Lantern Clubs are made up of enthusiastic, fun-loving and committed volunteers who fundraise for the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) through activities that include events, raffles and street stalls. There are more than 14 Lantern Clubs across NSW, with a membership of over 500.

Since 1964, they have raised more than $14 million to help support children with a vision or hearing loss.

What We Do

Lantern Clubs aim to create a friendly and social environment whilst also helping lift the limits for children with vision or hearing impairment through vital fundraising.

For 53 years, RIDBC Lantern Clubs have fundraised for RIDBC through a variety of fun and creative activities; morning teas, raffles, fashion shows, guest speaker events, market stalls and much more.

Lantern Clubs are raising funds and awareness for RIDBC’s Alternative Format Publications (AFP). AFP create tactile and braille resources for children all over Australia – from babies as young as a few weeks old to school students needing textbooks translated into braille to allow them to keep up with their class. This ensures children are not held back by their vision impairment and are able to live a life unlimited.

How We Work

There are 14 clubs across NSW and each club has an Executive Committee including a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The clubs meet regularly to discuss their fundraising activities and to have fun and social catch-up’s.

Every 6 weeks, the Executive Committee from each club meet at the Central Council and discuss the ongoing activities. There is a Central Council Executive Committee who oversee all Central Council activities including the end of year Annual Combined Luncheon.

Our goal is to engage our community with our fundraising activities which help raise awareness for the valuable support and services that RIDBC provide for children with hearing loss.

Get Involved

 Do you like socialising and being involved in fun and creative activities?

 Would you like to be a part of an enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers?

 Do you want to make a difference and help help lift the limits for children with hearing or vision loss?

Then you should join a Lantern Club today! For more information on Lantern Clubs sign up now or contact your nearest Lantern Club.

Join a Lantern Club Today

Avoca Beach Lantern Club

Club meetings

Avoca Beach Lantern Club meets every 4^th Wednesday of the month at 1pm at the Waterford Retirement Village, Kincumber Street, Kincumber.

Blacktown Lantern Club

Club meetings

Blacktown Lantern Club meets at the Jack Robinson Room, Blacktown Workers Club, Campbell St, Blacktown every 3^rd Wednesday of the month at 10:30am. Visitors welcome.

Blue Mountains Lantern Club

Blue Mountains Lantern Club meets at Springwood Court, 133 Macquarie Road, Springwood every 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:30am. Visitors welcome.

Camden Haven Lantern Club

Club meetings

Camden Haven Lantern Club meets at Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton Street, Laurieton every 4th Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm. Visitors welcome.

Cronulla Lantern Club

Upcoming events

Join us on May 10^th for our 22^nd Mother’s Day Luncheon with special guest speaker Jennie Brand-Miller (photo attached) on Thursday May 10^th.

There will be fun, beautiful crafts and delicacies as well as lovely raffle prizes so bring along a mother, friend or partner and enjoy a wonderful afternoon at Doltone House, Sylvania Waters.

Cronulla Lantern Club 22^nd Mother’s Day Luncheon

Date: Thursday 10^th May

Time: 11am for 11:30am start

Cost: $70/person

RSVP: 19^th April to Yvonne Gray on 9523 3131 or 0438 523 317 or email Patricia Woodford on p.woodford@optusnet.com.au

Club meetings

Cronulla Lantern Club meets at Hammondgrove, Bellingara Rd,

Miranda every 1st Monday of the month at 1:30pm. Visitors welcome.

Far South Coast Lantern Club

Club meetings

Far South Coast Lantern Club meets at Bayswater Resort,

Princes Hwy, Batemans Bay every 3rd Wednesdayof the month at 11am. Visitors welcome.

Forster Tuncurry Lantern Club

The Forster Tuncury Lantern Club formed in March 2001 we still have two inaugual members attending. Our present membership is 18.  

Upcoming events

We are currently holding a Mother’s Day raffle situated outside Woolworths at Tuncurry two days week. Please contact Margaret Pollard on 6555 8997 or teaset@tsn.cc for more information

Club meetings

Forster Tuncurry Lantern Club meets at CWA Rooms, Little Street, Forster every 2nd Thursday of the month at 1:30pm. Visitors welcome.

Goulburn Lantern Club

Goulburn Lantern Club will be celebrating its forty first birthday on 13th April 2018 with a luncheon. We have twenty two members. Six members are aged ninety years or more.

Upcoming events

April 13th - 41st Birthday Celebrations Luncheon

May – Mother’s Day raffle

Club meetings

Goulburn Lantern Club meets at Centretown Lagoon Motel, 77

Lagoon Street, Goulburn every 2nd Friday of the month at 11am.

Visitors welcome.

Hornsby Lantern Club

Club meetings

Hornsby Lantern Club meets at Leisure and Learning Centre, 8 Warne St, Pennant Hills every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10:30am. Visitors welcome.

Maitland Lantern Club

Club meetings

Maitland Lantern Club meets at East Maitland Bowling Club, Bank Street, East Maitland every 1st Tuesday of the month at 10:30am. Visitors welcome.

Mosman Lantern Club

Club meetings

Mosman Lantern Club meets at 3/14 Esther Road, Mosman or 16/67 Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:30am. Visitors welcome.

Parramatta Lantern Club

Parramatta Lantern Club was formed in 1964 and was one of the first Lantern Clubs. Our Club, with its current small number of members, is endeavouring to raise funds to continue to help the children and parents at RIDBC. We meet at RIDBC North Rocks and new members are very welcome.

Club meetings

Parramatta Lantern Club meets at RIDBC North Rocks every 1st Wednesday of the month at 1pm. Visitors welcome.

Ryde Lantern Club

Formed in 1966 our club has a proud history of fellowship, service and fundraising. We have 70 members and meet monthly at St Anne’s Centre, Church Street, Top Ryde. At 9:30am a cuppa and biscuits are ready, and we start at 10am, followed by morning tea and a speaker or performer.

Upcoming events

April 16^th – meeting – the Amabile Music Group

May 7^th – Coffee morning, Top Ryde Shopping Centre

May 21^st – Meeting – Bring and Buy

June 18^th – meeting – TV and Film Making

July 16^th – meeting – Macular Degeneration speaker

July 2^nd – Annual Luncheon, Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club

July 30^th – Crazy Whist Day

Club meetings

Ryde Lantern Club meets at St Anne’s Centre, Church Street, Top Ryde every 3^rd Monday of the month at 10am.

Visitors welcome.

Warringah Lantern Club

Club meetings

Warringah Lantern Club meets at Dee Why RSL Club, 932 Pittwater Road, Dee Why every 2nd Thursday of the month at 10:30am. Visitors welcome.