lion · 2018-08-07 · 4 lion by gudrun, lions clubs national esident reaching for new horizons...

LIONAustralia / Papua New Guinea edition, $1

Aug – Oct 2018

We Serve

TOWNSVILLE TURNS ON A ...

TROPICALTROPICAL TRIUMPH!

66th NATIONAL CONVENTION

Registered by Australia Post – Publication No. pp100002889

Lions Clubs International

We Serve

Lion AUG-OCT 2018 _template Lion 7/08/2018 12:27 pm

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Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropy

August - October 2018 Volume 137 No. 3

LION‘We serve’

DeadlinesContributions for the November - January 2018/19 issue should be

submitted by October 1 to The Editor, Lion magazine, Tony Fawcett, FawcettMedia, 20 Millett Rd, Gisborne South, Victoria 3437 or emailed to

[email protected]

C O N T E N T S3 International President reports5 Townsville’s tropical triumph6 Youth show the way with award8 Townsville Convention in pictures10 Council Chairperson’s’s report12 LCIF at work

Page 5 - 66th MD Convention

Page 24 - Meet new Council ChairPage 6 - Youthful winners

Our c

over

COVER: The sun was shiningand conventioneers were inhigh spirits as they gatheredfor a group photo at the66th National LionsConvention in Townsville inMay. All the stories andpictures: Page 5. Cover photo: Roslyn Budd/BuddPhotography

13 International President’s program24 Meet our new Council Chair26 2018-19 District Governors28 Committee vacancies30 Leos in action31 Youth of the Year

Lion – Australia and PNGLion - Australia and Papua New Guinea edition ispublished bi-monthly for the Multiple District 201Council of Lions Clubs International and circulated toall members.Published by MD201 Council of Governors and printed byPMP Print, 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton Victoria 3168.An official publication of Lions Clubs Interna tional, the Lionmagazine is published by authority of Board of Directors in21 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 Media20 Millett Road Gisborne South VIC 3437Phone: (03) 9744 1368Email: [email protected] Enquiries: Lions National Office31-33 Denison St, Newcastle West, NSW 2302Phone: (02) 4940-8033Lions Australia website: www.lionsclubs.org.auDeadlines: 1st day of month before co ver date.MD201 Council of Governors: C1 Phil Bowman, C2 DavidSnook OAM, N1 David Emanuel, N2 Peter Scifleet,N3 Keith L Lord, N4 Gavin Ellis, N5 Derek Margerison,Q1 Kim Forrest, Q2 Allan Hansen, Q3 Carmel Goldsworthy,Q4 William (Bill) Moore, T1 Vere Cooper, V1-4 Murray Baud, V2 Biddy (Elizabeth) Weel, V3 Peter Payne, V5 Laurie Cooper,V6 Judy McKerrow, W1 Luen Chicote, W2 Beverley AnneHawkins. Council Chair: Chris HowardDistribution of Magazine: Clubs and MembersAdditions to distribution list, deletions, changes of addressand of club will be made only when advised through theClub Membership and Activities report. Non-Lions, librariesand other organisations who wish to advise changes shouldcontact Lions National Office, Locked Bag 2000NEWCASTLE NSW 2300, Tel: 02 4940 8033 email:[email protected] Editor-In-Chief - Sanjeev Ahuja Managing Editor - Christopher Brunch, Lions ClubsInternational 300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842 USAExecutive Officers: President Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir,Gardabaer, Iceland; Immediate Past President NareshAggarwal, Delhi, India; First Vice President Jung-Yul Choi,Busan City, Korea; Second Vice President HaynesTownsend, Dalton, Georgia, USA; Third Vice President BrianE Sheehan, Bird Island, Minnesota, USA.Directors First year: Muhammad Adrees, Faisalabad,Pakistan; Qazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Dhaka, Bangladesh;Shoichi Anzawa, Fukushima, Japan; Billy J. (B.J.), Lafayette,Blankenship, Tennessee, USA; Gary F. Brown, Cape Vincent,New York, USA; Rodolfo Espinal, Santo Domingo, DominicanRepublic; Liao-Chuan Huang, Taoyuan, Taiwan; JongseokKim, Changwon, Republic of Korea; Geoffrey Leeder,Harpenden, England; Mark S. Lyon, Brookfield, Connecticut,USA; Dr. Nawal Jugalkishor Malu, Auragabad, India; HeimoPotinkara, Lahti, Finland; J P Singh, New Delhi, India; SteveThornton, Wooster, Ohio, USA; Juswan Tjoe, Medan,Indonesia; A. Geoffrey Wade, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA;Dr. Walter Zemrosser, lthofen, Austria.

