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APRIL - MAY 2015
w Lions answered
shfire challenge
Lions Clubs International
Australia Papua New Guinea Edition $1
Registered by Australia Post Publication No. pp100002889
How Lions answer
bushfire challenge
How Lions Clubs International
is changing the world
A year of successes
Lion-Apr-May-1-7 Sect 1 copy_template Lion 24/03/2015 12:34 pm Page 2
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‘We serve’
Lion - Australia and Papua New Guinea edition is
published bi-monthly for the Multiple District 201
Council of Lions Clubs International and circulated to
all members.
Published by MD201 Council of Governors and printed by
PMP Print, 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton Victoria 3168.
An official publication of Lions Clubs International, the Lion
magazine is published by authority of Board of Directors in
21 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, French,
Swedish, Italian, German, Finnish, Korean, Portuguese,
Dutch, Danish, Chinese, Norwegian, Icelandic, Turkish,
Greek, Hindi, Polish, Indonesian and Thai.
Editor: Tony Fawcett, Fawcett Media
20 Millett Road Gisborne South VIC 3437
Phone: (03) 9744 1368
Email: [email protected]
Advertising Enquiries: Lions National Office
31-33 Denison St, Newcastle West, NSW 2302
Phone: (02) 4940-8033
Lions Australia website: www.lionsclubs.org.au
Deadlines: 1st day of month before cover date.
MD201 Council of Governors: C1 Rosemary Wenham,
C2 Ron Sargent, N1 Peter Willis-Jones,
N2 Lorraine Mairinger, N3 Margaret Pearce, N4 Ian Warren,
N5 Dr Anthony Cheung, Q1 Kent Wilcox, Q2 Gordon Bailey,
Q3 Greg Rollason, Q4 David Trigg, T1 Michael MacLaren,
V1-4 Kevin Tait, V2 Phillip Johnson, V3 Marjorie Radford,
V5 Alan Fluck, V6 Peter Niall, W1 Ivan Sturgess,
W2 Maxine C. Whitely. Council Chairperson: Warren Latham
Distribution of Magazine: Clubs and Members
Additions to distribution list, deletions, changes of address
and of club will be made only when advised through the
Club Membership and Activities report. Non-Lions, libraries
and other organisations who wish to advise changes should
contact Lions National Office, Locked Bag 2000
NEWCASTLE NSW 2300, Tel: 02 4940 8033 email:
[email protected]
USA Editor-In-Chief - Scott Drumheller
Managing Editor - Dane La Joye, Lions Clubs International
300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842 USA
Executive Officers: President Joseph Preston, Dewey,
Arizona, United States; Immediate Past President Barry J.
Palmer, North Maitland, Australia; First Vice President Dr.
Jitsuhiro Yamada, Minokamo-shi, Gifu-ken, Japan; Second
Vice President Robert E. Corlew, Milton, Tennessee, United
States. Contact the officers at Lions Clubs International, 300
W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, Illinois, 60523-8842, USA.
Directors First year: Svein Ǿystein Berntsen, Hetlevik,
Norway; Jorge Andrés Bortolozzi, Coronda, Argentina; Eric
R. Carter, Auckland, New Zealand; Charlie Chan, Singapore,
Singapore; Jack Epperson, Nevada, United States; Edward
Farrington, New Hampshire, United States; Karla N. Harris,
Wisconsin, United States; Robert S. Littlefield, Minnesota,
United States; Ratnaswamy Murugan, Kerala, India;
Yoshinori Nishikawa, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan; George Th.
Papas, Limassol, Cyprus; Jouko Ruissalo, Helsinki, Finland;
N. S. Sankar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; A. D. Don Shove,
Washington, United States; Kembra L. Smith, Georgia,
United States; Dr. Joong-Ho Son, Daejoon, Republic of
Korea; Linda L. Tincher, Indiana, United States.
Second Year: Fabio de Almeida, São Paulo, Brazil; Lawrence
A. “Larry” Dicus, California, United States; Roberto Fresia,
Albissola Marina, Italy; Alexis Vincent Gomès, Pointe-Noire,
Republic of Congo; Cynthia B. Gregg, Pennsylvania, United
States; Byung-Gi Kim, Gwangju, Korea; Esther LaMothe,
Michigan, United States; Yves Léveillé, Quebec, Canada;
Teresa Mann, Hong Kong, China; Raju V. Manwani, Mumbai,
India; William A. McKinney, Illinois, United States; Michael
Edward Molenda, Minnesota, United States; John Pettis Jr.,
Massachusetts, United States; Robert Rettby, Neuchatel,
Switzerland; Emine Oya Sebük, Istanbul, Turkey; Hidenori
Shimizu, Gunma, Japan; Dr. Steven Tremaroli, New York,
United States.
LION
APRIL - MAY 2015 Volume 118 No. 3
Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropy
APRIL - MAY 2015
Registered by Australia Post Publication No. pp100002889
Lion – Australia and PNG
Our cover
“To create and foster a spirit of understanding
among all people for humanitarian needs b y
providing voluntary services through
community involvement and international
cooperation”
Lions Clubs International
Australia Papua New Guinea Edition $1
How Lions Clubs International
is changing the world
A year of successes
Page 28- LCIF report
COVER: From saving sight to
fighting measles worldwide,
Lions Clubs International
Foundation has spent the
past year making our world a
better place for millions of
people. This young Tibetan
girl is being examined for
trachoma, a leading cause of
blindness. Read the LCIF
report on page 28.
Page 19 - Chugging around Oz
Page 22 - Lions in the fir e fight
CONTENTS
4
5
6
8
10
13
International President’s report
Cyclone Marcia aid flows in
Lions action
Lions iPads give new voice
The Lions club of the future
Aidan comes out swinging
14
19
22
24
26
28
Council Chairman report
Chug-a-long for an angel
Around the nation
Lions out and about
Committee vacancies
LCIF report
Contributions
Contributions for the June - July 2015 issue should be submitted by May 1 to The Editor,
Lion magazine, Fawcett Media, 20 Millett Rd, Gisborne South, Victoria 3437 or emailed to
[email protected].
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MARK OUR CENTENNIAL WITH A
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
By Joe
Preston,
Lions Clubs
International Help Lions help others
President
through LCIF
I
didn’t know it at the time, but one of the
greatest days of my life was the day a work
colleague invited me to a Lions meeting.
My life changed forever and became infinitely
more meaningful because someone had the courage,
confidence and foresight to ask me to be a Lion. This
month, as part of our centennial celebration, I ask
you to ask others to become a Lion.
Our centennial will be a lot of things to a lot of
people – a celebration, a remembrance, a call to
further service. But it also will be a giant lever to
ensure our vitality and service capability by
increasing our membership. Strengthen the Pride by
adding members and allowing others to discover the
satisfaction, even joy, of service.
Our well-conceived Membership Awards program,
part of our centennial celebration, began April 1 and
ends June 30, 2018. We have a series of incentive
awards for Lions and Lions clubs to sponsor new
members and new clubs. Lions who sponsor new
members or help organise new clubs and clubs that
induct new members or sponsor new clubs will
receive beautiful limited edition pins, certificates and
banner patches. We know the true reward of
advancing Lions’ mission of service is the pride and
feeling of satisfaction among members. But at the
same time we want to properly recognise Lions for
their membership efforts. We relish it when we’re
thanked for our service. Consider these tokens of
appreciation a giant thank-you from Lions Clubs
International.
The details on the Membership Awards program
are on page 12 and can be found at lionsclubs.org
as well. I know Lions always respond when asked,
and I know Lions will do their very best to add to our
rolls so we can do even more service. I wish you
happy hunting for members!
I
4
Joni and I are Lions, but we’re parents, too.
So it was very gratifying for us when we recently
visited a primary school in Nairobi, Kenya, and
watched as more than 300 lovely children received
vision screenings. Joni and I then had the privilege of
giving eyeglasses to the children that needed them.
I’m not sure who was smiling more – the children or
us. You can smile with pride, too, because the
screenings were made possible by LCIF. And LCIF’s
remarkable service is made possible by Lions such
as yourself.
I almost didn’t want to tell about this project in
Kenya. You may get the wrong idea about LCIF.
Kenya is probably not anywhere near you. You may
think, “Oh, yes, LCIF helps people far away from
here, in undeveloped nations.” I am proud that LCIF
indeed helps people in dire need in impoverished
places. Working through LCIF, Lions restore sight,
protect people against measles and help disaster
victims get back on their feet and so much more.
But our Foundation also helps millions of people in
developed nations. It’s active perhaps in your own
community or likely a community near you. As just a
few examples, LCIF recently awarded $100,000 to
Lions in Colorado to provide vision screening
equipment to the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute,
$75,000 to Lions in Ohio to equip a handicappedaccessible playground and $100,000 to Lions in
Toronto, Canada, to provide equipment to a Lions eye
care centre.
LCIF is Lions’ tool for serving on a larger scale
than clubs can do on their own. Think of LCIF as a
logical extension of the Lions’ model. We join a club
because our service is more valuable when we unite
with like-minded others. We support LCIF because
our funds go a lot further when put into common
pool. Through LCIF, we help each other help others.
We can and do provide services that governments
and other civic groups are not able to.
Please take a few minutes to read the full story
about LCIF in this issue starting on page 28. If you
have any doubts about the value of being a Lion or
don’t quite grasp the scope and reach of Lions’
service, this story will swell your pride in being a
Lion. One sure way to Strengthen the Pride is to
better understand who we are and what we do. Now
that’s something to smile about.
Not even a
cyclone could stop
Youth of the Year
It was one of the biggest cyclones to
hit the area for decades yet
Yeppoon’s Lions and Lionesses
weren’t stopped in their staging of
the local Youth of the Year program.
When the Keppel Bay Sailing Club,
where the club normally holds its dinner
meetings, was put out of action by
Cyclone Marcia, the event was quickly
transferred to the safety of the Yeppoon
Uniting Church that had survived and
still had power connected.
The sailing club, which is right on the
waterfront, is not expected to be
re-opened for months.
The homes and gardens of many
Yeppoon Lions and Lionesses suffered
damage from flying tree debris that
trapped some home owners during the
cyclone. Thankfully, no-one was
seriously injured.
Q4 YOTY District Chair Elizabeth
Goodsell’s home lost guttering and
suffered water damage and a flying roof
almost demolished a garden shed.
Q4 PDG John Lindsay and Estelle
locked up their house and sought
shelter in St Brendan’s College hall
where they helped to set up emergency
catering. Their home escaped damage
but a tree fell on their shed and their
6.8ha nature reserve was left in a
tangled mess.
Lion Terry Curran, who lives on a rural
block about 15km northwest of
Yeppoon, took 18 hours with a chainsaw
to cut himself out.
Lioness Colleen Wassell had a tree
fall on her caravan parked outside, and
tree damage impacted on Lions Glen
Alexander and Bryan Spain and Lioness
Jeanie Cranston and her husband
Dalton. Lion Brian Dorey had 100-yearold 40m high bloodwood tree shattered
with a 20m section weighing about a
tonne and another huge limb weighing
about half a tonne left precariously
hanging.
For the record, overall winners of the
Youth of the Year event were Khrysti
Balanay of St Ursula’s College
representing Yeppoon Lionesses and
Wilson Boyd of St Brendan’s College
representing Yeppoon Lions.
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Cyclone Marcia aid flows in
With 200km-per-hour gusts, this
deadly cyclone left a trail of
destruction, prompting Lions into
quick action to help those
affected by the onslaught
The cruel winds of Cyclone Marcia had barely
abated before Lions aid was flowing in for
Queensland victims.
Yeppoon Lions quickly mustered $20,000 for
relief on the Capricorn Coast and another
$20,000 came in the form of bedding, white
goods, furniture and household utilities donated
by the Santos GLNG natural gas project.
The Santos donation, trucked from a mining
construction camp dismantled in Roma, was
placed in storage donated by local commercial
building company Landsdean.
Yeppoon Lions President, Estelle Lindsay said
her club had allocated $10,000 from its
fundraising reserve for distribution through local
schools to help students of seriously impacted
families with lunches, stationery and uniforms.
Q4 District Governor David Trigg inspected
damage and donated another $10,000 from
LCIF’s emergency fund.
Estelle Lindsay related that after viewing the
town of Byfield, David Trigg made a personal
donation for the restoration of the school grounds
and to help rebuild the school assembly area.
Yeppoon Lions distributed funds and goods
through the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul,
Anglicare, the Red Cross
and Lifeline.
Lions and Lionesses
joined an army of
volunteers who worked
around the clock for two
weeks to provide meals
and to help those impacted
by the worst cyclone in the
area since 1949.
