About Us

About Us

Our History

The ideas behind Lions Quest date back to 1975, when a teenager named Rick Little set out on a “quest” to help other young people develop the skills and strength of character needed to succeed as adults. Rick conducted a survey of over 2,000 high school students to determine the issues that concerned them most and consulted experienced educators who guided the development of the first Quest International program Skills for Action.  The program was so successful at the senior secondary level that soon junior secondary and primary teachers were asking for age appropriate lessons to teach essential life skills. The Lions Quest partnership was formed in the early 80s, and Rick Little eventually founded and served as chief executive officer of the International Youth Foundation.

Lions Quest in Australia

Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence was piloted in 12 Sydney High Schools in 1988 and has been part of Lions Quest in Australia since then. Skills for Growing, the primary school curriculum, was introduced in the 90s and quickly became popular Australia-wide.

Today, the Foundation to Year 8 Lions Quest Social and Emotional Learning programs are mapped to the Australian Curriculum, and easy-to-access teacher training is available.

Lions Quest is proudly part of the Lions Clubs International Foundation and within Australia it is a project of The Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation, a non-for-profit Lions Foundation.

Who Are The Lions?

Since the first club was formed in Australia 75 years ago Lions has grown dramatically in size and impact with over 1200 clubs and 25,000 members now giving back through an array of community-based programs and initiatives.

Some Lions are on a mission to cure childhood cancer and diabetes, others are committed to assisting those impacted by drought and floods and many are simply working together to help people in need in their local communities. There are many project-based Foundations within Lions, and the Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation is charged with helping create a happier, healthier and safer community.