Directors Second Year: Doo-Hoon Ahn, Seoul, South Korea;Sandro Castellana, Padova, Italy; Hastings E. Chiti, Lusaka,Zambia; William Galligani, Nimes, France; Thomas Gordon,Ontario, Canada; Nicolás Jara Orellana, Quito, Ecuador;Ardie Klemish, Iowa, USA; Alice Chitning Lau, Guangzhou,China; Connie Lecleir-Meyer, Wisconsin, USA; VirinderKumar Luthra, Patna, Bihar, India; Dr. Datuk K. Nagaratnam,Malacca, Malaysia; Don Noland, Missouri, USA; ReginaRisken, Giessen, Germany; Yoshio Satoh, Chikuma City,Japan; Patricia Vannett, North Dakota, USA; Gwen White,North Carolina, USA; Nicolas Xinopoulos, Indiana, USA.

“To create and foster a spirit of understandingamong all people for humanitarian needs byproviding voluntary services throughcommunity involvement and internationalcooperation”

WE SERVE


4 Lion

By GudrunYngvadottir,Lions ClubsInternationalPresident

REACHING FOR NEWHORIZONSHello, Lions!

I am incredibly honoured to be beginning this year asyour international president. My theme is We Serve, andI am excited about what we can achieve togetherthrough service. We have a lot to do, and I’m ready tohelp you take a few steps out of your comfort zone.Being a Lion isn’t about doing the same thing year afteryear in the name of tradition. Being a Lion meanslooking for how you can best be of ser vice. Sometimes,that requires creative problem solving. If you’re not surewhat that means or how to do it, I’m going to help you.

Here are a few things I want us to focus on this year . Membership. It’s on everyone’s mind. How can we

not only recruit new members, but keep our currentmembers and build leaders who can take our work intothis next century of service? One way we can do this isthrough balanced membership, including both gendersand people from all walks of life, who can bring theirlife experiences to bear on the ser vice work we do.

Friendship. Comradery has always been a part of theexperience of being a Lion. We don’t want to lose sightof the importance of building friendships throughservice. There is nothing that can bond people moreclosely than working together to help others. Yes, wehave a lot of work to do to reach our goal of ser ving200 million people per year. We must organise better,account for our work better, be more creative in howwe approach problems. But we do not ha ve to do itwithout a sense of humour, a sense of fun.

Lastly, I want to revive a lost art. And that’s the art ofstorytelling. After your club completes a service project,take a moment to write do wn the story of your work.Who did you help? Why? What circumstances led youto reach out in tha t particular way? It’s through storiesthat we connect and learn. And if we share thosestories with others looking to ser ve, we can multiplyour capacity for change.

Lions, I am excited to be your new president. I amready to make this a year in which we all reach newhorizons when We Serve together.

Yours,Gudrun Yngvadottir

International President, Lions Clubs International

Australian Lions are invited to take part in W orld Sight Day (October 11) as partof an initiative by the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) to focus on theimportance of children’s eye health.

LEHP is asking clubs to get involved in a two-sta ge promotional program involvingmagnifying bookmarks being given out a t local libraries and also free stickerspromoting World Sight Day and the need for grea ter attention to children’s eye health.

The magnifying bookmarks with the key messa ge of ‘as a rule test young eyesbefore starting school’ can be bulk ordered ($50 per 100) by c lubs for donation tolibraries. The promotion will take place through October.

The free stickers can also be ordered for display on motor vehic les, shop windows,preschools and community noticeboards.

Send order form & payment to: LEHP-Australia: PO Box 433 Wahroonga NSW 2076.EFT Payment available: Acct Name: Lions Eye Health Program BSB: 633 000, Acct No:108999475. Please use your club name and WSD18 as reference! Cheques made out toLions Eye Health Program - Australia.

LIONS ASKED TO SHINE A LIGHT ONCHILD EYE HEALTH

Melbourne’s Diamond Valley Lions created a record by selling almost 40,000 Lionsmini Christmas cakes last year, pushing their cakes fundraising from $1350 in 2014to an impressive $95,000 in 2017.

The club had previously supplied South Australian and Victorian cafes but last yearnegotiated this to supplying all Bunnings cafes in Australia during November andDecember. The same will happen this year.

The club had to meet several Bunnings conditions, including paying GST on the retailsale price, having the cakes registered for scanning (done free by George Weston Foods),allowing Bunnings to sell the cakes for $2 each, and committing at least 50% of profits tonational Lions projects. Another Bunnings requirement was tha t it only deals with onetrade partner per product.

The arrangement does not stop all Lions c lubs from selling Christmas cakes andpuddings at their local Bunnings in the normalway. All enquiries to Bunnings were passed tothe appropriate local Lions Club.

A major plus was tha t the Lions centenarymessage “Where there's a need there's aLion” was displayed in all the cafes.