Lions helped to set up
seating and catering at St
Brendan’s College hall, one
of numerous cyclone
shelters.
The cyclone’s violent
path and destructive
200kph gusts across the
coast and Rockhampton
left a trail of 555
structurally damaged
homes and schools, felled
more than a 1000 power
poles, downed many
kilometres of overhead
power lines and left
60,000 homes without
power.
– Brian Dorey
HELPING HANDS: Aid was quickly flowing in
for Cyclone Marcia victims (above right), with
the community and Santos heeding the Lions
call. Goods were initially placed in a loaned
warehouse facility (right).
Peace and understanding triumph in poster contest
Many wonderful Peace Posters were again submitted from all 19 Districts for the
2014/15 national judging of the Peace Poster Contest.
The theme was “Peace, Love and understanding” and after much deliberation the four
judges chose Blake’s poster sponsored by Austimer-Thiroul Lions Club N2 as the
national winner to be submitted to LCI for international judging.
Blake’s quote on peace was “Peace and understanding are essential for all of us to
live happy lives”.
Highly commended was the poster sponsored by the Lions Club of Scarborough W2
and created by Claire who wrote “If we work together and listen to each other, we
can achieve eternal peace”.
At the MD Convention in Newcastle, N2 District Governor Lorraine Mairinger will
be presented with an award to be later passed on to Blake at the Austimer-Thiroul
Lions Club.
Lions are appreciative of the time and effort of the judges, Council Chairman
Warren Latham, Helen Cooney (Chief Executive of the Caroline Chisholm Society),
and Lions Phil Clinkaberry (secondary school teacher) and Brian Williams (YOTY
National Chair).
Each year more clubs are taking on this worthwhile project for our younger youth. The
theme for 2015/16 is “Share Peace”.
View all district winning posters on the website at www.lionsclubs.org.au/pposter.
April - May 2015
PEACE:
Blake’s poster will be Australia’s
entry in the International Peace Poster final.
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LIONS ACTION
STAMP OF
APPROVAL
for Audrey
and Joy
Age is no barrier to Audrey Nutley, 87 (left), and Joy Parker, 90 and still
driving a car, when it comes to raising money for the Australian Lions
Children’s Mobility Foundation.
The two, both members of Victoria’s Drysdale Grove Retirement Village,
are shown here trimming stamps in preparation for sale to aid the ALCMF.
Used stamps are collected by Lions clubs throughout Australia to help
fund the purchase of walkers for children with disabilities.
The stamps are sold through the Australian Lions Stamp Club.
The Stamp Club raised $7,000 from stamps last year, and has donated
more than $30,000 to the foundation over the past 10 years.
Lions, through the foundation, have promised to buy walking aids for
every child in Australia requiring assistance to walk, providing they are
assessed by a fully trained physiotherapist.
Most of the children have cerebral palsy. (The Foundation does not
purchase wheelchairs or gophers.)
Currently 140 walkers are funded a year Australia-wide at a cost of about
$500,000.
Anyone willing to collect and donate used stamps will indirectly be giving
a child the opportunity to walk.
– Trevor Hirth, ALCMF Vic Trustee
The recovery of fire-affected farmers around Kyneton in rural Victoria has been
speeded up by a joint effort of volunteer groups.
Farmers affected in December and January around the Pastoria and Blackhill areas
recently received bales of hay delivered to the local showgrounds. The hay was organised
by far-off Pakenham Lions in Gippsland in conjunction with Victorian disaster-relief
volunteer group the Walking Forward Disaster Relief Team. Kyneton Lions then helped
unload and deliver the hay.
PUTTING IN: Taking a break from unloading hay are (from left) Jenna Kelly (Walking Forward
Disaster Relief Team), Lindsay Potter (Kyneton Lions), Graham Cockerell (President Pakenham
Lions), Allison Horley (President Kyneton Lions) and Dave Quarrell and Gerard Rutter (Kyneton Lions).
6
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125 up for Derek
Lions have joined in a $37 million project to
provide an exciting new facility in the fight
against neurological and neurodegenerative
conditions such as Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s diseases.
As a Category B project, Western Australia’s
Claremont Nedlands and Bull Creek clubs are
leading a campaign to provide essential
equipment for a planned Western Australian
research facility that will benefit all Australians.
The Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute
will provide the McCusker Alzheimer’s Research
Foundation with purpose-built research
laboratories, work spaces and cryogenic archival
storage. The aim is to facilitate interaction and
collaboration among researchers with this
facility heralding a new era in world-class
neurosciences research in Australia.
Over the past decade, Lions clubs have been
strong supporters of prominent Alzheimer’s
disease researcher (and Claremont Nedlands
First smiles
At the end of last year, more than 300
Operation Smile medical volunteers from 23
countries arrived in Vietnam to
commemorate 25 years of providing free cleft
lip and cleft palate surgical procedures to
Vietnamese children.
But there was little time for celebration. The
team screened more than 870 patients in the
first day alone across the cities of Hanoi, Hue, Ho
Chi Minh City, An Giang and Nghe An.
Operation Smile Australia, with the support of
Lions Australia, sent a team of 12 doctors and
nurses.
“I’m from Vietnam and the changes that I’ve
witnessed in my country over the past 25 years
are nothing short of stunning,” said Viet Nguyen,
Associate Vice President of Development in Asia
for Operation Smile. “Children who once would
have spent their entire lives battling the shame
and stigma of cleft can now face the future with
hope.”
Nurse (and Lion) Joan Macrow, part of the
Australian team, said in the first day they saw
213 patients who required surgery.
The team was initially hindered because their
drugs were not cleared by customs in time and
replacement drugs had to be sourced.
“When one sees the fear and trepidation of
our little patients and their parents when we
collect them for surgery, and then the look of
sheer joy and thankfulness on the parent’s’
faces when they first see them again, it is such
a joy,” said Joan Macrow. “This operation not
only changes the child’s life but the whole family
and village, as they are now able to go to school,
learn, work and are also seen as marriageable.
Said PDG David Floyd, Chairman, of Lions
Australia Operation Smile Project: “I thank all of
those clubs throughout the country who donated
to our recent appeal. Your generous support will
see us being able to carry on supporting
Operation Smile Australia for the next 12
months. So far this year we have already funded
three missions.”
Details: David Floyd – 07 3892 7130 or
[email protected]
Lions member) Professor Ralph Martins, Director
of Research at the McCusker Foundation.
In late 2013, local clubs took on the challenge
of raising $5 million for equipment for Professor
Martins’ new laboratories in the new facility.
ON PATROL: There were plenty of willing workers when
the Lions Club of Sydney Nepal Himalaya took part in Clean
Up Australia day at Sydney’s Simmos Beach.
To date, $59,700 has been raised and much
more is needed.
The building is due to be completed late next
year.
Professor Martins has spoken to many clubs
around Australia. If four or five clubs can get
together, project organisers are happy to try to
arrange for Professor Ralph Martins to visit
and speak. For details, call Lion Jenny Gill on
0419910681 or email
[email protected].
April - May 2015
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Lions at work
Lions iPads
give new voice
to ASD kids
he IT revolution and a dedicated band of
Lions are making the lives of more than
100 young sufferers of autism disorders and
their families a little more tolerable.
The key is the iPad.
In two years, iPads installed with software
tailored to sufferers of Autism Spectrum Disorders
T
“The life of a young
person where thoughts,
feelings and needs are
held in silence can
become one where
interaction, expression
and learning are
possible”
Lugarno’s project coordinator Elvio Munzone
hands over a cheque for $21,376.
8
8
have been given to 120 children in the Sydney
region as part of the ASD Kids Communicate
Project, coordinated by Sydney’s Lugarno Lions and
support group Autism Community Network (ACN).
The iPads are regarded as a “missing link” in
establishing communication with non-verbal
children with ASD.
The inability to communicate effectively, a major
ASD impairment, hinders learning and literacy and
puts up barriers to social and emotional
development and independence.
Yet with an iPad and special software called P2G,
the life of a young person where thoughts, feelings
and needs are held in silence can become one where
interaction, expression and learning are possible.
The iPad uses images, sounds and words, and
allows access to many innovative autism
specialised applications. Parents are also offered
training in how to best use the iPad.
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect about one in
every 110 children in Australia.
In two years, 16 Lions clubs and one Lioness
club from N5 have contributed $37,500 to the
Kids Communicate Project, with a further $41,400
coming from the Australian Lions Foundation, LCIF
and the St. George Foundation).
The project sprang from an earlier Lugarno
Lions-launched project to encourage clubs to seek
out and assist ASD groups in their areas.
Thanks to the project, parents are reporting
increased motivation, initiation of communication,
and reduced child frustration in their children.
Some say their children are able to point to
pictures on the iPads to make their needs known.
Seven-year-old Robbie, for instance, is now able to
answer questions on his iPad, such as giving his
name and age.
Some family recipients of iPads have been
involved in follow-up research to determine the
strengths and weaknesses of the system.
LEARN MORE: For a fuller report, visit
http://lionsclubs.org.au/activities/disabilities/autism/
To assist, contact Elvio Munzone,
[email protected] or Claudia Walters at
[email protected].
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Superheroes I have known
The N5 Chairman of the Australian Lions Children's
Mobility Foundation, Greg English, pays tribute to a special
group of people
have the best job in the world. I get to see
and speak to real superheroes all the time.
I watch them in action not saving the world but
just living their lives the best way they can when
nothing they or their families do is easy . Life for
these heroes must be like swimming in quicksand,
always exhausted, moving forward always an effort
and never being able to stop or rest. The little things
are hard for them but they also embrace the little
pleasures and successes and these little things keep
them afloat.
I am referring to the children and families living
under the weight of cerebral palsy. The children’s
super powers are that they are stoic, brave, patient
and never give up. They are used to hospitals,
doctors, nurses, ambulances, needles, operations
and lots of pain. They are continually surrounded by
strangers trying to help.
Mum uses a super smile as a shield against the
things life throws at them and her never -ending
commitment to the welfare of her child and family is
her superpower.
You don’t see much of the fathers. They stay
dressed in their secret identity whether it is blue
shirt or white shirt and spend most of their time
away from their families working hard to fight their
nemesis, the multitude of expenses they face ... and
having a disabled child in a family means lots of
expenses. Medical bills, school fees, buying walkers,
buying wheelchairs, special beds and other special
equipment, a bigger car to move walkers and
wheelchairs, and nurses to help with all the medical
issues that some of these children have. Trips to the
hospital which for some children are frequent and
costly and making expensive modifications to
houses to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers,
building ramps throughout the house because the
house is there before the child and not made to
accommodate superheroes.
I
April
- May
2015
April
- May
2015
As you know, every superhero has a sidekick.
Lions are sidekicks for the heroes. We help with one
little thing that makes a great difference to these
children, a machine that lets them stand up and
walk. These walkers are like Batman’s utility belt,
they help children walk, they help them grow as tall
as they can, they strengthen their bones and
muscles, help them breath, and they strengthen
their confidence. One of the greatest things we do
by giving our heroes this utility belt is that we show
them that there is someone outside of their family
who cares enough to help them in their daily battle
against a terrible disease.
The Lions of N5 (and indeed all those elsewhere)
can be proud that they are the best sidekicks in
Australia. In the past four years they have provided
funding for 89 walkers for our superheroes at a cost
of around $390,000. Well done Sidekicks. I thought
you might like to see some of our heroes pictured
here.
“Life for these heroes
must be like swimming in
quicksand, always
exhausted, moving
forwards always an effort
and never being able to
stop and rest”
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THE LIONS CLUB OF THE FUTURE
Times change and Lions need to
change to keep up and even ahead of
the changes. PDG John Muller looks at
an innovative way of moving forward
In this changing world, change is constant
and those who do not, can not or will not
change on many occasions get left behind.
The club structure that has ser ved us well for
almost 100 years may not be the most appropriate
model that will serve us best in the future.
In other words, the club as we know it today may
not be a “real club” or a “whole club” in years to
come. Society is demanding that we be inclusive of
those with disability, the young and the aged,
working couples, early retirees etc, so how do we
best cater for the total community spectrum within
our club structure? How do we best provide a
“pathway to Lions” for our maturing Leos and young
professionals, baby boomers and those special
interest groups or the volunteers who like to get
involved with a one-off particular project or event.
Please consider the following model – based on
our own Australian gumnut tree – and as presented
by our Executive Officer Rob Oerlemans at a
Leo/Lion Summit at the Hamburg Convention. It is a
model where multiple club branches can work
together under one “parent” Lions club, where each
branch can be its own ‘pod’. It is a model where
several club branches – each with its own niche but
which are part of the same “parent club” – can
support each other with events, projects and
activities. The parent becomes the “administrative
hub”, and supports the rest.
