A Short History

For the past 30+ years Licola has provided rewarding, inspirational and often life changing experiences to over 40,000 children many of them from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as to primary and secondary school groups and other community groups.

 

Prior to that, Licola was a logging community, with a sawmill owned by G. N. Raymond.

 

By the time it was purchased by the Lions organisation, the village was in disrepair, but after 4 years of closely co-ordinated activities by hundreds of Lions members and other voluntary helpers, Army personnel and Local Municipal officers and with substantial financial aid from Lions Clubs, State Government agencies, commercial organizations, Charitable Foundations and members of the public, the camp was officially opened by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe on the 9th of December, 1973.

 

Lions Village Licola was established as a Charitable Foundation by the Lions Clubs of Victoria, the Riverina and Tasmania for the purpose of purchasing the township of Licola; comprising 34 acres of land, a post office and store and some 20 buildings and developing it into a Youth camp.

 

These camps have provided in parallel, a unique learning opportunity for thousands of young volunteer leaders and carers as well as young people completing community service work.

 

Licola is supported throughout Victoria by more than 350 Lions Clubs that raise money and provide services to support the development and use of Licola and it is through their vision that this wonderful resource is available today.

 

Licola Wilderness Village is the trading name for Lions Village Licola Inc. which is  wholly owned and operated by the Lions Clubs of Victoria and southern New South Wales.