Mini cakes with a massive benefit for Lions Australia

A flashback to 2016 with Sunny and helper andthe club’s Doug Wilson (VP and Cakes) and RichardKeeling (Secretary) on sales duty.


August - October 2018

With participants travelling to Townsville from all over Australia, Papua New Guinea, NewZealand, Indonesia and New Caledonia and an audience of 1000 Lions and others, the 66thMD National Convention got off to a smooth and delightfully tropical start.

With Sergeant-at-arms PDG Paul Helmling in control of proceedings and a positive spirit, theConvention moved smoothly from welcomes by a range of dignitaries, including City of Townsvillemayor Cr Jenny Hill, into foundation reports, forums, workshops, AGMs and an extensive range ofnotices of motion to be worked through.

There were fascinating insights such as Lions Hearing Dogs revealing it provides one new dogevery 18 days for hearing impaired Australians, and an insightful presenta tion by retiringInternational Director Tony Benbow OAM.

And it wasn’t just talk. Lions Stamp Club demonstra ted what our organisation is all about byhanding over a cheque for $25,500 to the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation, whilePast International President Barry Palmer AO, the first Australian to be honoured with theorganisation’s top position, took the opportunity to induct several new members on sta ge.

Council Chairperson for 2017-18, Malcolm Peters, handed over the ba ton to DG Chris Howardfor 2018-19 (see his first column on pa ge 10) and highly visible were Geelong Lions singing thepraises of their city as the loca tion for next year’s MD Convention (May 4-6 2019).

For Past Council Chairperson Bruce Hudgson the Convention brought an Ambassador ofGoodwill medal, the highest award that an International President can give (there ha ve previouslybeen only four awarded in Australia) for his years of tireless work for Lions. John Muller OAMwas awarded the International President’s Medal.

Social highlights included district dinners and a gala ball, while a moving remembranceceremony on the Sunday allowed time to pay respects to departed Lions.

Apart from the opportunity to dissect the past Lions year and plan for the future, interspersedwith some fun in the tropical sun, it’s estimated the Convention injected millions of dollars intothe Townsville economy, with many taking the opportunity to visit nearby Ma gnetic Island andcoastal attractions.

By Convention’s end, organising chair Di Pyers and deputy chair John Muller OAM and theirdedicated committee and team of workers could be ha ppy they had produced a highly successfulevent.


HANDS UP: Lions welcome in a new centur y of service at the 66th National Convention in Townsville.

TROPICAL TRIUMPH!


Lion6

When Tasmania’s Tom Rockliff took off the Lions Youth of theYear award in Townsville, two supporters had good reason tocheer more than others.

They were Tom’s grandparents, Jill and Dennis Rockliff, who havebeen involved with the Youth of the Year for four decades.

Tom, who attends Don College and was sponsored by the LionsClub of Kentish (T1), won through against fierce opposition.

After the win he thanked his supporters and told of the pride he hasin Tasmania and especially the towns of Strahan and Sheffield wherehe grew up.

The Secretary of the Kentish club, Jan Crosswell, put Tom’s awarddown to his infectious personality and his care for others.

Tom, who wants to become a foreign correspondent or a specialistjournalist, was joined in the winner’s circle by Lucy Witherdin, 18, fromMerewether High School in Newcastle, who was named NationalPublic Speaking Winner.

For Lucy, her win was a case of second time lucky as she alsocompeted in the Youth of the Year in 2016.

The other finalists were Claire Noack (C2), Riley Clarke (Q3), PiniduChandrasekera (V1-4) and Henry Pemberton (W1).

Once again Lions was partnered in the event by the NAB, the 21sttime the organisation has been a sponsor.

This year’s Leo of the Year was an all-male affair, with Matthew Bogganrepresenting N Districts taking off the big a ward.

Matthew, sponsored by Crestwood Leo Club in N5, took the title in a contestthat many in the Townsville audience rated one of the best and tightest Leo of theYear finals in many years.

The public speaking winner was Kieren Azzopardi sponsored by Hobsons BayLeo Club in V2.

Other finalists included Kody Jorgensen (Q Districts), Dakota Gallagher (TDistrict) and Reggan Davis (W Districts)

Tom does hisgrandparents proud

Boys stand alonein tightest Leo tussle inmany years SHOWING THE WAY: Youth of the Year winner Tom Rockliff celebrates

with public speaking winner Lucy Witherdin.

LEOS UPFRONT: Leo of the Year Matthew Boggan and public speaking winner Kier enAzzopardi are joined by their fellow finalists.

MAKING MUSIC: Conductor Alice Beams and the St Margaret Mary’s College BellaVoce Choir kept Lions feet tapping during interludes in the Convention.


