Held on Monday, July 8, the members met Stephen Nicholas of the Great Lakes Education Fund, who introduced them to scholarship recipients Kayla Simpson and Billy Newman.

Mr Nicholas began the evening by discussing the challenges that face education funds in the country and the limited opportunities available to country kids seeking further education.

He then acknowledged the generous support given to the Great Lakes Education Fund by the Lions club, who donate a lump sum each year.

Kayla Simpson spoke to the members about her own educational journey and how the scholarship she received through the fund was helping her to work towards fulfilling her career ambitions.

Residing in Coomba Park and attending Great Lakes College in Forster, Kayla chose to move out of home and complete her final two years of high school at Taree Christian College.

From there she made the decision to attend Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie, where she was studying a Bachelor of Social Work, with the goal of one day becoming a school counsellor.

She commutes to university while continuing to live in Forster, where she works at Great Lakes and Manning Youth Homelessness Service.

She hopes to complete her university practical placements at both Family and Community Services and Manning Hospital, which will help expand her knowledge and give her valuable experiences she can draw on in the future.

Fellow scholarship recipient Billy Newman spoke to the members about his experience studying medicine at James Cook University in Townsville.

A humorous and confident public speaker, Billy regaled the crowd with the challenges he'd faced transitioning from home to university, which included making new friends and learning how to use a washing machine.

He also lamented the fact he could no longer surf in Townsville, with killer crocs, Irukandji stingers, snakes and bull sharks making it an undesirable past-time.

Studying cardiology, respiratory medicine and tropical health in his first semester, Billy said he found the degree very time-consuming and academically-challenging.

At the end of the year he will spend four weeks in Victoria completing rural placement.

Lions club publicity officer Margeret Kentwell said it was enjoyable and rewarding to hear the annual donation the club made to the Great Lakes Education Fund was going to such worthy recipients.

Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Great Lakes Advocate newsletter here.