In the above model, the parent club may consist
of those members aged, say, 35–70, who provide
all of the administrative support, technical
knowledge and major project organisational skills
for the group. The club branch structure could be:• Club Branch A – Young professionals
monthly breakfast club
• Club Branch B – Senior Lions who can no
longer do the heavy lifting but still want to
undertake projects and activities within their
capabilities. They may meet fortnightly over
lunch for a social exchange, and plan
their activities at the same time.
• Club Branch C – Leo/Lion
Club
• Club Branch D –
School based Teachers
& Parents Group (who
organise their annual
school fete and other
school related funding
programs).
• Club Branch E –
Military Club – either
serving or retired/veteran
members (who have a strong
sense of camaraderie from their
time working in groups within the
military discipline).
• Club Branch F – The local
football club who may also
work with the Leo/Lion branch
club on joint projects to provide the youth of the
community with alternative activities to keep them
away from other temptations (e.g. drugs).
• Club Branch G – Special interest group or
people with disabilities
• Club Branch H – Ethnic or Cultural Diversity
Group
As shown, the possibilities here are endless and
could in fact throw a lifeline to some of our existing
small clubs who are struggling in those
communities where there is “fly in fly out” mining,
reducing population within remote townships etc.
Perhaps those existing struggling clubs could
continue as club branches to one large provincial or
regional hub club – rather than simply die and thus
deprive those small towns of a Lions presence.
I welcome your
The gumnut tree – a way forward!
thoughts, and also issue a challenge! Some clubs
already do have a club branch or club branches
attached to them. Which club would like to be the
first to take on (say) five club branches as a trial for
say two years, so that we can get some definitive
feedback and results of challenges faced,
achievements and progress made over the period to
share with our whole Lions Family? I would love to
hear from you.
PDG John Muller
GMT Area Leader MD201
Mob 0407 114687
Cal gets new wheels
Callaghan Shepherd has spent the last six months watching
other kids running and playing at recess, but after a donation
from the Lions Club of Broken Hill he’s back in the game.
“Cal”, who has cerebral palsy, received a specially designed Mustang
walker valued at $4,000.
The walker is customisable and can be adjusted as Cal grows, and
should provide him with the gift of mobility for years to come.
It replaces an old walker that had far less mobility .
At the handover, Cal said he was looking forward to playing “chase
and tag” with his schoolmates at recess.
OFF AND AWAY: Cal (right) gets some last-minute advice from No vita
Children’s Services physiotherapist Kate Nicholson before going for a spin
in his new walker. Picture courtesy Barrier Daily Truth.
10
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Your chance to lend a hand to idyllic Norfolk
Suffering the effects of economic
downturn, this Pacific paradise offers
Lions the opportunity to help out while
enjoying a fabulous holiday
In January 2013, N5’s District Governor Greg
Dunn and several senior Lions visited the
Lions Clubs of Norfolk Island and Arthurs Vale
and Norf’k Ailen Leo Club as part of his
official visit.
Greg’s team was disturbed to see shutters
covering many of the once thriving businesses.
Although very welcoming and friendly, the Island
seemed to lack some of the bounce it had
previously shown.
Indications were that there had been a significant
reduction in the number of residents and also what
appeared to be a significant decrease in tourism.
As part of the official visit, meetings were held
with the Administrator and the Chief Minister. At
both of these, and with reference to the group’s
previous observations, they posed the question
“How can Lions on the mainland together with
those on the Island be of ser vice to your
April - May 2015
community?” Both of these meetings virtually
indicated it as being out of Lions’ hands.
Funding cuts due to the economic downturn
had reduced the capacity to promote
tourism, the major source of revenue for the
Island. This reduction in income and resultant
hardship had caused, and is still causing,
residents to leave the Island, often leading to
the breakdown of the family unit.
When 2nd Vice District Governor Joanne
Sim nominated Norfolk Island as the site for
her 2015 Convention (September 29-31,
ISLAND PARADISE: The call is out for Lions to enjo y a
2015), it opened an opportunity to increase
wonderful holiday while attending a convention and helping
the possible benefit the Island would normally boost Norfolk Island’s economy. Picture Wikimedia
receive from its own Lions clubs hosting the
and fellowship. Norfolk Experience! An experience
convention.
you will hopefully never forget.
The District team decided to initiate the “Norfolk
By just being there, by enjoying the Island’s
Experience” and issue an invitation to ever yone
hospitality
and by having fun in this special place,
from Constitutional Area 7 to join them on their own
you
will
help
their economy. You will be SERVING
piece of paradise and at the same time enjoy a
the people of Norfolk Island.
fantastic holiday with lots of friends.
Have you been to Norfolk Island? Isn’t it about
For those convention addicts, they will be catered
time
you went? Could you imagine a better time to
for with the opportunity to attend the N5
go?
If
so, send an expression of interest to
Convention, and for others there’s the advantage of
[email protected].
a holiday together with Lions from all over, enjoying
– PDG Greg Dunn
each other’s company and combining in real fun
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Centennial Celebration Membership Awards announced
New program geared to
recruiting Lions and
starting new clubs
Conroe Noon Lions in Texas rang in 2015 with
18 new members, boosting its membership to
299. The club found people who wanted what
the club offered. “Helping folks in need” was
the answer a new Lion gave when asked why
she joined. “Getting to know the good people
in the club” was another response. “Service is
my passion,” said a third.
The hope is that other clubs experience the same
success in adding new members as Lions Clubs
International’s centennial in 2017 approaches. Lions
Clubs International is not leaving membership
growth to chance. The Membership Awards
Program in conjunction with the centennial has
begun. From April 1 to June 30, 2018, Lions and
clubs that bring in new members or sponsor clubs
will be recognised with attractive pins, certificates
and banner patches.
“This is a great opportunity to ser ve by
increasing our ability to ser ve,” says International
President Joe Preston. “I encourage every Lion and
club to be dedicated to enhancing our capability to
serve by recruiting new Lions and starting new
clubs.”
A Lion who sponsors a new member between
April 1, 2015, and June 30, 2018, will be
recognised as a centennial sponsor and will receive
a limited-edition pin and certificate. A Lion who
assists in chartering a new club between April 1
and June 2018 also will receive a limited-edition
pin and certificate. Multiple Lions can be credited
with chartering a new club.
12
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL CER TIFICATE OF
Centennial Club Organization
Presented to
For providing the greatest assistance
in the organization
of a new Centennial Lions Club, as
determined by the district governor.
FPO
District Governor
The awards program includes progressive levels
of recognition. If a new member or new club
remains in good standing for a year and a day , the
responsible Lion (or Lions) will be recognised as a
Silver Centennial Lion and receive another limitededition pin. A Gold Centennial Lion will be likewise
honoured if a new member or club remains in good
standing for two years and a day. Diamond
Centennial Lions are honoured for new members or
clubs in good standing after three years and day .
Good standing means international per capita taxes
are paid in full and there is no outstanding balance
of $50 or more that is 90 days past due.
Silver Centennial Lions also will have their name
displayed on LCI’s website. Gold Centennial Lions
get their name displayed and will be recognised at
area forums and at district and multiple district
conventions. Diamond Centennial Lions will receive
the same recognition as well as be listed in the
LION Magazine.
Clubs also can achieve various levels of
recognition for adding to membership. A Premier
Centennial Lions Club is one that inducts at least
three new members during 2015, 2016 or 2017.
The new members must remain active for two years
and a day. Or a Premier Centennial Lions Club is
one that sponsors a new club during 2015, 2016 or
2017. The new club must remain active for two
years and a day.
Once the new club has been active for two years
and a day, Premier Centennial Lions Clubs receive a
banner patch, recognition on the LCI website, a
virtual banner recognition and recognition at the
international convention, area forums, district and
multiple district conventions.
A World Class Centennial Lions Club is one that
inducts at least three new members each year in
2015, 2016 and 2017 and sponsors a new club
during 2015, 2016 or 2017. World Class clubs
receive the same honor as Premier clubs but also
receive a special award presented by the district
governor and a special custom pin for each active
club member and will be listed in the LION.
Complete details are listed on the LCI website.
GETTING GROWING: Clubs worldwide are adding
members. Clubs in Multiple District 300 Taiwan swear
in new members (pictured below) on a visit by
International President Joe Preston.
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AIDAN
COMES OUT
SWINGING
...and a Lions club takes
pride in its ability to serve.
Bill Barnes reports on an
amazing young man
Lions serve. One joy of service is the vicarious
thrill of knowing we play at least a small part
in the successes of our service recipients.
Aidan Barry, 17, from Marion in Adelaide’s
southern suburbs, is providing a lot of thrills for
Adelaide Italian Lions.
We initially got involved in a drive to raise about
$45,000 to get Aidan an Assistance Dog after first
determining that we couldn’t supply one by
modifying the training of our Hearing Dogs.
Explains Aidan: “An Assistance Dog can carry
shopping, press pedestrian crossing buttons and
help with daily chores like pulling laundr y from the
washing machine.”
The “almost” straight A student (“I got a B in year
11 English”) at Sacred Heart College was born with
multiple health issues.
“Aidan had his first open heart surger y at two
weeks,” says mum Bernadette ”Bernie” Barry,
adding he’s had three more open-heart procedures
and two “closed” procedures including the fitting of
a pacemaker. (As this magazine went to press
additional surgery was due to replace that
pacemaker.)
Aidan also has vision and hearing problems and
a lung condition he describes as “asthma-like”. He
has normal legs and feet. He has hands on arms
now about 15cm long but only operable on the right
side.
So, all this is enough to keep a young fellow
down, awaiting the final count, right? Wrong! Aidan
displays constant drive and will to succeed, and it is
obvious where he gets it from.
April - May 2015
“Some men see things as they are and ask, Why;
I dream things that never were and ask, Why not?”
Bernie explains that this, her guiding philosophy,
originated with Robert Kennedy.
“I was told I could never drive a car ,” recalls
Bernie, who replied, “of course I can. We just have
to find out how.” She drives daily.
Aidan has adopted her attitude, choosing to see
opportunities instead of problems. He explains by
adapting computer game terminology: “Having a
physical disability is like playing Life in Hard Mode.”
Aidan’s golf career began with an interest at 4,
playing at 7, and taking over coordination of golf for
persons with disabilities at 14. He plays both
ordinary, single-stroke golf and Ambrose Rules.
In this adaptation, a foursome tees off as usual
from a single point. One player’s ball, of course,
lands nearest the hole. The other three players then
move their balls to that spot so all players play all
their second shots from that same point.
Aidan is captain and honourar y administrative
officer of the No Handicap Golf Club run through
Disability Recreation and Sport South Australia
(DRSSA), where Bernie is a board member.
The club was originated as the SA Amputee Golf
Association by Gary Hart, who had lost part of a leg
and who has since died, and is now open to
persons, especially young people, with disabilities.
Bernie and Aidan cite benefits. “There are kids
with autism who would never open their mouths, ”
says Bernie, “but they’ll talk about their golf game.”
Marion City Council’s Young Citizen of the Year
for 2015, S.A. Winner of the Courage Award in the
2014 Pride of Australia list, and a member of the
Youth Brains Trust of Australia, Aidan does a lot of
public speaking to raise awareness of the benefits
of sport for persons with disabilities.
“I am really grateful to DRSSA and Lions for their
support to get an assistance dog – it doesn’t
happen without generous people like yourselves,”
says Aidan.
One of his long-term goals is to study law at
university. Another is “to get golf accepted into the
Paralympics and to win a gold medal”. Adelaide
Italian Lions are taking no bets at any odds against
his getting there.
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From Council Chairman Warren
Hello to all Fellow
Lions, Lionesses and
Leos...
We are now
approaching the last
quarter of the Lions Year.
Current DGs are finalising
the actions and activities
that have been in the
planning and implementation stages for at least the
past 18 months.
Incoming DGs and their teams are in the final
stages of planning prior to the implementation of
their action plans commencing on 1 July. In many
cases District and Club trainings will all be held in
May/June.
Why all of this feverish activity?
There are many answers to this. Initially, it is all
about getting ready to better ser ve our
communities and to make sure that we are meeting
the challenges and change in community needs
and services.
It is also about involving our members; giving
them a sense of involvement and eventually a
sense of pride in the results achieved; it is about
making sure that we increase our visibility in our
communities.
We have our March to May Membership Drive.
Included with this is the ‘ASK 1 KEEP 1’
membership promotion. The emphasis is that not
only do we need to promote and invite new
members, but we need to look after, encourage,
involve and support all members. Successful
implementation of this approach will help in the
‘Stop the Drops’ Program.
The election of our new Club Officers and
Boards will invigorate clubs with these officials
bringing new ideas and projects.
