President Allen Lenton cheekily said it was about time someone from Bushland Health Group won, even if it wasn’t CEO Dennis Hawkins who purchases the most tickets every year. The runner up Mr S Dawson from Wingham won second prize, a girl’s toddler bike.

Cheryl Brett said there would be eight excited grandchildren arriving at their house for Christmas.

Event coordinator Di Brooker said it was a great fund raiser for local charity and many locals and visitors contribute year after year. After many hours by Lions club members and friends of Lions selling tickets it was pleasing to see the cubby go to a family that had been buying tickets for 19 years.

Past president and club member Geoff Thompson, said last year “20 years of making the cubby house was enough and he was putting down his tools”.

Sonny Rogers, a tireless Lions club worker, was going to have none of that, so with some good luck and persistent effort the club ran its 21st cubby house raffle in 2017.

The cubby house would not be a reality without the support of local businesses. Reece Plumbing, River City Sheet Metal, Petrie’s Taree, Furniture One and Glen Lamberts Wall Cladding and Home Improvements have all donates goods and materials in recent years.

Allen Lenton was also pleased with the generous support from the community for the Christmas ham raffles held at the Taree Night Bazaar and Taree Central shopping centre.

He said with the addition of 14 new members over the last two years, charity fundraisers by Taree Lions are sure to have a good future. All membership enquiries should be directed to Phil Grisold on 0407 515 544.