AND THE WINNER IS ...Among the numerous awards presented in Townsville were:

p The Ted Horwood Award for best story in the LION magazine during the past year:Rob Wilson of the Rockhampton Fitzroy River club for his story “It started with a beer a t anAussie barbie”p The Syd Packham Award for best public relations/publicity program: Waikerienewspaper liftout – Waikeriep The Happiest Lions Club Award: Brisbane Inner North

Canberra gains nod for 2021 MD ConventionCanberra has been announced as the host city for the 2021 National Convention.

The National Convention was last held in Canberra in 2013. That Convention was highlightedby the $1 million dona tion by Dick Smith to Lions Australia.

The announcement of Canberra’s win was greeted warmly by Townsville attendees.The Convention will be organised by the Lions Clubs of CanberraNext year’s Convention will be held in Geelong (May 4-6), while Adelaide will host the 2020

event (May 15-18).


TROPICAL TRIUMPH!

TRIUMPHANT RETURN: For Tony Benbow OAM (above),the Convention came just two months before his two-yearperiod as an International Director ended and fittingly hewas a keynote speaker. Now, he joked, it’s time to get backhome to catch up on all those domestic c hores his wife,Sue, has lined up for him.

WE SERVE: Lions from right around Australia came, saw,listened, spoke and planned (right), and when it was nearlyover the Lions of Geelong offered the audience a rousinginvite to next year’s Convention.


1. GONE FISHIN’: Townsville Lions prepare for anFNQ-style celebration at Convention’s end.

2. GOING GOING GONE: With the help of PDGGlenda McLoud, Lions Vanners Club member MickMetcalf gave up his much loved beard and whiskersto raise more than $1500 for ALCCRF.

3. SNACK TIME: Q3’s Allan Smith did a roaringtrade, tempting customers to the Lions Christmascakes and puddings stall with tasty samples.4. YOUNG GUNS: Youth of the Year finalists joinoverall winner Tom Rockliff (with trophy) in a postawards photo.

5. COMING UP ROSES: Q2’s John Hollidaypresents N1’s Narelle Parkins with a Lions MedicalResearch Foundation rose.

6. LOOKING GOOD: Leo of the Year finalist DakotaGallagher made a distinctive picture during the publicspeaking section.

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TROPICAL TRIUMPH!


7. SHOW THE JOY: Conventioneers showtheir happiness at being in Townsville.

8. REAL HERO: A Townsville favourite,Lions Hearing Dog “Astro”, gets the attentionhe deserves from training coordinator DarrenColdwell.

9. ON TRACK: Lara Lion Sharon Walkerpoints the way to Geelong where she says allLions should head for next year’s NationalConvention.

10. STEP AHEAD: Prof. Stephen and wifeJanette Davies are joined by their son Max,Lorraine Mairinger (right) and Dr George andBarbara Owen (left) at the Lions AustraliaSpinal Cord Fellowship luncheon. “I can tellyou, the results you will see in the ne xt threeyears will be astounding,” said Prof. Davies ofresearch into reversing spinal injury.

11. IN THE MOOD: Victoria’s PCC BobGilchrist displays what he believes thelaidback, get-away-from-it-all sunseekershould be wearing in North Queensland.

12. HEAR YE: Cleveland Bay Lion Laurence“Fred” Bassett kept attendees punctual in hisrole as town crier.

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The Lion10

Life changing

FROM THE MULTIPLE DISTRICTFrom Council Chair Chris

The excitement andcolour of theInternational Conventionis now behind us.

As usual for anInternational Conventionthere were somewonderful entertainmentsand interesting speakersprovided in the plenary

sessions. Las Vegas was an interestingdestination for the International Convention,although the busy-ness of the DGE Seminar andConvention made being a tourist in the self-proclaimed ‘entertainment capital of the world’hard to achieve. Where else in the world can yousee the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and theSphinx (with nose complete) in one city? Two ofthe speaker highlights for me were Dr SanjayGupta of CNN who spoke on Diabetes, while the43rd President of the USA George W Bushreminisced with his former Press Secretar y, AriFleischer. On the entertainment front, I enjoyedthe Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy at theInternational show and performances by LeviKraus and Michael Cavanaugh. In addition, therewere some 116 seminar sessions offered overthe five days of Convention and a range ofopportunities for service to the Las Vegascommunity.

The culmination of the Convention was on 3July as our 19 District Governors were inductedby our first female Interna tional President, GudrunYngvadottir of Iceland, the highlight of a week ofsometimes frantic activity. The same day saw

International Director Tony Benbow complete asuccessful term and Past Council Chair JuswanTjoe from Indonesia elected as Constitutional Area7’s International Director for 2018-2020 – aperiod in which Indonesia will celebra te 50 yearsof Lions Clubs in tha t nation.