If we continue with these ideas and the many
more in IP Joe Preston’s ‘Strengthen the Pride’
theme, we will increase our membership and
increase our ability to better ser ve our
communities.
FROM THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT
In recent times communities in South Australia
and Western Australia have been seriously
impacted by bushfires and even more recently
Cyclone Marcia caused devastation in Queensland
communities.
Many clubs will be supporting the fire relief
efforts throughout the states and these clubs will
also be in a position to directly assist those
communities impacted.
Clubs who wish to donate or undertake
collections for this appeal should send those funds
collected through to their Cabinet Treasurer who
will on forward direct to the Australian Lions
Foundation.
The Australian Lions Foundation will collect
donations being made from districts and will
distribute those funds direct to the areas through
the District administration to commence assistance.
Congratulations to DGs Rosemary Wenham (C1),
Maxine Whitely (W2) and David Trigg (Q4) and their
teams for the immediate response within their
districts and the efforts provided to those needing
assistance.
By the time this article goes to print, one of our
premier programs, The Youth of the Year 2015
Program will have been completed in all states and
we look forward to another incredible group of
young people presenting themselves for the
Multiple District Final. It is extremely important that
clubs continue to support this program and the
youth of our communities.
The 2014 national winner, Jordan Green,
together with all state winners participated in a
youth camp in New Zealand and then spent an
enjoyable week in Western Australia, Jordan’s
home state.
Clubs and club members are asked to again
consider hosting young people from overseas as
part of this year’s Youth Exchange Program. Clubs
may consider organising a ‘host-for-a-day-roster’ of
club members. This way the wonderful experience
of hosting an exchange student can be shared by
many within the club.
Please contact your Youth Exchange District
Coordinator for further information.
Is your club entering the ‘Lions Happiest Club
Award’? Entries close on 10th of April – further
details can be found on the website.
I have also been advised that MD201 is the
recipient of a Leo Club Extension Award for 201314.This award recognises the outstanding efforts in
the extension of Leos clubs in the Multiple District
with at least five new Leo clubs being formed.
Congratulations to the 2013-14 Council Chairman
Gary Parker and the 2013-14 Multiple District Leo
Club Chairperson Martin Peebles.
One item on the agenda will be a motion to
increase MD dues – please consider and support
this motion.
With the end of our Lions year fast approaching,
there are three MD Conventions within our
Constitutional Area that will take place during April
/May. MD202 is in Napier, New Zealand from 2426 April; MD307 is in Jakarta from 7-9 May; and
of course our own MD201 in Newcastle from 1-4
May.
Have you registered yet? Don’t leave your
registration until the last minute. The Convention
Committee have included, for your absolute
enjoyment, a wide range of social functions within
the Convention program.
Until we meet in Newcastle, wear your badge
proudly and keep working on your wonderful
projects, be they national or local projects
supporting your communities. Those four principal
focus areas of Humanitarian Ser vice, Major Disaster
Relief, Sight and the Encouragement of Youth with
a possible fifth focus being Medical Research, give
us the commitment to stay focused as we are
“Serving and Growing Together”.
Marilyn and I are really looking forward to
meeting you all in Newcastle.
– Warren Latham
From Executive Officer Rob
ON SUCCESS…
I once worked for a
gentleman who had many
“mantras” but one that
always stuck in my mind
was:
“My managers should
never fear failure. I’m
always suspicious of a manager who never makes
14
mistakes; it probably means they aren’t doing
anything.”
His message was simple, the pathway to success
is littered with many little mistakes and failures.
Each small failure provides a learning opportunity,
and ultimately (with care and intelligence) is likely to
lead to innovation and success. (Mind you, his
tolerance for mistakes was conditional that those
errors resulted from the ‘unknowable and
unplannable’ rather than negligence, for which he
had no tolerance.)
One of the nicest things about our organisation is
that we reward success; thanks and
acknowledgement provide great motivation to our
members, who work so hard and diligently for our
humanitarian causes. In this environment,
however, it is easy to harshly judge those who
work enthusiastically and diligently but often
don’t achieve their planned outcomes, through
no fault of their own..
We have a Lions ethic that covers this area, but
my simple version is:
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“Support me when I fail, congratulate me when I
succeed and work beside me on all the bits in
between.”
ON ENJOYMENT AND FUN…
Most of us seek to join a Lions Club because we
have a passion for a particular cause; to find a cure
for cancer, to help rebuild our community after a
disaster, to share leadership skills and our interest in
philanthropy with the young. These are powerful
motivators to seek out a Lions Club that shares our
passion.
Most of us stay with a Lions Club for ver y
different reasons. The cause remains important but
we stay because we build friendships with likeminded people, we build strong bonds through
shared experiences and in simple terms share fun
and laughter with our colleagues.
In my own view, Lions shouldn’t be
serious business.
I had the pleasure to view a sneak preview of a
video from a Lions Club who will be entering the
‘Happiest Lions Club’ competition. This short video
April - May 2015
that included a few photos showed a ver y
productive Lions Club where the members clearly
enjoy each other’s company and have a great time
together.
There is still time to enter, so if you would like to
share your club’s happiness, head over to the Lions
Australia website for details on how to enter.
Finally, the Lions National Office team and I are
looking forward to welcoming you to our home for
our Annual Convention in Newcastle this year.
There is still time to register.
If you are coming to Newcastle, please try to
drop into your National Office for a look around. We
are planning two “Open Day” times for your visit.
l Thursday 30 April –12 noon – 3:00pm
l Tuesday 5 May – 9:00am – 12:00 noon
– Rob Oerlemans
gardens • music • arts • culture
DUNEIRA
A heritage house & garden
one hour from Melbourne
Group tours welcome, with
catering by arrangement
Bookings essential
Call 03 5426 1490
www.duneira.com.au
15
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FROM THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
MARCH TO MAY
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
How are you and your club going with our
major Membership Growth campaign for this
year?
By now one month has already passed, and I
would hope that all clubs are now well into their
own recruiting and club awareness activities as part
of the campaign.
If you or your club is struggling for ideas,
perhaps a couple of these tips and “best practice”
ideas from other successful club promotions may
help:• Have a specific activity that your club can
concentrate on. This could range from a “bring a
friend night” to recruitment wheel activity at a club
meeting to build a list of prospects, a shopping
centre manned display, a free raffle, ladies “high
tea”, women’s and family symposium, community
connector forum – the list is endless and there are
many resources available both on the web, in your
District and at MD level to support you
• Have your club commit to a “Nett New Member
Inducted” number for the campaign. In other words,
if you wish to induct two new members but lose
one during the period, then you need to induct
three new members. Confirm that in writing with
your club members, and seek their commitment to
achieve the goal.
• "Best Practice" success across the clubs in your
Zone and District. If something works well for one
club, share it with all the rest so that all may be
successful. And please share it with me too, so that
I can share it across the MD.
• Set you own personal "new member" goal, and
communicate that to the rest of your club
members. Strong leaders "lead from the front" and
“model the way” for others. Provide regular updates
of your personal goal successes, and use this as a
lever to motivate your team.
I hope this helps, and please remember that
there are many resources available to help you to
be successful. Your District GMT Team including
Zone Chairpersons, the MD GMT Team including
50/50 Pathway Champions – and most importantly
for your District, the New Club Consultants under
PCC Lou Onley. Why not link a whole new club of
new Charter Members to your campaign. Lou and
his team are ready and waiting to support YOU.
If you need help, or have any questions in regard
to the above, please do not hesitate to call me. I am
only a click of the keyboard or a phone call away!
PDG john Muller
GMT Area Leader MD201
Mob 0407 114687
Email: [email protected]
16
166
Multiple District Constitution & Projects
avoiding the present necessity to await the
As is generally known, any Multiple District
conduct of an annual Convention.
Convention can approve the conduct of a
Needless to say, any Multiple District
Multiple District Project which can be
Convention would also have the right to direct
broadly described as an activity involving
the Council to issue a Licence to Fundraise.
Clubs on a national basis, conducted for
A number of existing Categor y “B” Projects
charitable or benevolent purposes.
involve appeals for financial support and do not
The approval, from a practical point of view ,
involve, or require, any active physical
gives the Club or District managing the activity
participation. It must follow that the approval of
the right to approach each Club within the
the availability to seek a Licence to Fundraise will
Multiple District seeking its support. If the project
reduce the future number of Categor y “B”
is a Category “B” Project, the Constitution
Projects submitted for consideration by a Multiple
provides that no more than 10 such projects may
District Convention. On that basis the existing
be conducted at any one time.
limit of 10 such projects could be maintained.
The restriction is intended, firstly to ensure
It is proposed that should any
that all proposed projects are
Club of District simply wish to
properly evaluated before
solicit funds for the benefit of a
adoption and, secondly, to
charitable or benevolent purpose
prevent an “over supply”. The
and no physical or active efforts be
“more” of anything reduces its
required:
value and importance.
(i) An application for a Licence to
It is fair to say that the
Fundraise could be made to
restriction on the number of
Council at any Council Meeting.
projects has occasioned some
(ii) An application could be
disquiet. At the 2014 Multiple
immediately approved on terms
District Convention the
By David Skinner
acceptable for Council for a period
restriction prevented the
Legal Officer
not exceeding 15 months but
adoption of several proposed
renewable upon request by
projects. Such a situation arose
only because, at that Convention, all then existing Council.
(iii) Approval would require the consent of a three
projects were submitted for review. Such a
quarters majority of District Governors then
situation is unlikely to occur again for some time.
present and voting.
Projects may involve:
Should Council be empowered to issue a
(a) Some physical and active efforts by a Club.
Licence to Fundraise, it would be necessar y to
(b Some physical and active efforts by a Club for
amend the definition of a Multiple District Project
the purpose of raising funds for the payment of a
to be an activity then “not limited solely to the
donation for charitable or benevolent purposes.
raising of funds”.
(c) The payment of a donation for charitable or
If the proposal is adopted:
benevolent purposes.
(i) Category “B” Projects can focus on Projects
Many involve a suggested physical activity for
representing the community service work of
the purpose of raising funds for the benefit of a
Lions.
charitable or benevolent institution. Some
(ii) Lions can more flexibly respond to requests
projects simply request a donation.
for funding that meet our humanitarian goals,
Unless previously adopted as a project, any
through the issuing of Licences.
organisation wishing to approach Clubs for a
(iii) Requests for Licences can identify potential
donation must receive the prior approval of the
opportunities for future projects and partnerships.
District Governor of the District in which the Club
The Council of Governors intend to submit
is situated. If the Council of Governors were
Notices of Motion in relation to the matter for the
granted authority to approve such an approach
consideration of delegates at the Newcastle
on a national level – by the issuing of a Licence
Convention.
to Fundraise – any Club could apply to the
PCC David Skinner OAM
Council for such a licence and avoid the difficulty
Legal Officer
of seeking a Convention’s approval to the
adoption of a project which merely seeks
donations for a worthwhile cause. An application
could be made to Council at any Council Meeting
Lion
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FROM THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT
Why Lions at MD Convention should support a dues increase
Friends in the Lions Family,
At the forthcoming Multiple District
Convention in Newcastle, the Council of
Governors will be putting two motions to
members to increase dues over the
coming years.
The proposal is to increase dues to $37.00
(including GST) per member per annum from
1st July 2015, to $40.00 (including GST) per
member per annum from 1st July 2016, then
to $43.00 (including GST) per member per
annum from 1st July 2017. It is then
proposed to have CPI increases annually
thereafter.
The present financial position of the
Multiple District is sound however our
income base continues to decrease while our
expenses continue to increase. This is not
sustainable long term. Council believes it is
prudent to act now rather than wait until our
position becomes critical. They have not
taken this decision lightly and are of the view
that this is a necessar y step to maintain the
future viability of Lions Australia.
As you would be aware Lions policy is that
all monies raised from the public is returned
to the public, hence no public monies are
used for administrative purposes. This sets
us apart from most other community ser vice
providers where often less than 50% of their
funds raised are returned.
The Multiple District is the administrative
arm of Lions in Australia and Papua New
Guinea and facilitates and supports the
efforts of our members in the Clubs and
Foundations who perform community ser vice
– locally, nationally and internationally. The
Multiple District does not raise monies from
the public.
The primary source of income to fund our
administration
is membership
Year
Membership
dues. As
1980
35,659
membership
numbers fall,
1990
31,823
dues income
1997
29,023
also falls.
The table at
2007
27,305
left illustrates
2012
27,473
the fall in
membership
2013
27,135
numbers in our
2014
26,936
April - May 2015
Multiple District in recent times:
• Actively seek lower cost venues for
The dues are required to pay the following
Conventions
administrative costs:
• Reduce the number of committees and
• The cost of running the National Office –
expand the use of teleconferencing for
occupancy costs, wages, etc
meetings
• The cost of funding the Council of
• Reduce the cost of printing, postage and
Governors, Council meetings, the Council
freight through the increased use of
Chairman and the Management Group
electronic media.
