The club now has a membership of just six.

Daylesford Lions Club was opened in February, 1973 and has staged hundreds of fundraising barbecues and raised thousands of dollars annually for the community.

President Martin Shroeders said he hated to see the club go.

``We've been trying for the past six years to get members,'' he said.

``We've had articles in the paper, word of mouth _ it doesn't seem to get through to people.''

With the club gone, the community will miss out on thousands of dollars in funds that the Lions raise each year for many local causes including Daylesford Hospital and Lumeah Lodge.

The club's annual art show, held during last year's Melbourne Cup holiday, raised $6000 alone, in addition to all the money raised from barbecues, raffles and cake sales.

Ms Shroeders, who joined the club in 1985, said the only way for the club to continue was for more members to join.

``We've had the same people for the past four years.

``I put it to them last year that we couldn't go on the way things were.

``At our first meeting in January this year I said a decision needs to be made.''

Lions Australia membership services manager Bob Radford said nationally Lions had increased its membership in the past year.

But he said in country towns, where populations were smaller, it posed a challenge for some clubs.

``Quite often people have to move away for work, or they get old,'' he said.

``Our average age is just over 60, which is an issue. We would like to have more younger people in our ranks and encourage them to join.''

He said Lions had 27,500 members across the country and this year they had even started some brand new clubs.

``Apart from the obvious good they do in the community, there is an opportunity for you to network skills and services,'' he said.

``There is also an opportunity for the social aspect of your life to be improved.''

Anyone interested in joining Lions can email Mr Radford at membership@lions.org.au