Club president Rob Sanders said the event was supposed to take place in Ararat for three days, but was cancelled due to COVID-19.

"The Lions Club International 201V2 District Convention will be on Zoom. We decided that we still needed a convention of some form, because we still have to pass some business and make announcements," he said.

"The convention is for all of the Lions Clubs in south-west Victoria, and will be going from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

"We did a lot of pre-filming for it on Wednesday at the Ararat Town Hall, where we recorded the opening and closing of the ceremony and some speeches.

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"We also filmed our remembrance ceremony, where we speak about the members who have passed away in the last 12 months and we pay tribute to them."

Each year, the Lions Club hosts its convention for the election of the district governor, the district's annual general meeting and to discuss and resolve club matters.

Mr Sanders said this year had been "quiet" for the Ararat Lions Club.

"We have stopped our barbeques on the main street. I am hoping we can get them going very soon, before Christmas," he said.

"We still managed to be able to dish out some money to areas and communities that have required it."

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Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Dr Tim Harrison congratulated Mr Sanders and the Ararat Lions Club for their efforts to make this event happen.

"Unfortunately, the social aspects of the convention have been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has pushed the event to move online," he said.

"It has been great to see that the Ararat Lions Club have not let this defeat them, and the show still goes on.

"We hope that all Lions Club members still enjoy the Lions District 201V2 44th Annual Convention, ARCC has been proud to support of this event, and we look forward to them coming to experience our region soon."

The Lions Club District Cabinet has endorsed Ararat to host the 2021 convention, where Lions Club members will be able to come and experience the region in person.

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