• The cost of holding the Multiple District
However, the point has now been reached
Convention at a different location each year .
where further cuts are not viable without
LCI charges US$100 for this opportunity .
seriously affecting the number and standard
(Conventioneers at the MD Convention only
of services offered by the Multiple District.
pay for hospitality costs)
Services used and valued by Clubs,
• Travelling expenses for invited Multiple
Foundations and members ever y day.
District officers to attend
Australia is a large geographical
District Conventions
area which is expensive to ser vice
• The net cost of producing
and when we consider the range
and posting the Lion
and scope of the ser vices we
magazine
receive for our fees we receive
• The cost of funding the
good value. In recent years you
Global Membership Team
will have seen improved
activities
professionalism in our public
• The cost of funding the
image and greater visibility
Global Leadership Team
through improved public
By Bruce Unwin
activities
perceptions. To achieve and
National Treasurer
Over recent years the
maintain these standards costs
Multiple District has worked
hard to avoid this request for a dues
increase. It has endeavoured to find
additional sources of (administration) income
and cut costs wherever possible.
In 2012 we tendered for, and were
successful in gaining, the Secretariat
services for Apex Australia. The margin on
the provision of these ser vices was a
welcome boost to our operating income.
Unfortunately at the end of the contract in
October 2014 Apex took these ser vices back
in-house.
Many of you will have felt the effects of
the cost cutting measures introduced, which
included:
• Reduce core staffing – particularly the use
of temporary and casual staff resulting in
slower turnaround times for filling Club
Supplies orders and other requests from
members
• Reduce the number of Council and
Management Group meetings and seek lower
cost venues for these meetings
• Reduce the payments made under the
Convention Fares Equalisation provisions
money.
As we are all well aware, real costs are
increasing faster than CPI and there has not
been an above CPI increase for eight years.
There was no increase at all in 2011/2012.
Five year financial projections have been
prepared and they indicate that we will be in
a difficult financial position within this period
should these dues increases not be
approved.
An increase in dues now will see the
Multiple District remain in a sound position
and your organisation operate as you expect
– a vital and efficient support vehicle for all
activities we undertake as Lions.
I hope the information contained in this
report will help you understand the
importance of this request and assist you in
making the decision to support your Council
of Governors’ recommendations.
17
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Discovering gold in Lions International Youth Exchange
From panning for gold to driving the spectacular Great Ocean Road and
getting up close with our wildlife, Lions International Youth Exchange
participant Cheng Fern Ni from Malaysia saw most of Victoria’s
highlights.
Fern spent the Christmas holidays as the guest of Creswick Lions
Bernardette and Pat Tacey.
Fern chose Australia because she was fascinated with our vast countr y and
its delightful weather – although she queried the five degrees on arrival at
Tullamarine Airport.
Bernardette and Pat’s itinerary for Fern took in Christmas celebrations, local
history around Creswick, the Grampians and much more.
Fern also got to experience life on a sheep farm with a visit to friends in
Tooborac.
Fern’s adventurous and pleasant nature saw her take on many challenges,
trying new and different foods and making many new friends.
She listed as highlights the drive along the Great Ocean Road, the penguins
at Phillip Island, the sun setting over the rocks at Tooborac and riding a quad
bike to help feed the animals on a visit to a sheep farm.
Have you always wanted to see the National Office in Newcastle
and are you attending the Newcastle Convention in May 2015?
START–UP: Margherita, on the far left, is the Bologna club’s
Charter Secretary, while the President of their sponsoring Lions
club is the woman in the centre of the group.
Aussie experience helps grow Lionism in Italy
International youth exchanges can open many exciting doors. That was the
case after last year’s hosting by Queensland’s Lions Club of North Lakes of
two youth exchange students, Margherita Rangoni (Italy) and Can Alp
(Turkey).
The students were hosted by Lions Bruce and Diane Unwin and, since arriving
home in Bologna, Margherita has contacted her host family with news that several
youth exchange students from Bologna who took part in the program last year met
up at a luncheon in September and decided to form the first Leo Club in Bologna.
All had such fantastic experiences abroad they wanted to become involved in the
Lions movement. The club was due to form with 13 members. “In their own words,
they are very excited to join the Lions world and can’t wait to do some good in their
community,” said Diane Unwin, President of North Lakes Inc.
18
The MD201 National Office will be holding open days around the 2015
Newcastle Convention to show our devoted Lions through the National Office.
When:
Thursday 30th April 2015 between 12pm and 3pm. The National Office
will be closing at 3pm to assist with the final set up of the Convention.
Tuesday 5th May 2015 between 9am and 12pm
Where:
31-33 Denison Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302
The National Office is located 1.5km (20 minute walk) from the Civic
Precinct via Hunter Street.
You do not need to RSVP, please come to the National Office between
the above times and one of our staff members will take you on a tour of
the National Office.
The 2015 Newcastle Convention:
Do you still need to register for the 2015 National Convention in
Newcastle? You can do so via this link –
http://lionsclubs.org.au/conventions/newcastle-2015/newcastleconvention-registration/
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CHUG-A-LONG
FOR AN ANGEL
Trekking around Australia in T Model Fords
It was a trip to end all trips – a 15,000km,
three-and-a-half-month awareness and
fundraising ramble around Australia travelling
in a 1923 T Model Ford along with two other T
Models plus a back-up team.
Organised by Morayfield & District Lions Club to
aid Angel Flight, it involved Morayfield Lion Lindsay
Bell and his wife Val, Merv and Margaret Kroll and
two American travellers.
Three years in the planning, the trip involved the
group setting off from Caboolture Centenar y Lakes
in Queensland on 31st August.
So how did it all go? Q3 Public Relations Officer
Lyn Pysden seeks the details from Lindsay Bell, a
T Model restorer, a Lion of 26 years and a former
Angel Flight volunteer pilot.
What inspired the trip?
The aim was to raise awareness and funds for
Angel Flight, a charity that gets no government help
and transports people by air from the countr y to
city hospitals free of charge using volunteer pilots
and aircraft, and earth angels on the ground. As a
retired pilot, I was unable to fly for them any more
and took on the role of an earth angel. I have been
involved in up to 150 missions.
What vehicles were used and were you
sponsored by local companies in any way?
A 1917 centre-door sedan pulling a tear -drop
van, a 1923 ute and a 1926 ute pulling a tear -drop
van. Our back-up was an F150 ute and single-axle
trailer. Our main sponsor and funds controller was
the Morayfield Lions Club.
April - May 2015
Were there any problems along
the way?
Many. Here Lindsay Bell lists a
litany of annoyances, including:
– The 1923 ute requiring
regular top-ups because of a fuel
supply problem
– An alternator problem at
Biloela, Queensland that eventually cost $750 all
up
– Shrinking of the timber wheel spokes due to
dry air and heat
– Over-heated radiators
– A replaced universal on the 1917 T Model
– A broken axle and lost wheel on the Nullarbor
Plain. Says Lindsay: “The people we met in van
parks and on the road offered assistance, first to
find the wheel and then to unload, towing us off the
road, bringing jacks, timber blocks and a chainsaw
to cut stands to go under the vehicle and an electric
rattle gun for the bolts, and setting up our overnight
camp. With their help, we were almost finished by
sundown.
“One couple came back next morning to bring
extra water and help to load up. We were back on
the road after 24 hours. Lucky we had a spare axle
on board.
“At Ceduna we were told of three car collectors
in Kimba who could supply another axle. We found
a collection of around 30 in a shed aged from 1915
to 1970, all going, driveable and complete but
unrestored. We picked up an axle and key.”
– A snapped drive shaft
– A split pinion
. Continuing big-end bearing trouble that required
Lindsay to
fly to Brisbane to bring
back a 4WD vehicle and trailer “for ‘Lizzy’
for the remainder of the tour”.
Was the fundraising successful?
We have raised $18,000 to date and with more
cheques coming in it will be some time before a
final figure is reached.
Would you do it again?
Yes, but only in an air-conditioned vehicle and
van, and we’d take at least one year to get around.
Highlights
l The hospitality and assistance of Lions clubs,
other service clubs, Ford dealers and members of
the public along the way.
l The spectacular scenery.
l Being breathalysed at Fitzroy Crossing (no arrests
made).
l The best barramundi and chips on the trip, at the
Barkley Roadhouse, Three Ways, Daley Waters.
l A Lions barbecue at Kingston where “you could
cut the steak with a plastic knife it was so tender”.
– Adapted from a longer report
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LIONS HAVEN for the aged
Sometimes great achievements just get better.
That’s the case with the Lions Haven for the Aged owned
and governed by nine Lions clubs on Queensland’ s Gold
Coast.
Established in 1992 on Hope Island, the facility has
recently had an extensive upgrade and more is on the way .
Work has started on an extra 54-bed, two-storey block that
will take the total bed licences to 121.
The new extension is due for completion in November .
The facility is a fully accredited aged-care centre with over
60 residents in fulltime care and employs about 80 people
(more details at www.lionshaven.com.au).
The managing Lions clubs would be interested to know if
there are any other such facilities in Australia or the world that
are fully owned and managed by Lions clubs.
JUST GETTING BETTER: The architect’s
impression of the new extension (above) and the
upgraded Lions Haven as it is today (right).
LCIF latest: New school provides opportunity
to build and equip the school. LCIF’s most common
By Cassandra Bannon
grant, Standard Grants provide matching funds from
Valuing education but lacking resources,
US$10,000 to US$100,000 for large-scale Lions
parents in Kemba in Democratic Republic of
humanitarian efforts. Standard Grants generally
Congo (DRC) built a one-room schoolhouse
provide capital funding for equipment and
with mud and straw.
Those raw materials proved to be
less than ideal. The walls crumbled.
The school lacked windows, desks,
chairs and bathrooms. Rain poured
through the holes in the roof. Its 140
students learned amid dismal
conditions.
Aware that the literacy rate is
about 30 percent in the DRC and
illiteracy dims work prospects and
limits even access to health care, the
Acqui Terme Host Lions Club in Italy
set out to help Kemba parents. The
club teamed up with the Kinshasa
Bondeko Lions to build a new
primary school.
The Acqui Terme Host Lions drew
up plans for a school that would
encompass four buildings: two with
12 classrooms each, one to house
four staff offices and a librar y, and a
separate building for restroom
facilities. The Lions held a gala to
LCIF AT WORK: The new school in Kemba is a huge impro vement.
raise funds to support the project
and received help from other local
infrastructure needs. Typically funded are mobile
Lions clubs. The Acqui e Colline Acquesi, Cortemilia
health units, hospices, medical equipment, blind
e Valli, Nizza-Canelli and Carpentras Comptat
and disabled centres, eye clinics and schools in
Venaissin clubs donated time, money or materials.
developing countries.
The Lions then turned to Lions Clubs
Drawing up the plans proved to be the easy part
International Foundation (LCIF) for a US$35,750
of the project. Located southwest of the capital city
Standard Grant to raise the remaining funds needed
20
of Kinshasa, Kemba does not have a strong
roadway system. Most Kemba residents get around
on foot, so the streets are not equipped to handle
heavy vehicle traffic. The main thoroughfares in the
area are rivers, but there isn’t a river close to
Kemba. So building materials
were brought downriver by boat
and then taken via trucks to their
final destination.
The Lions persevered and the
new school is now up and
running, providing a safe place
for students and teachers alike.
Lions expect this new school
to serve up to 240 students
when children from nearby
villages start attending.
The roof does not leak and the
floor is made of concrete, not
dirt.
There are wooden doors and
shutters on the windows.
Students and teachers now have
desks and chairs.
The work of the Acqui Terme
Host Lions did not end once the
school was built; they have
pledged to send books,
notebooks, pencils and other
supplies to the school for the next
five years. Thanks to Lions, Kemba now has one
more tool to use in the fight against illiteracy and
poverty.
To find out more about LCIF Standard grants, visit
http://www.lcif.org/EN/lionscenter/grants/standard.php.
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WOMEN IN LIONS
A conversation with Louise Eiszele
Louise, 30 and a mother of two, is a school teacher and a Lion. She
finds time in her busy schedule to be an integral part of the Penguin
Lions Club. She is also on 201T1 Cabinet as Leos Chairperson, and is
State Co-ordinator on the Multiple District Leo Committee. Louise
will also be a presenter at the Youth Forum at the MD Convention in
Newcastle.
It was a great experience being a Leo. I learnt leadership skills from being
a Leo. When I became a Lion, I was elected as a Vice President in my first
two years as a Lion. I was a Board member in my first year as a Lion.