Before we got to tha t point, I had the pleasureof meeting the Council Chairs Elect for MDs 202and 307, Arvind Raman and Litawatya Widjayorespectively, during the Australia New Zealandand Pacific Islands Reception on 2 July. It was abusy night with International President Dr NareshAgarwal and several Past International Presidentsdropping by. The candidate for 3rd InternationalVice president, Past International Director BrianSheehan, and his wife Lori also visited. Brian’s

election was confirmed on 3 July, along withthose of the 1st and 2nd Interna tional VicePresidents and 17 International Directors.

The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)announced its Campaign 100: LCIF EmpoweringService. This initiative aims to promote personaland corporate giving with the aim of raisingUS$300 million over the next three years. Theseefforts will allow LCIF to increase its contributionto serve more than 200 million people around theworld each year.

Since the Multiple District (MD) Convention inTownsville, Mary and I have visited the LionsAustralia office in Newcastle and met the staffthere. They are a great team and working hard toensure the administration of our MD works

BIG NIGHT OUT: 2018-19 DGEs and partners were all dressed up on theirway to the celebration banquet following the District Governors’ ElectSeminar.

SHOWING THE COLOURS: Australian Lions proudly represent us at the International Convention in LasVegas earlier this year. Picture Svend Due Mikkelsen, Editor LION magazine, Denmark, Greenland and Faroe Islands


11August - October 2018

From the Executive Officer

Effectivecommunication is theglue that binds ustogether. Nothing ismore important givenour spread acrossAustralia, the regionand in Lions – theworld.

You may have noticed that Lions ClubsInternational has reduced the frequency of ourmagazine, from bi-monthly to quarterly.Coupled with this, there is an increasing amountof material provided by Lions Clubs Interna tionalthat must be included, so Lions Australia uses anumber of digital platforms to keep in touchwith our members.

More and more, those great local Lionsstories are being promoted through our websiteand social media pages. Please follow the links(at right) and join in the conversa tions.

Notices, local initiatives, projects and otherinformation are beingcommunicated through amonthly e-mail blast. Thise-mail blast from yournational office contains anumber of stories andnotices and is deliveredthrough a service called‘Mail Chimp’. Every clubwas subscribed when wecommenced but some clubshave ‘unsubscribed’. If yourclub removed itself from themailing list, we cannot addyou back. If you have donethis, you will miss out oninformation that is importantto you.

I would encourage everyclub to subscribe to oure-mail newsletter, and lookfor it each month. By theway, any Lion can subscribeto the newsletter, so if you

LINKSE-mail Newsletter: -http://lionsclubs.org.au/members/members-join-e-newsletter/ Our homepage: - www.lions.org.auFacebook:www.facebook.com/lionsaustraliaYouTube:www.youtube.com/c/LionsAustralia_we_serveTwitter: https://twitter.com/LionsAustralia/

smoothly. Then, on our homeward journey, wewere able to link up with the 2017-18 CouncilChair Malcolm and Lion Narelle a t the NSWParliament’s reception for Volunteers Week.While only a short event, due in no small part tothe Minister’s schedule, it gave a chance forMalcolm to discuss his experience as CouncilChair with me. The State Emergency Service andSurf Lifesaving were among other volunteergroups in attendance. Our discussions wereproductive and useful.

The MD Global Action Team (GAT) met inMelbourne for a two-day stra tegy planningworkshop in May. The aim was to prepare astrategy for the upcoming training event for theDistrict GAT training weekend in July, and for thelonger-term GAT plans to be presented toCouncil in September.

The following day, the MD Long RangeDevelopment Committee (LRDC) was convenedfor a short meeting as several of the memberswere already in Melbourne from the GATmeeting. The LRDC is a committee set up byCouncil several years ago to look at ways toimprove the operation of the Council and LionsAustralia overall. It had been a recommenda tionof the LRDC that a Lions Advisory Board (LAB)be established. With the failure of the motion toestablish the LAB at Townsville, the LRDC wastasked by Council to review theirrecommendation and consider other options toredress identified risks and report to theSeptember Council meeting.

As part of a trip to South Australia for a familyevent, we were able to visit the Australian LionsHearing Dogs facility at Verdun. The team atALHD were able to show us their infrastructureand demonstrate their training methods. Thisfoundation continues to work to meet a gro wingdemand for Hearing Dogs to support those withhearing impairment and related conditions.

I am looking forward to visiting Geelong withExecutive Officer Rob to discuss prepara tions forthe 2019 MD Convention with the ConventionCommittee, attending the GAT training for theDistrict GAT members before chairing our firstCouncil meeting in September and a ttending theANZI Pacific Forum in Wellington, New Zealand.

– Chris Howard

want to get some firsthand informa tion,subscribe using the link (below).

Congratulations to the new officers of eachclub and the many new Lions who have joinedus in the past few months. You are verywelcome and we are thankful tha t you havedecided to bring your skills, time and interest toLions.

