Our community is growing, and local legends are helping make it a connected place to live! We recently sat down with Michael Maclaren, the organiser of the Elliot Springs Markets, to find out how and why he created this regular community event.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in Burnie, Tasmania, where I went on to work as a Cadet Accountant. I’ve had many accounting roles, and even worked in the nursing home industry as a manager. I have also been involved with Advisory Groups appointed by the Government. After retiring I did some travelling, before making the decision to move to Townsville.

In my free time, I enjoy activities like bonsai, gardening, travelling, caravanning, and being a part of several community organisations, including the local Lions Club.

Tell us about how you came to start the Elliot Springs markets?

Here in Townsville, I’m heavily involved with the Lions Club and currently District Governor.

During my term as President for the Lions, I started the Elliot Springs Market as I saw potential to create this event in a new, growing neighbourhood. I felt it was ideal for the Lions to have a regular event for the new residents of Elliot Springs. It's very enjoyable running the markets as you meet so many people, both stall holders and community members. It's a great feeling to be able to bring an event together that assists so many people.

What can locals expect from the Elliot Springs markets?

Our markets attract 25 plus stalls monthly and it is on the second Saturday of each month from March through to December. Residents can expect to find a great variety of stalls from fruit and vegetables to handmade jewellery, plants, tasty baked treats, ‘Bric-a-brac’, candles, blended teas, sugar cookies, books, a coffee van, sausage sizzle and many more. There's also live entertainment, and it all makes for a great ‘country fair’ type atmosphere.

New stallholders are always welcome, and anyone interested can contact me as the Market Coordinator by email at mmaclaren53@bigpond.com or mobile on 047 311 416.

Can you tell us about the Lions Club and how it benefits the Iocal community?

It’s all about giving back to the local community!

Our local Lions Club is a busy club, with 46 members. Members are involved in our 5 pillars of service: Hunger, Vision, Children’s Cancer, Environment and Diabetes. We also assist people who have been involved with floods, fires, droughts by donating goods as well as helping with food and giving Christmas Hampers, school clothing and books, and more.

Some other good community initiatives we do include:

Children’s vision screening, where we test children’s eyes and can detect if children require glasses

Running numerous barbecues for local government events, car shows and charity days

Lions Hearing and Alert Dogs enables those who are hearing impaired and have diabetes to be given a trained assistance dog free of charge

With one hundred percent of our funds raised going back into the community, we all work very hard and are always looking out for new members as many hands make light work.

We have a club branch named ‘Alligator Creek Lions Club’ and as it is adjacent to Elliot Springs it was ideal to have our presence in the area with a possibility to grow, for Elliot Springs to have its own Service Club at some stage.

Community spirit is thriving at Elliot Springs

Keep up to date with the Elliot Springs markets here on Facebook.