Q: Louise, your family, including parents Toby and Julie, epitomises
the meaning of Family Membership, with Toby being a past District
Governor and very active members among other siblings in your
family. What is it like being part of such a Lions family?
Being part of such a family makes for a positive experience. We have
been involved with Leos prior to me becoming a Lion. The family works
together on projects. I remember being ver y young, and Dad taking me along
to Leo activities. I could not wait until I grew up and was old enough to join
Leos. My two children are Lion Cubs, an International membership program
to include all members of the family. Will, our son, will be four in April, and
our daughter, Mia, is two.
Q: Being involved in the organisation for so long, you would have
had many highlights. Can you give me some insight into these
highlights?
The greatest achievement is our LYNX program. This stands for Lions Youth
Network Express. I am among a core group of Lions, along with Dad and a
couple of community members, who established this. It has been going for
approximately eight years. We run four workshops throughout the year,
covering topics from abuse to drugs and alcohol, grief and loss, bullying etc. It
is for young teens who need a bit of guidance. I help bring them along and
facilitate sessions. We train young people to become leaders within the
program, therefore young people are guiding young people. I feel very
privileged to have been a part of this and I hope that I can continue to make a
positive difference in young people’s lives and help them to make positive
choices.
Q: You are 30 years old. You are married to Daniel, who is also a
Lion, you work three days as a teacher, have two wonderful
children, and are Leos Chairperson on Cabinet, yet you find time to
be a Lion. How do you do it?
At times I feel that I should step back, but then something positive
happens. This gives me the enthusiasm to keep going. Balance between
family and Lions is sometimes difficult, but the extended family will step in
and help. If this doesn’t happen, then family comes first. I do whatever I can.
I work three days per week, and have a good supportive workplace, which is
a positive in all that I do.
Q: Louise, you are a presenter at the Youth Forum in Newcastle.
What do you hope this forum will achieve?
I hope it will create links between Leos and Lions clubs. I hope it will give
older members the confidence to ask younger people to join Lions.
Encourage them to look at Leos, and encourage Leos to join Lions clubs.
There are so many benefits to be gained by clubs in approaching younger
people to become members.
Thank you Louise for your time. It has been a pleasure talking to
you.
– PDG Brenda Henderson
Q: Being young, what advantages do you see in being a Lion?
The advantage as I see it, is that I feel that I can give a lot to older
members. I can also learn a lot from the older members, such as life skills.
Older Lions have so much knowledge about Lions,. It is a continuing learning
process, with the exchange of ideas between the young and experienced.
Q: Lions talk about change so that the organisation can attract
younger people. What would you like to see changed, so that the
organisation can attract more people like you?
Existing clubs with older members need to be open to new ideas. They
should be prepared to listen to suggestions from younger members. They
should also be prepared to give these ideas and suggestions a tr y – e.g.
balance between traditions and change. Respect should always be shown to
traditions, but at the same time, (we should) be open to change.
Q: Being a Leo then a Leo/Lion, and now a Lion, has this helped you
in your role today?
Innovative research supported by Lions promises a step ahead in spinal cor d treatment
. Dr Sam Long
April - May 2015
StepAhead, supported by Lions Australia Spinal Cord
Fellowship, is embarking on ground-breaking research
combining cutting-edge technologies never used in
combination before.
A team led by Dr. Sam Long (Head of Veterinary Neurology and
Neurosurgery at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital
and a Lions Australia Spinal Cord Fellowship holder) is undertaking
research in conjunction with dogs being treated for chronic spinal
cord injury. “Dogs represent an excellent model for spinal cord
trauma in people – they suffer naturally occurring spinal trauma in
the form of intervertebral disc extrusions in a manner ver y similar
to the trauma suffered by people,” says Dr Long. “As with people,
their injury at its most severe induces complete paralysis with
similar features. We treat these dogs in our clinic, where the
availability of MRI scanning, sophisticated surgical techniques and
highly specialised monitoring equipment allows us to evaluate their
progress after treatment.”
Here new technologies can be rapidly assessed and adopted.
Currently there are only a few research centres in the world with
the expertise for such research. The program is a collaboration
between Australia, the European Union and U.S., requiring
research agreements from the various sites around the world.
21
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AROUND THE NATION
When the sirens sounded this Western Australian
Lions club showed it was up to the task
Waroona Lions answer fire call
At midnight on Friday 30th January, the town
of Waroona, 112km south of Perth, was woken
by the sound of fire engine sirens and the
sight of a blanket of smoke covering the
town.
A freak lightning storm had sparked a huge fire
up on Forrington Heights on the Thursday before
and the fires had now broken containment lines and
were moving towards the north-east corner of town
where residents living in the Ryecroft Vista and
Butlers Retreat Estates were under serious threat. It
had also spread south to the
houses off Russell Drive at the far
end of the local golf course.
Residents were told to leave and
gather on the town oval and later
moved to the neighbouring town of
Harvey as the fires moved closer.
With 200 fire-fighters and
volunteers
descending on
the town from
QUICK RESPONSE: The fire takes hold of the town as crews battle
on (above). And (left below) Lions Neville Smith, Alan Lochowicz, Dom
Della-Franca and President Pat Delio join with bo wling club members
Dennis Tyler (foreground) and Matt Wildermoth and Lion Andrew
“Benny” Goodman (striped shirt) in feeding fir e-fighters and volunteers.
Team leader Phil Turner (below) stopped for two short sleep breaks only
during the drama.
all over the Perth metro area and nearby countr y
towns to battle the inferno, the Waroona Lions were
mobilised into action.
Manning their purpose-built kitchen from
midnight on the Friday, they worked in shifts
through the nights and days from Friday night to
Monday afternoon, cooking and feeding the fire
crews breakfast, lunch and dinner plus supplying
bottles of water and cool drinks to battle their
extreme thirst from the searing heat.
Fifteen Waroona Lions shared the load together
with volunteers from the local bowling club, post
office, other local organisations and wives and
daughters of the Lions members, led by Phil Turner
who put in a staggering 54 hours with two or three
other Lions not far behind him on 30-plus hours.
How many lives will be saved?
It’s near impossible to guess how many lives might be
saved thanks to a recent act of community service by
Adelaide’s Glenside Lions.
The club raised $26,000 through its Glenside Lions
Bookmart, an outlet that sells and exchanges books, to buy
nine defibrillator units that it donated to community groups
and sporting clubs throughout its area.
The donation followed an approach to many organisations
by Vice President Bob Oaten and Lion Paul Turner that found
strong desires to have a defibrillator on their premises in case
of heart attacks.
The defibrillators were handed over at a presentation at the
Burnside Community Centre, with another unit to be installed
at the Lions Bookmart itself.
22
LIFE SAVING: Handover of the defibrillators.
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A 60-year walk in the Lions park
Lions Parks can be found right around
Australia and behind practically every one of
them is a story of great community service by
Lions members.
That’s certainly the case with the Lions Park in
Binningup, Western Australia.
About 90 people recently attended the 60th
anniversary of the gazetting of the Binningup
township at the same venue , a park where in 1955
a meeting of interested people of the Binningup
Beach Syndicate gathered for a picnic.
Binningup Waters Lions have adopted the park,
maintained the lawns and installed and looked after
the reticulation, seating and a gazebo with the
support of the Shire of Har vey for many years.
A sign outlining the histor y of the Lions Park was
unveiled at the 60-year celebrations by Shire
President Tania Jackson.
On hand to cut the celebration cake was past
resident Alice Crook who wrote the histor y of the
settlement from its beginnings as a holiday
venue.
Dylan’s on his way
Young Dylan Sousa tries out the br and new
Hart Walker presented to him by Sydney’s
Bondi Lions.
7th Philippines visit
Lion Allan Green, Vice President of Sydney’s
Riverstone and Districts Lions Club, has just
returned from his seventh friendship visit to the
Philippines.
With his wife Malu Rivera, Allan travelled to Baguio,
known as the “Summer Capital” of the Philippines, in the
central Luzon area and took part in several Lions
activities. They were hosted by members of the Baguio
Host Lions Club and joined in projects which were part
of the Melvin Jones (founder of Lions) celebration week.
April - May 2015
HALF DOZEN: South Australia’s Yankalilla Lions don’t muck round when it comes to
recruiting new members. They recently scored six in one go. The new members are
(left to right) Brian Dedicoat, Kyle Hand, Rebekah Booth, Russell Boxer, Glenn
Freeberg and Michael Hatcher,. They’re being welcomed here by President Graham
Buttery.
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RIDE ON: Stage one of Tasmania’s 25km long Blue Derby
Mountain Bike Trail is open, with North East Tasmania Lions
and the Tasmanian Lions Foundation each putting up $4,750
for hot shower facilities for riders. Next year another 50km
of trail will be opened. At right, TLF Chairman Phil Viney
presents the cheque to Dorset mayor Barr y Jarvis.
CARER AID: Palliative care nurse Caroline Short receives a
$5,000 scholarship from Cessnock Lions Club President Ian
Anderson as part of the Lions Club’ s Nurse’s Scholarship
Foundation to enable her to attend an inter national
conference/workshop on palliative care being held in Bristol (UK).
On her return in June, Cessnock Lions will hear a pr esentation on
the conference from Caroline.
LIONS
OUT AND
ABOUT
WIN-WIN: Victoria’s Youth of the Year winner
2014-15 Ashleigh Rogers collects another award,
this time as Gannawarra Shire Young Citizen of the
Year. With her are Cohuna President Allan
Walkington and V6 YOTY Chairman Norm
Walkington.
QUIET ACHIEVER: Victorian Lion John
Morritt, a power worker for 38 years and a
power worker as a volunteer, with his
Toolambi Citizen of the Year award.
24
LOCAL HERO: Mount Gambier Lioness Claire
Welch is congratulated by President Sue Parkinson
on her Order of Australia for her long voluntar y
service to the Mount Gambier community.
HANDOVER: Goulburn City Lion Dave King presents Ross Kirkby of
St Vincent de Paul with hampers. The club donated 70 hampers
worth $70 each.
40 UP: Celebrating their 40th anniversary are six of the seven
charter members of East Maitland Lions (standing Gar y Parsons,
PDG Paul Logue, Doug Frost and seated Fr ed French, Keith Martin
and PDG Wal Sellers). Absent was PDG Ken Rowland.
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Honour your top Lions
Now is the time to recognise the
dedicated service of your members to
their community.
Top of the tree is
the Melvin Jones
Fellowship or
Progressive Melvin
Jones Fellowship. By
donating to the One
Shot, One Life: Lions
Measles Initiative your
club will save the lives of thousands of
children, giving them the chance of a healthy
life. Your gift will go towards bestowing a
Melvin Jones Fellowship on a club member or
community champion.
Often the hardest workers in your club
already have been honoured with a MJF. Their
continued high standards of ser vice can be
recognised with a Progressive Melvin Jones
Fellowship Diamond Lapel Pin.
You can honour your club President’s year of
leadership with a LCIF Contributing Pin 20142015.
A donation to LCIF of $110 will secure a
Gold Lapel Pin for your President. Your
donation will be listed under your club’s and
President’s name. One hundred percent of
every dollar donated to LCIF goes back to
Lions in grants.
The Gold, Silver ($55) and Bronze ($20)
LCIF Contributing Pins are available from your
LCIF District Co-ordinator. If you are a small
club where US$1,000 for a MJF is a stretch,
your $20 per member makes your club a
100% Contributing Member Club receiving a
banner patch. A great way of supporting LCIF
world-wide grants and programs.
– “Small Donations that make a BIG
Difference”
HAPPY WORKERS: Giving their time and effort for a g reat cause, Lions members (from left) Mik e Davis,
Bevan Daniel and Geoff Pfeiffer.
SHOWING THE MEANING OF KINDNESS
The kindness of Lions shone when the Victor Harbor and Port Elliot clubs set up Kate Turner,
who has a rare skin disorder, with a new home art studio.
Kate, 26, has Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB, in which her skin peels at the slightest touch.
There are 17 varying degrees of EB, and while just over 1,000 across Australia have the disorder, Kate is
one of only three in South Australia struggling with a severe case.
Yet she never complaints, and among her passions are collecting pig nick-knacks (she has hundreds)
and painting in oils and acr ylics – quite an achievement given that EB has robbed her of her hands.
Her mother, Linda, an equally remarkable person and dedicated to her daughter , bought materials to
build Kate her own art studio in the backyard of their Victor Harbor home. And yes, Kate loves painting
pigs.
However, Linda realised she couldn’t do the job herself. That’s when Lions stepped in.
Led by Geoff Pfeiffer, who calls himself a retired carpenter, cabinet maker and Mr Fix It, and with help
from Mike Davis and Bevan Daniel (see the three pictured above), the impressive room was quickly
progressing.