– Rob OerlemansExecutive Officer

The Australian LIONmagazine app


The Lion

By Jamie KonigsfeldOnchocerciasis, also called river blindness, is anagonising disease that thrives near rapidlyflowing rivers.

Caused by the bites of infected black flies, theparasite causes intense itching, rashes, skindiscolouration, and eye disease tha t can lead topermanent blindness. Elimination of the disease inNigeria was once deemed impossible. Today,transmission of the disease has been interrupted intwo Nigerian states, Plateau and Nasarawa, usheringin a brighter future for the world’s most riverblindness-endemic country.

The Carter Center, a partner of Lions ClubsInternational Foundation (LCIF) since 1994, hasbeen working with the government of Nigeria tofight river blindness for more than 25 years.Because of these efforts, mass drug administration(MDA) of ivermectin (Mectizan® dona ted by Merck& Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J. USA) will be stoppedwithin Plateau and Nasarawa, which is the largestMDA cessation in the history of the fight againstriver blindness. LCIF provided direct financial support to The CarterCentre’s work in Nigeria from 1994-2008.

“Stopping the mass drug administra tion program in Plateau andNasarawa states is a major achievement,” said Dr. Frank Richards, directorof the Carter Center’s River Blindness Elimination Program. “But we mustbe careful to monitor closely over the next few years to be assured tha t itdoes not come back. This will require continued effort and a ttention.”

During its partnership, LCIF has supported The Carter Center withUS$59 million in funding, assisting river blindness and trachoma programsthroughout Africa and the Americas. Overall, the Lions partnership with TheCarter Center has led to the distribution of more than 214 millionMectizan® treatments in 11 countries. And as a result, The World HealthOrganization (WHO) has verified tha t Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, andGuatemala are now free of river blindness. The final focus on remainingdisease in the Americas is in a remote loca tion along the border betweenBrazil and Venezuela. In Africa, MDA against river blindness has beenstopped in parts of Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

In March, LCIF leadership visited The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia,USA to renew and celebra te their partnership to support the elimina tion ofriver blindness spread in Ethiopia, as well as the elimina tion of blindingtrachoma, a preventable bacterial infection. Complimentary remarks weremade by Lions leadership and The Carter Center, including words fromAmbassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters, CEO of The Carter Center, about theimportance of this long-term partnership and all tha t has beenaccomplished. A new Memorandum of Agreement was signed by bothorganisations, which included a pledge from LCIF to provide US$16 millionin support for the Carter Center’s river blindness and trachoma programsthrough 2020. These funds will help The Carter Center, Lions, and thenational government of Ethiopia to press forward to ward river blindnessand blinding trachoma elimination. In addition, support will assist na tionalprograms in Mali and Niger to achieve their goals a gainst trachoma.

Nigeria’s success shows us that elimination is an achievable goal forAfrica. The hard work must continue, as the disease still infects peopleliving in many other states in Nigeria and in man y other parts of Africa.The pain, disfigurement, and vision loss caused by river blindness ispreventable and thanks to partnerships like the one between The CarterCenter and LCIF, along with the generous dona tion by Merck & Co. Inc.,river blindness may well be on its way to global elimina tion.

Carter Center shares success in riverblindness eliminationBeating the odds to make sure

other children also thrive

Blessing ConfidenceUdo is a newcommunity drugdistributor in Aninri,Enugu State, Nigeria.Here, she measures achild to obtain thecorrect dose ofmedication. Photocredit: Carter Center

LCIF AT WORK

By Cassandra RotoloLions spend their lives dedicated to the ser vice of others. Butsometimes, Lions themselves face seemingly insurmountableobstacles.

At only six weeks old, too young to be vaccina ted against it, LionSaipadma Murthy contracted polio. The disease ravaged her tiny body,leaving Saipadma with considerable physical disabilities. Saipadma’s fatherencouraged her to focus on her abilities and use them to improve the livesof other children. This became Saipadma’s guiding mantra. She pursued herown education, despite constant pain and difficulty walking, and hasdedicated her life to empowering children who might otherwise be caughtin an unending cycle of poverty and illiteracy.

In rural India, many families are unable to prioritise the educa tion of theirchildren, especially girls. Children are encouraged to work to support theirfamilies. It can be dangerous for girls to tra vel alone to and from school,and schools often lack basic sanita tion and proper accommodations forpersons with disabilities. Compounding this situation is the fact tha t manyfamilies in rural India are migrant labourers, moving from one place toanother as the seasons change. This is a recipe for wha t Saipadma callssocial and cultural disability.

