their awards were linked to PolioPlus, supporting the global effort to eradicate polio.
Mark was honoured for his long record of service to Lions and the wider community. Previously a Rotaractor, Mark followed his father and joined the Lions Club of Stanthorpe in 2002. He is a past club president and a Life Member of Lions International.
Recently, he was Lions District 201Q1 Conference Chairman, bringing hundreds of Lions to Stanthorpe. Alongside his wife Natalie, Mark has been a generous supporter of countless local community organisations, events and charities through his printing business. He has received many Lions honours but was left speechless when he received the recognition from Stanthorpe Rotary Club.
Stuart has a lifelong connection to service, having been inspired by his parents’ involvement with Rotary at Wynnum & Manly before becoming a Rotaractor in his younger years. Since joining the Lions Club of Stanthorpe in 2008, he has held numerous leadership roles and made history as the first district governor from a western club in Lions District 201Q1.
In recognising both recipients, Rotarian Stephen Tancred spoke about the deeper meaning of a Paul Harris Fellowship as a symbol of service, respect and gratitude, linking local community leadership to Rotary’s global humanitarian work.
The evening also raised significant funds for the fight to end polio. In addition to the $1,500 donated to the Foundation by each club to support the two fellowships, a further $2,500 was raised through cash donations from Lions and Rotarians on the night. The total Stanthorpe contribution of $5,500 will be matched two-for-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, resulting in a $16,500 contribution toward the global eradication effort.
Speaking on behalf of Rotary, Stephen noted that while polio has been reduced from hundreds of thousands of cases annually to just a handful worldwide, the final push remains critical and encouraged all Rotarians to keep funding our flagship program.
“Stanthorpe is a small rural Rotary club, but we still have a community memory of what polio was like in Australia in the 1950s and 60s and we will keep supporting the Foundation and the fight against polio.”
In rural towns, Lions and Rotary often have joint projects drawing on the strengths of both organisations. Last year, they combined in Stanthorpe to organise a walkathon to raise funds for the inland Queensland floods, and for the past year have been heading up a petition to get the Red Cross’s mobile blood bank to resume collections from towns west of the range. Their recent joint meeting was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when service clubs work together, celebrating outstanding local leadership while contributing to a cause that continues to change lives across the globe.
Rotary Downunder Magazine - March-April 2026