“I can’t thank them enough,” said Kate.
Linda and Kate were planning an official opening of Kate's studio as a means of saying thank you to all
involved.
Local business people helped out with materials supplied at greatly-reduced prices.
– Adapted from Coast Line magazine stor y
Barbecues to help kids grow
PDG Lion Nigel Jeny OAM came up with a great idea for finding new
members for Lions.
He organised not one but two barbecues over the same weekend, with two aims
... to find new Lions members and also to provide needy children suffering cerebral
palsy with walkers through the Australian Lions Children's Mobility Foundation
(ALCMF).
The children were Quinn from Westleigh who needed a Buddy Roamer Walker
($5,250) and Lachlan from Hunters Hill who needed a Kidwalk Walker ($6,725).
Two generous Sydney clubs, West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook and City of Ryde,
gave up their Sunday for the barbecues.
Barbie brigade: Joining the West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook fundraising barbecue
(right) is The Hon. Philip Ruddock, surrounded by dedicated Lions.
April - May 2015
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VALE: John Knowles OAM
VALE: Carl Foster
It was a long time ago, before mobile phones, tablets, iPads, personal
computers, email or even faxes when a group of good men got together
and formed a Lions club in Bellingen, NSW. Carl Foster was one of those
men.
As secretary of a group of only 10, one of the smallest Lions clubs, he not only
helped get the club started but stayed for 60 years.
Over those six decades Carl undertook ever y possible job and did them well.
Carl held all major positions (including four as President), gained a Melvin Jones
Fellowship and was awarded life membership of Lions International in 1989.
As an NRMA service patrolman for the past 26 years, he made many friends
through his helpful deeds night and day in all kinds of weather .
Put simply, Carl was a good man, a good Lion, and a great mate.
– Adapted from eulogy by
Lion Wal Tyson
26
Lions prides itself on making
communities a better place to
live, work and grow. John
Knowles dedicated nearly 50
years of his life to this end.
He was recognised in 1996 with an Order of Australia Medal for
service to the community, particularly through Lions Clubs
International.
After joining Floreat Lions in 1967 he was a club director for 18
years and always passionate about Lions in Western Australia. At
the national level he held many positions, including seven years as
Emergency Grants Chairman.
A pharmacist for 45 years, John was an accomplished
sportsman and despite suffering a renal disease as a child (he later
required a kidney transplant) he seldom slowed down in ser ving
Lions.
John is survived by his wife Val, his sister Dale, children John
and Corry and six grandchildren.
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OUR CLUB’S FIRST BBQ
Poet and PDG Greg Dunn pays homage to a Lions tr adition
There’s excitement in our Lions Club, we’ve landed us a job,
It seems the local betting shop found someone else to rob.
They told us that their clientele was keen and well to do
And they thought they would impress them with a Lions BBQ
With the sausages, the heat
‘
was so intense – it kept us
Now none of us let on that there were problems yet in store;
You see, a BBQ was something that we’d never done before.
“Of course we’ll bloody do it” said our President elect.
“It can’t be all that difficult”, or words to that effect.
warm but also burnt
the palings off
the fence’
Our club for many years has been with telly marketing.
It means that as a Lion you don’t have to do a thing.
The money comes in thick and fast and then goes straight back out;
And some charity says “Bless you”; that’s what it’s all about.
We have a reputation for raising lots and lots of dough;
But where the money comes from, we don’t really want to know .
Our meetings are bi-monthly, but then more than enough;
We check the books, have dinner, and decide who gets the stuff.
So imagine our amazement when we got this strange request.
We all agreed we’ll have a go; at least we’ll do our best.
Another local Lions club said they’d lend us all the gear ,
Which included a big esky, we assumed to store our beer
We all turned up like surgeons, about to operate,
With brand new Lions aprons, caps and gloves, we did look great.
And each of us was set a task like cooking, serving, cash;
With Bernie as the overseer; big eyebrows and moustache.
The other club set up the stuff so we’d not have to care,
But the bloke who was to show us how , just wasn’t anywhere.
We got a heap of sausages and laid them on the plate,
We relished our achievement, they were really looking great.
Ten minutes had elapsed and we thought that it was strange
That even though we turned and poked, their colour didn’t change.
Old Bernie read instructions from a book he thought to bring.
“Hey! They never told us that we had to light the bloody thing.”
Well, we couldn’t light the BBQ no matter how we‘d tr y.
The Book said check the gas bottle and sure enough its dr y.
Another bloke came in to help and set the bottle right.
We turned it on to check it while Jimmy went to get a light.
He found it in the esky and of course it wasn’t dr y,
Someone else produced a flint gun and said “Give this a try”.
With customers complaining ‘cause we said they’d have to wait,
And all this time the gas was building up below the plate.
Now Bernie took the flint gun, got down upon his knees;
He reached below the BBQ and gave the gun a squeeze.
The explosion was tremendous and when the smoke had cleared,
We found that Bernie’s moustache and his eyebrows disappeared.
April - May 2015
His face was black, his eyes were crossed, he looked a little dazed,
But then he always looks like that so we were not amazed.
And meanwhile with the sausages, the heat was so intense
It kept us warm but also burnt the palings off the fence
The queue by this time stretched for miles and many were upset,
And Bernie, being tactful, told them all to “Go and get…..!!”
In the meantime Bob was tr ying hard to pick the sausages off the ground,
And hoping that the customers would not see where they were found.
Steve tried to move the table, but pushed with too much force.
The leg collapsed, and down he went and upset all the sauce.
There was Mustard sauce and Barbecue, Tomato sauce and all,
And smack bang in the middle was where Stevie had to fall.
Allan tried to help him up but couldn’t keep his feet,
So he joined Steve among the sauce mixed in with sausage meat.
The tsunami of tomato sauce just didn’t bother Fred,
But rubber shoes and all that sauce sent him arse over head.
In the meantime no one noticed what was happening to the snags.
The Barbie plate caught fire and it lit the cleaning rags.
Someone turned on the fire hose which made the matter worse.
Excitement reigned supreme and we were laughing fit to burst.
The language from the betting shop was blue and faces red,
While we were rather sorr y that nobody there got fed.
The betting shop is now defunct, their reputation shot;
Their clientele dissatisfied with what they hadn’t got.
Our club has gone from strength to strength, ‘cause now we’re having fun.
We still don’t own a BBQ, but there are other things we’ve done.
We learnt that there are projects that are better left alone,
Leave the barbies for the experts, they can have it on their own.
As for service to community? This might seem to be abrupt;
But the gambling house in question was proved to be corrupt.
We did our town a ser vice and we’re proud of what we’ve done,
But if you want a club to barbecue, then pick another one.
©greg dunn
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Through LCIF, Lions serve
As the chairperson of Lions
Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), I
have the honour of presenting you with
some of the highlights of the
Foundation’s work in 2013-14. This
report will give you a glimpse of our
achievements and the lives we ha ve
touched through your kindness and
compassion. I look forward to celebrating
even more success stories with you at
the upcoming international convention in
Honolulu. Congratulations to Past
International President Wayne Madden on
a successful year as chairperson, and to
you, Lions, for supporting your
Foundation!”
Barry J. Palmer
LCIF Chairperson, Immediate Past
International President
Saving sight
Lions save sight in many
ways. LCIF supports their sightsaving efforts through programs
such as SightFirst, which helps
Lions build comprehensive eye
care systems in under-served
communities to prevent
blindness and vision loss, as well
as caring for those who are blind
or visually impaired.
A simple pair of eyeglasses
can bring the biggest smile to a
child’s face. Seeing clearly can
help a child read better,
participate in sports and so much
more. LCIF and Johnson &
Johnson Vision Care Companies
(JJVCC) have been working
together to help millions of
children see more clearly and
bring smiles to their faces
Sight: In Kansas and worldwide, LCIF restores and improves
sight and prevents blindness. Photo by Dan Morris.
through their Sight for Kids
partnership program. Launched in
Asia and led by local Lions,
JJVCC employees and local
partners, Sight for Kids engages
eye care professionals who train
teachers to conduct school-based
vision screenings and eye health
education in under-served
communities. When needed,
students are referred to local eye
care professionals for eye exams,
eyeglasses, further treatment and
follow-up care at no cost.
Thank you to everyone who supported Lions Clubs International Foundation this past year.
In a world of ser vice, your generosity is making a lasting difference in the lives of millions. As LCIF
Chairperson, I have seen our impact firsthand, and it is humbling. I have seen communities around the
world that have been strengthened through our efforts. I have seen the smiles of the people whose
lives we have touched. Those faces will stay with me forever as a reminder of what Lions and LCIF can
accomplish.
You provided life-saving measles vaccinations in places like Bangladesh, Botswana and Uganda. You
gave needed supplies and hope to the Philippines following the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. You
helped students around the world make positive choices and lead healthier lives through Lions Quest.
You saved the sight of millions through SightFirst, which ushered men and women into the light, just as
Helen Keller urged us to do. I am truly grateful for all that you do.
Our partnerships allow us to expand our reach and help even more people. Alongside The Carter
Center, we helped eliminate river blindness in Colombia and expanded our SightFirst initiative to
address preventable blindness in Ethiopia, Mali, Niger and Uganda. Thanks to our Sight for Kids
partnership program with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Companies, we have screened the vision of
more than 20 million students and we’re expanding our reach beyond Asia to Kenya and Turkey.
Lions Quest received a US$300,000 grant from the NoV o Foundation to enhance its social and
emotional learning curriculum to help meet the changing needs of our students and schools. We are
vaccinating millions of vulnerable children against measles through our partnership with Gavi, the
Vaccine Alliance, and we’re making great strides toward our goal of raising US$30 million for the fight
against measles.
But none of this would be possible without you. Together, we are truly making this a world of ser vice.
As you read through this report, you will learn about some of the lives we have touched and see the
tremendous impact we have achieved together. I hope you will remember that none of these touching
stories would be possible without your continued support.
Wayne A. Madden
2013-14 LCIF Chairperson, Past International President
.
28
LCIF Chairperson Madden comforts an infant.
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every day, every way
By Cassandra Bannon
Now, LCIF and JJVCC are expanding their Sight
for Kids partnership to communities in Kenya and
Turkey. These are the first two countries in Africa
and Europe to receive Sight for Kids ser vices.
Through the program, more than 20 million children
in under-served schools and communities across
the Asia Pacific region have already benefitted from
Sight for Kids. The need for access to basic eye
exams and treatment for school-aged children is
global. Through this expansion, even more children
will receive needed eye care.
Supporting youth
LCIF’s Lions Quest program teaches character
education, bullying prevention, drug awareness and
service-learning to students from kindergarten
through to grade 12. The American Institutes for
Research completed in 2013 an independent
evaluation of the Lions Quest program in Wood
County, Virginia. More than 1,000 students were
evaluated across all three program areas – Skills for
Growing, grades K-5; Skills for Adolescence, grades
6-8; and Skills for Action, grades 9-12. Students in
all evaluated grades showed gains in social
awareness, relationship skills and peer
relationships. The research also noted reductions in
disruptive and potentially harmful behaviours.
This study not only shows how effective Lions
Quest is but also positions LCIF and Lions as
leaders in best practices in youth development.
Lions make sure that Lions Quest programs are
implemented with fidelity, ensuring that students
and teachers have the best possible conditions for
learning and growth.
Fighting
measles
LCIF provides financial
and volunteer support to
reduce measles deaths
worldwide by increasing
access to measles
vaccines where needed
most. Through the One
Shot, One Life: Lions
Measles Initiative, Lions
are playing an
Measles: A Lion in Nepal vaccinates young people.
increasingly central role
in international efforts to
end measles. In 2013, LCIF partnered with Gavi, the Providing disaster relief
The LCIF Emergency Grant program provides
Vaccine Alliance, to protect millions of children
financial
support to Lions engaged in disaster
against measles where vaccines are needed the
response for immediate needs. Major Catastrophe
most. More than 100 million children will be
vaccinated through the
partnership.
LCIF has committed to
raising US$30 million by
2017 to improve access to
vaccines through Gavi. The
funds will be matched by
the United Kingdom’s
Department for
International Development
and the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation, bringing
the total to US$60 million.
Lions also play a key role in
mobilising people for
vaccination campaigns.
Disaster: Lions provide food to families in the Philippines after Typhoon
In celebration of World
Haiyan.
Youth: Students in Ireland learn life skills through Lions Quest.
Photo by John Timmerman
April - May 2015
Immunisation Week, April
24-30 in 2014, LCIF
launched a 30-day challenge
to raise US$1 million for the
One Shot, One Life: Lions
Measles Initiative. Measles
donations to LCIF during the
month of April were matched
by the family of Lion Abhey
and Past District Governor
Aruna Oswal of New Delhi,
India, up to US$500,000.