In 2009, the Gajapatnagaram Lions Club of India, sponsored by the BurrRidge-Hinsdale-Oak Brook Lions Club in the United Sta tes, was awarded agrant from LCIF. The US$5,000 grant renovated a student dormitory inAndhra Pradesh, India, allowing 40 girls to a ttend classes, some for the veryfirst time. This would be the first step in helping tribal children to overcometheir social disabilities.

Thirty-seven boys were enrolled in the school when the expansion workbegan. By 2010, 10 girls were living in the new dormitor y and attendingclasses. Having a dormitory near school allows the children to stay formonths without interrupting their studies while their parents work. “Weweren’t sure we could care for them,” says Saipadma, “because everythingwas so new to them.” There were children now living in the dorms whowere not toilet-trained. There were 12-year-old children who could only readat a second grade level. Aside from reading, writing and arithmetic, thesestudents had to learn basic life skills, like personal health and hygiene.

The second step in overcoming these social disabilities involvedchanging the parents’ perspectives. Saipadma worked diligently,approaching families to discuss ways in which their children could pursuetheir education and still give back to their villa ges. It was not always easyto convince parents that school could provide stability, safety, improvedhealth and a more secure future. But Saipadma persevered.

Currently, 48 girls and 25 bo ys are developing life and academic skillsthat will help them avoid migrant labor, gender stereotypes, child marriageand a host of other obstac les. Alongside teachers and coordinated bySaipadma, these children learn about community c leanliness andorganisation, as well as job skills like wood crafting and sustainableagriculture. To date, 1561 rural and tribal students can no w read and writethanks to Saipadma and other Lions. Lions continue to support the studentsand the dormitory, providing financial assistance and tailoring dona tedclothing to fit the students. The dedication of Lions, together with thesupport of LCIF, is enabling incredible change in rural and tribal India. Thisis the power of your Foundation.

Lion SaipadmaMurthy (centre)cares for herstudents as if theywere her ownchildren.


24

After 32 years in the Royal Australian AirForce and a further eight part-time in theRAAF Reserve, Chris Howard could be just theperson to take Lions Australia to new heights.

Our Council of Governors Chair for 2018-19,Chris is intent on discovering the key to givingLions Australia a surge in membership to carr y itforward into the second centur y of service.

A member of the Canberra Kambah c lub, South

Australian-born Chris lives in Canberra with hiswife, Mary, and after leaving the paid workforceat the end of 2017 no w has the time to devotehimself more to Lions matters.

The couple has three adult sons, two infantgrandsons and an infant granddaughter.

Here Chris shares his thoughts on Lions andhis role.

What are your feelings on becomingCouncil Chair?

I am greatly honoured that the 2018-19District Governors have given me this opportunityto serve. It is both exciting and daunting. Myprimary objective is to support the Governors inachieving all they can during their tenure, whichthey are about to realise is a wfully short,demanding and busy. I will also work with theExecutive Officer and management group toensure business is brought forward to Council. Athird task is representing the Multiple District a t arange of activities including the InternationalConvention, the upcoming ANZI Pacific Forum, theMD Conventions of the other MDs in ourConstitutional Area, and finally chairing the MDConvention in Geelong next May.

Do you have any pet Lions projects?I have had a couple, both of a short dura tion,

such as getting a swimming platform for a localcerebral palsy support group to allo w infants andcarers to comfortably undertake hydro-therapy, tolong-term ones such as Lions Youth Haven andWestwood Farm in the ACT and Queanbeyanregion that supports children at risk.

I also have a soft spot for Australian LionsHearing Dogs. My sister-in-law was the recipientof Robbie a golden retriever they trained before Ijoined Lions. Robbie made such a wonderfuldifference in her life. He gave her confidence asshe recovered from a rela tionship breakdown andan acquired brain injury that affected hearing,smell and balance. Recently, while on a familytrip, we dropped in a t Verdun where the hearingdogs are trained. They have built an impressivefacility with a dedicated team of trainers tha t hasgained international recognition. I think the workof the Hearing Dogs Foundation was probablyinfluential in my joining Lions.

How do you see the future of Lions?Early in my time in Lions I a ttended a Regional

Lions Leadership Institute in Newcastle and hearda guest speaker talking about the ser vice club hehad been a member of for man y years, Apex. Hedescribed how some rigid and inflexible ideas inApex had led to a loss of man y members. Hebeseeched us not to let Lions go the same way .

As a relatively new Lion, I found thisconfronting and concerning. I have tried to heedhis words by promoting flexibility in our a pproachto the business of Lions whenever I can.

We each know why we are in Lions. We have afair idea why many leave, but we could learnmore. And those who decide to join us kno w whythey do so. What we are grappling with is ‘whyaren’t people pressing us to be allo wed to join orto start new clubs?’.

Meet our 2018-19 Council Chair

CHRIS EYES NEW HEIGHTSFOR LIONS IN AUSTRALIA

The Lion



A colleague stated quite bluntly, ‘young peopledon’t want to go to meetings to wa tch old peopleeat’. But what do young people want?

