From Stage Fright to Service Leader: Sydney Man's Remarkable Community Journey
Suben Subenthiran has achieved what many would consider impossible: overcoming debilitating public speaking anxiety to become president of the Sydney Ceylon Lions Club, where he now leads extensive charity initiatives ranging from environmental cleanups to supporting homeless services.
A Reluctant Beginning Transforms Into Leadership
When initially invited to join a newly forming Lions club, Subenthiran expressed uncertainty about the role and whether it would suit his personality and capabilities. "I wasn't sure what would be involved or whether it would be a good fit for me," he recalls of those early conversations. Today, not only has the position proven ideal, but he proudly serves as president, overseeing the club's growing community impact.
The Sydney Ceylon Lions Club operates both locally and internationally, with Subenthiran explaining their dual focus: "We do a few things in Australia and a few things in Sri Lanka. In Australia, we're primarily focused on environmental projects and clean-up initiatives while we continue learning from more established clubs."
Expanding Community Impact Through Strategic Partnerships
Under Subenthiran's leadership, the club has significantly expanded its charitable reach. They've recently established a partnership with the Bill Crews Foundation, supporting their Ashfield center which provides comprehensive services beyond basic meals.
The Ashfield center offers:
- A safe space with shower facilities
- Free haircut services
- Comprehensive dental and medical surgical services
"This represents more than just freedom from hunger," Subenthiran emphasizes. "We've donated funds and are exploring food drive initiatives, including collecting perishable items from supermarkets to support their work."
The club also maintains a productive relationship with Bunnings Warehouse, conducting traditional sausage sizzles that benefit both charity fundraising and community engagement. "People come for the barbecue and then go shopping - it's genuinely win-win for everyone involved," Subenthiran notes with appreciation.
Conquering Anxiety Through Service and Support
Subenthiran's journey to leadership involved confronting significant personal challenges. For two decades, he participated in Toastmasters to address his public speaking anxiety, experiencing physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and mental blocks during presentations. Remarkably, he served as Toastmasters president three times despite these ongoing struggles.
"When my friend invited me to join the new Lions club, it became a complete eye-opener," he reflects. "I can't believe how this experience has transformed my thinking about making meaningful community contributions."
Even with his nomination for a local legends award, Subenthiran maintains humility, acknowledging what he describes as "imposter syndrome" and noting that many others deserve similar recognition for their community work.
Additional Community Champion: Katrina Pastourmoglou's Impact
Another remarkable volunteer making substantial community contributions is Katrina Pastourmoglou, who has served as volunteer director of Swansea/Belmont SLSC for nine years. Her responsibilities encompass club operations, nippers programs, patrol coordination, venue management, and hosting major state titles.
Pastourmoglou organizes the Timberlina event for breast cancer awareness, describing it as "a drag queen fundraiser involving about 180 participants, mostly women, creating a wonderfully loose atmosphere where everyone has an absolute ball."
Her community work holds personal significance, with her daughter Ellie battling a brain tumor and her friend Karen facing breast cancer. Bunnings has provided crucial support to her surf club initiatives, supplying barbecues, outdoor furniture, and event prizes.
"Whenever I need assistance, they're fantastic," Pastourmoglou says of Bunnings. "They're incredibly generous and genuinely community-focused."
Nominated as a Bunnings Community Legend, Pastourmoglou has raised substantial funds through her work with the Mark Hughes Foundation, selling $25 beanies to generate $60,000-$70,000 annually over six years. She also coordinates breast cancer fundraising at the surf club, raising approximately $50,000 yearly.
Her perspective on community service is profoundly personal: "When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you at least get the opportunity to fight. With accidents or heart attacks, death can come instantly. That's why creating meaningful memories while we can is so important."
In 2025, Pastourmoglou received the NSW Woman of the Year award for her volunteer contributions, though she rarely mentions this recognition herself, preferring to focus on the work rather than the accolades.