Lions exceeded the
challenge, raising a total of
US$1.3 million to combat
measles.
Grants provide substantial funding for disasters with
major impact.
In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan struck
Southeast Asia, devastating the Philippines. The
typhoon was believed to be the largest storm ever
to hit land. Entire villages were obliterated and
millions of people in the region were affected, many
of them left homeless. LCIF immediately mobilised a
US$100,000 Major Catastrophe Grant for relief
efforts, followed by another US$30,000 for
immediate needs. Designated donations from Lions
worldwide poured in, surpassing US$1 million in the
wake of the disaster.
LCIF REPORT CONTINUED OVER PAGE
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LCIF report
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Improving local communities
Financials
local communities. For example, with the help of a US$5,000 International
In fiscal year 2013-14, Lions, their partners and friends generously donated
US$43.9 million to LCIF. The Foundation awarded 538 grants totalling
US$46,021,590. Thank you for believing in LCIF! View the rest of the Foundation’s
finances at lcif.org/resources/EN/pdfs/lcif/financial_statement.pdf.
Assistance Grant from LCIF, Lions in Portland, Oregon, purchased wall charts
Grants awarded 2013-14
Through its humanitarian grants, LCIF provides matching funds to support
Lions’ efforts to improve vital public ser vice institutions and programs in their
and an autorefractor to test visual acuity. The Lions teamed with three clubs in
Saving Sight
– $13,087,642
Club and the Lambayeque Ciudad Evocadora Leo Club. Together, they
Combating Measles & Rubella
– $7,595,573
organised health fairs, conducted hearing and vision screenings and
Providing Disaster Relief
– $1,276,000
distributed more than 250 pairs of eyeglasses to people in need in Peru. The
Supporting Youth
– $1,982,539
Portland Lions also certified six local Lions on the correct use and operation of
Improving Communities
– $22,079,836
Peru – the Lambayque Ciudad Evocadora Lions Club, the Llampallec Lions
the autorefractor, enabling the local Lions to continue their vision screening
work.
• The complete LCIF annual report can be found at lcif.org
LEOS ROAR
Treasurer of Sunraysia Leo Club in C2 on receiving a Young Citizen of the Year
Award in Irymple, Victoria on Australia Day (see picture below left).
Ivana is a fine ambassador for Leos worldwide and received her award for
her ongoing dedication to her local community as Leo Club Treasurer, Rural
Ambassador regional winner, Vice President Rostrum Mildura, Mildura Show
Society Council of Management and Rural Ambassador and her own
initiatives such as the Distance Education Project.
All these inspirational Leos were State Finalists in the MD201 Leo of the
Year Quest.
Entries for this year's quest are now open with the 2015 National Final
being held on Sunday 3rd May at the MD201 Convention in Newcastle.
Full details and entry forms are available on the Leo website at
www.lionsclubs.org.au/leos with State Entries closing on 1st April.
Recently your MD201 Leo Committee worked with representatives from
the MD201 Management Group to develop a strategic plan for consideration
by the Council of Governors.
The main goal is to form 19 new Leo Clubs each year across the Multiple
District.
By achieving this goal we will be creating more opportunities for young
people between 12-30 across our 19 Lions Districts to ser ve their
communities in a positive way as essential members of the Lions family .
For our organisation to grow, we must see Leos as the PRESENT and
FUTURE of Lions and should always recognise them as essential members of
our association.
I encourage all Lions and Lionesses to continue encouraging our Leos by
visiting their clubs, supporting their activities and recognising their
outstanding achievements in the International and Multiple District Leo of the
Year Quest.
If your Lions Club is considering sponsoring a Leo club, stop considering –
DO IT!
Full details on the Leo Club Program are available on the Leo website at
www.lionsclubs.org.au/leos
Say G’Day to a Leo today, you won’t be disappointed.
TOP YOUNG CIT: Ivana
Martin Peebles
Blekic, Treasurer of the
MD201 Leo & Youth Outreach Committee Chairman
Sunyrasia Leo Club,
Lions Australia
receives her Youth Citizen of
Congratulations to the Leo Club of Benalla in V6 that received its
Charter on 28 February.
We welcome these new Leos to our great Lions organisation and thank
them for their ongoing commitment to ser ve their community in a positive
way as an essential part of Lions.
Special congratulations also to Leo Nathan Toll, President of Twin Cities
Leo Club in Q2, on being named Townsville’s 2015 Young Citizen of the Year
on Australia Day. Leo Nathan received the award for his community ser vice
as a Leo and his role as a student ambassador at James Cook University .
Nathan was Queensland representative in the 2012 National Final of the
Leo of the Year Quest and following his inspirational speech to the Perth
Convention was named best public speaker.
Congratulations also to Leo Alexandra Fuller, 2014 Tasmanian Leo of the
Year, on receiving a Youth of the Year award on Australia Day in Ulverstone,
Tasmania.
Leo Alex’s service to her community is truly inspirational and she received
the award for her continued commitment as:
- Recipient of the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award.
- Member of
Oaktree Foundation
- Don College
Volunteer Student
Mentor Program
- Dux Penguin High
School
- Active Leo Club
member
Congratulations
also to Leo Ivana
Blekic, 2014 SA/NT
Leo of the Year and
the Year award.
30
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YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Glen’s $50,000 ride
Glen Hurst lost his father to
diabetes and his mother is a
diabetic. So the Albany Lion
attached a boat to his Harley and
sped off on an 80-day trip around
Australia to raise funds for
diabetes research.
After wearing out three sets of tyres,
visiting 230 Lions clubs and attending
168 sausage sizzles, he triumphantly
rode his bike straight inside a District
Convention where Lions applauded
wildly.
Glen raised $50,000 and elevated
awareness of the disease and Lions
thanks to the Lions logos and diabetes
signs on the bike and boat.
“The ride itself was not bad. Long
rides can be challenging, but the bikes
are extremely comfortable,” says Glen,
a computer technician specialising in
solar energy. Glen knew the
motorcycle-boat combination would
draw attention. After his brother died,
he drove a Gold Wing motorcycle, his
brother’s favourite bike, to tow a boat to
deliver his remains home. (His brother
was cremated. His remains were stored
in the motorcycle, and the boat was
filled with camping gear.) Glen’s journey
drew lots of stares and enquiries.
Glen’s ride was to take 60 days but
expanded to 79 days as more Lions
clubs became interested.
Horsham’s 60th
V2’s Lions Club of Horsham is set
to celebrate its 60th anniversar y at
the Horsham Golf Club on Saturday
25th of July. For details, contact
[email protected] or
PO Box 445, Horsham, Vic 3402.
April - May 2015
By the time you read this the National Final for the
current year be imminent.
We will have had approximately 2,000 young
Australians participate this year. Whilst just six of that
number will progress to the National Final, all will have
gained immeasurable benefits and experiences from their
participation.
In her feedback, Rebecca Marshall, Q Districts, wrote:
Overall, YOTY has been an incredibly challenging but
enriching experience. Friends and competitors who were
finalists in various rounds echoed such sentiments –
testament to the program’s value regardless of the level
reached. The competition as well as the international trip
challenged, developed and strengthened various facets of
my identity, allowing me to refine my perception of who I
am and what I stand for. I have gained a broader
perspective of the world we live in that stretches beyond
the school walls that had previously marked the extent of
my community. I’ve learnt how to articulate my opinions
quickly and thoughtfully in an inter view setting, and
benefitted from hearing the diverse and eloquent
opinions of my peers. The aspect of the program and the
resultant New Zealand and Perth trips that I found the
most rewarding is the friendships I have made. I feel
incredible gratitude to Lions and all those who supported
me through such an enriching program, and I know I will
reap the benefits of my involvement for years to come.
Rebecca’s report on her year as a YOTY State winner,
along with the other state winners’ reports, have been
posted to our website.
After attending the Lions International Youth Camp at
Rotorua, the group were the guests of the Lions Club of
Fremantle for six days. They were shown the sights of
Perth, Fremantle and Mandurah. As well as the top sights
that these localities offer they were shown over Ear
Science Institute of Australia and the Lions Eye Institute.
Our six youth learnt that Lions is not all about sausage
sizzles, Christmas cakes and Youth of the Year, but that
we support some useful medical research facilities.
Last year’s national finalists have commenced the next
phases of their lives with four of them commencing
university; one continuing university and the sixth, Jordan
Green, our national winner, now well into his officer
training at the Royal Militar y College, Duntroon.
These events don’t happen by themselves: a very
thorough program was prepared by Lion Margaret Amm
and others from the LC of Fremantle. As well, members
of this club also hosted the five interstate winners at their
homes for five days and six nights. Our appreciation is
also extended to the Lions Club of Ellenbrook for the free
use of their mini bus to transport the six youth.
M
olly Campbell, 2011 – 2012 National Winner,
recently undertook her winner’s prize to her
destination of choice, India. This is her report.
We began our 25-day Indian adventure with a 4am
arrival at Sydney airport … followed by a 14.5 hour flight
to Dubai, a 14-hour stopover (during which we became
familiar with Dubai International airport!) and then
another six-hour flight to Kolkata. So, with very little sleep
under our belts (and a disturbing lack of any form of
airport custom checks), Warrick and I stepped out into
Kolkata, one of India’s most intense cities.
The drive to our hotel took place in peak hour traffic –
and the frequent ‘near misses’, the collage of colours,
the half-finished buildings, the slums, the smells and the
unfamiliar city sounds that pounded on our senses during
that first, two-hour drive were just a small glimpse of
what was to come. People often say that you will ‘love
and hate India all at the same time’ – and now I totally
understand what they mean. From the busy streets of
Kolkata, to the burning bodies on the Ganges in Varanasi;
from a foggy Taj Mahal to the pink city of Jaipur and the
breathtaking beauty of Udaipur (India’s very own Venice);
and from a village safari in the blue city Jodphur to a
‘camel camp-out’ in Bikaner, India was incessant! We
experienced the closing of the border ceremony between
Pakistan and India and the glamour of the Golden Temple
in Amritsar; as well as a crazy mountain drive to
Dharamsala – which took three hours less than it should
have, because our young bus driver thought blind cliff
corners offered the perfect opportunity for overtaking
slow-moving, mountain trucks! We ate Tibetan momus in
a snowing Mcleod Ganj (the home of the Dalai Lama) and
enjoyed another hair-raising 14-hour bus ride to Shimla,
before hiking for two hours up icy stairs and deep snow ,
only to be attacked by monkeys at the monkey temple.
But it was after the long train ride back through the
northern mountain areas to the crazy chaos of Delhi that
our experiences over the last month in India truly hit us.
India had shown us its best and its worst. It was a
mixture of amazing food, horrid smells, concerning
kitchens, the world’s most colourful fabric, in-your-face
TRIP OF LIFETIME: Molly at the
Golden Temple, Amritsar.
poverty, so many markets, half-finished hotels, wonderful
walking adventures, appalling amounts of rubbish and
pollution, no visible sky, amazing landscapes, too many
people in one TukTuk, truly lovely and beautiful locals,
countless cups of masala chai, continually being charged
a ‘triple tourist’ price, local overnight train trips of up to
26 hours that always ran at least four hours late, lots of
cows and lots and lots (and lots) of people.
Our trip to India was a jam-packed, jaw-dropping
month that I will never forget. And whilst on paper it may
look like we successfully conquered the Northern region
on our travels, Warrick and I plan to go back soon … to
spend more time in the Himalayan Pradesh and to then
hopefully venture down to the south of this intriguing
country. And I have Lions Australia to thank for allowing
me this first taste of world travel and for making it all
possible.
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Facing facts
Want the latest Lions news quickly? Lions
Facebook is the place to get it – and now it’s
easier than ever. Just focus your smartphone
camera on the QR barcode below and it will be
yours almost instantly. Or simply type “Lions
Australia Facebook” into your search engine.
LIONS
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IN A
SNAP
Learn what’s on the go, what’s coming up, and
what other Lions are thinking and doing
LEND A HAND, OR TWO!
Australian Lions needs a hand. Eac h year we help countless
thousands of people around the w orld in hundreds of
different countries. But we want to do more. To do that we
need your help. We need a hand in the for m of new members
to expand the load of good deeds being done . Joining is by
invitation but interested men and women over 18 and of good
moral character and reputation are encouraged to apply.
Just fill in this for m and send to the Executive Officer at Loc ked
Bag 2000, Newcastle NSW 2300 or e [email protected]
so it can be forwarded to a Lions club near you.
Full name:
Email address:
Phone number:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City/Locality:
State:
Post code:
Country:
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