The new school year has started, and it is time for Lions Clubs to start the preparation for engaging with your local primary schools and youth groups with information on two fantastic Lions projects.
Lions International Peace Poster and Peace Essay Contest
If the Peace Poster/Essay is an annual project for your club then you will already know the wonderful opportunity the contest provides for your club to work with youth in your local community to promote peace, tolerance and international understanding. If the contest is new to your club, I am sure you will find that encouraging young people, ages 11 to 13, to think about peace and to see their expressions of what peace means to them is a wonderfully fulfilling experience.
The theme for the Peace Posters and Essays this year is “Harmony in Humanity”
To enter the Peace Poster / Essay contest a kit must be purchased for each contest sponsored. If you have 3 schools involved, then 3 kits must be ordered
The kits should arrive soon at the Lions Australia store, and they are available for preorder ($25.00). Alternatively, there is a digital download available through the LCI shop at a cost of US$11.95 (A$17.30). You can visit the website to order your kits, and it is also a good source of information about the contests.
Junior Public Speaking Competition
This is a new competition for our 201Q1 District but has been running successfully since 2007 in the 201V6 District. The program is for primary school students from years 3 to 6. If you already have a good relationship with a primary school through the Peace Poster contest, then this may be another project you could interest the school in.
The program aims to encourage students to participate in public speaking, help build their confidence and allow them the opportunity to hone their natural skills. It allows students to use their imagination, as well as expanding their research skills and knowledge on the topics that are chosen each year.
Students really enjoy the program and reap the benefits for years to come.
Teachers welcome the program as it incorporates story writing, research and speaking in front of an audience.
Lions club members receive the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a positive impact on young lives.
2026 Topics
Years 3 & 4 If you could go on a holiday anywhere in Australia, where would you go and why? Tell us about it…e.g. What can you see and what would you do there?
Years 5 & 6 If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (a real person past or present), who would it be, and why, and what would you serve them for dinner?
Hint: You will need to research this person to find out about their life.
You can find out more about the competition at: https://lionsclubs.org.au/our-impact/jps/. For full details of the competition go to https://lions201v6.org.au/district-201v6-junior-public-speaking-program-2/.
Getting Started
Unless you already have a good working relationship with a school, getting attention placed on Lions Projects can be difficult. It is best to try to find a teacher, chaplain or P&C representative that can champion the project rather than simply emailing the Principal with details. Principals are busy people and if you do not have a personal relationship with them they will likely not respond.
The good news is that once the relationship is established and the school or youth group experiences the benefits and student enjoyment in the projects then they will likely follow you up in the coming years to enter that years’ students in the competition.
If you need any more information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Peter Matthews
Member of the Lions Club of Greater Mt Gravatt Mansfield
Peace Poster & Junior Public Speaking Chair 2025-2026
Phone: 0414 888 392
