Lions Brisbane West and the Ipswich Scenic 100

When hundreds of riders roll out from the University of Southern Queensland campus on Sunday, March 29, for the 2026 Ipswich Scenic 100, they’ll be taking part in something more than a bike ride.

Behind the start line, the road marshals, the refreshment stops and even the parking crews stand a team of Lions – volunteers from across south-east Queensland who have spent months planning every detail of this iconic community event.

For Lions Brisbane West President Pat Marrinan, the Ipswich Scenic 100 represents the best of what the service organisation stands for: locals giving back to their communities.

“Delivering community benefit is a big motivator for all of us at Lions,” Pat says. “We’re about getting money into the community for projects. That’s the reason Lions exist.”

The Brisbane West Lions Club was founded in 1979, when Bellbowrie was a new and growing suburb on Brisbane’s western fringe.

“Bellbowrie at that stage was a new suburb, and some of the local men saw the need for a community club,” Pat recalls. “They established what was called the Lions Park on Birkin Road, and that park still exists today.”

The club began with around 30 members, Pat himself joined the following year, and like many Lions branches, it quickly became a hub for local initiatives.

By the early 2000s, the club was looking for a major annual fundraiser that could help support its growing list of projects. A few cycling enthusiasts among the members suggested a bike ride. The idea stuck.

“The ride started in Ipswich and at the time it was fairly basic,” Pat says. “For the first three years the event didn’t go as well as hoped – 2004 was really the make-or-break year.”

But the club persevered, refining the event and building connections with nearby Lions branches. That determination paid off. The ride grew steadily, moving to its current home at the University of Southern Queensland Ipswich Campus about 15 years ago. Today, all routes start and finish at the university which provides a base that gives the event a strong community feel and room to grow.

More routes in 2026

For 2026, the Ipswich Scenic 100 will offer four route options to suit a range of riders: 160km, 100km, 50km and a new 25km course.

“The 160 goes out through towns like Rosewood, Harrisville, Kalbar and Boonah,” Pat explains. “The 100km follows the same roads out to Harrisville before turning back, the 50km goes to Rosewood and returns, and the 25km travels to Walloon and back.”

The shorter 25km course is a new addition designed to welcome riders as young as 12 or anyone looking for a more relaxed challenge.

Beyond the start and finish line, five Lions clubs pitch in to make the event happen each year. Ipswich Lions manage parking at the university, while Scenic Rim clubs including Harrisville, Boonah, Rosewood and Fassifern handle marshalling duties and staff the five refreshment stops along the route.

“It hasn’t been easy,” Pat admits. “We’ve had our ups and downs. But it’s been great that those clubs have stuck with us. We also make a donation from the proceeds to each club, which they then use in their own communities – one even built a skate park for local kids.”

Delivering for communities

The Lions’ model is simple: every dollar raised goes back into the community. With minimal overheads and all-volunteer labour, the results add up quickly.

Over the two decades the Ipswich Scenic 100 has been running, the Brisbane West Lions Club estimates it has raised around $1.3 million for local causes. The Ipswich Hospital Foundation has been one of the key beneficiaries, alongside countless smaller community initiatives.

“The 2024 event delivered a profit of $75,000 that we could give away,” Pat says proudly. “We only have basic expenses, so we can generate a sizeable amount to donate, depending on the number of riders.”

While the 2025 edition was cancelled due to weather and flooding, the club is already channelling its energy into making the 2026 event its best yet with Bicycle Queensland proud to come on board as an event partner.

Pat, who has been involved with Lions for more than four decades, says the Ipswich Scenic 100 has become much more than a fundraiser, it can be seen as community spirit in action.

“Part of why Lions exist is to help the community,” he says. “That might be by way of donations, or by personal assistance. And that’s what motivates us to do the event – to be able to donate funds and see that they’re used properly.”

It’s a formula that works. Every Lions club keeps overheads to a minimum, ensuring that almost every dollar raised is returned to the community.

“If you give a dollar to a Lions club, that dollar gets donated,” Pat explains. “Everyone is a volunteer, and that’s one of the things I like about it.”

Like many service clubs, Lions face a challenge in attracting new members as people’s time becomes more stretched. But Pat believes the camaraderie and purpose that come with being a Lion are as valuable as ever.

“The best way to get involved is to come to a meeting,” he says. “We have two a month – one is a business meeting where you’ll learn about what the club does, and the second is more social. You have to have those outlets and enjoy yourself – it can’t all be business.”

For Pat, the motivation to serve is its own intrinsic force.

“I’ve always wanted to help people,” he says. “I became a lawyer to help people, and that extends to Lions. I like seeing someone deal with a problem through the help we can provide – making their life a little easier.”

The Ipswich Scenic 100 isn’t just an event for cyclists, it is also a celebration of what community spirit can achieve. From the volunteers at each rest stop to the riders who take on the challenge each March, it’s a reminder that small acts of generosity can make a big difference.

And as Pat puts it, that’s exactly the point.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” he says. “It’s not just about cycling it’s about building stronger communities.”

The Ipswich Scenic 100 will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, starting and finishing at the University of Southern Queensland Ipswich Campus. Bicycle Queensland is proud to partner with Lions Brisbane West for this iconic event. Tickets are available via the BQ website.