We need fresh hands to allo w those who haveserved for long periods to take more of amentoring role while newer members take moreoperational roles.

A challenge, as I see it, is to reach out to thosenot in our clubs to understand what it is thatinhibits their preparedness to commit to anorganisation like Lions. And once we know whythey don’t wish to join, try to find ways toremove those blockages.

If we can do these things, perhaps our greatorganisation can have another surge in membersto carry us to the end of the second centur y ofservice.

Lions/family balance?Mary and I have been married for more than

40 years. My career in the Ro yal Australian AirForce as a Logistics Officer meant we lived in arange of locations: Elizabeth (SA), Penang(Malaysia), Werribee (VIC), Katherine (NT) andCanberra – not as turbulent as man y militaryfamilies, but still somewhat unsettling.

Our two grandsons live in Melbourne whichmeans we don’t get to see them as much as wewould like. But we still get do wn fairly often.Fortunately, our granddaughter and her parentslive in Canberra which allows much moreflexibility.

At present, the biggest challenge to balancingLions and family life are our two “fur children” –Leia, a 10-year-old bichon frise, and Billie, a10.5-year-old poodle bichon frise cross.Fortunately for us, our youngest son has a greedto care for them when a vailable.

What have been your favourite Lionsmoments?

Seeing a three-year-old girl with a Hart Walkerthat our club had funded through the AustralianLions Childhood Mobility Foundation when I wasclub President take her first steps. Her excitementand enthusiasm was wonderful to behold.

Then as an N Districts DGE I went on a SydneyEye and Tissue bank and NSW/ACT Save SightFoundation tour to see the work of staff andsurgeons in reclaiming people’s sight withdonated corneas. It was another example of ho wwe Lions are changing people’s lives.

What is life like away from Lions?An enduring interest is woodworking. I set up

my workshop about a decade a go but my activitiesin recent years have prevented me getting into theshop. I have inherited a carving project from afriend who is unable to complete it and it will bethe first job once I get back in the shed.

I always try to find time for exercise, to bothmanage my weight and to maintain my health.

While I don’t get to it as often as I’d like, I quiteenjoy cycling. Fortunately, it is an interest tha tMary and I share, although she is much moreactive in the cycling fraternity while I seem tospend a fair amount of time taking the “furchildren” for walks.

My regular sanity break has for man y yearsbeen voluntary work in the nursery of GreeningAustralia here in Canberra. We work with theseasonal cycle to grow local native plants forrevegetation projects, either by individualfarmers, Landcare groups or through communityplantings.

Mary and I enjoy travel and have several trips‘on ice’ at the moment as our commitment to theCouncil Chair role will preclude getting away untilafter the Geelong Convention. I have, incidentally,developed an, albeit limited, interest in quiltingand fabric/textile arts due to Mar y, a keen quilterwho takes me to quilt sho ws and fabric shopswherever we travel.

‘ Our great organisationcan have another surge inmembers to carry us tothe end of the secondcentury of service’

BUSY SCHEDULE: Chris on the Lions job,meeting the Minister for Foreign Affairs theHon. Julie Bishop (above left) at the launch ofthe recent Friendship Grants program, and(above) with then Council Chair Malcolm Petersand their partners and the NSW Minister forMulticulturalism and Disability Services, RayWilliams, at National Volunteer Week. Chrisjokes that two of the biggest challenges to himbalancing Lions and family life are “furchildren” Leia and Billie (top).


26 The Lion

YOUR 2018-19 DISTRICT GOVERNORS

District C1Name: Phil BowmanName of Partner:Jeanette NunnNo. of Years a Lion: 24 Years on Club Board: 20 Years on DistrictCabinet: 5 Theme/Motto for Year:

“Lions is in Your Hands“ Main Objectives for Year: Increase membership,add 2 clubs, increase retention and harmony inclubs, Diabetes AwarenessLions Interests: ALF, LCIF, LMRFOutstanding Lions Achievements: SampsonFlat Bushfire GrantsAwards: MJF, JDR, Club Excellence, ClubAppreciationCivic Interests: LIONSSporting Interests: Cricket, Rugby League, AFL

District C2Name: David Snook OAMName of Partner: PamSnookNames of Children:Darren, Barry,Christopher, AngelaNo. of Years a Lion: 19Years on Club Board: 4Years on District

Cabinet: 5Theme/Motto:“Embrace the World”Main Objective For The Year: Create harmony.Lions Interest: Youth ProjectsOutstanding Lions Achievements: Chair theBeachport Rivoli Bay C2 ConventionAwards: Melvin Jones, Zone Chair Award, KeyMember, Citizen of the Year, OAMBusiness Interests: RetiredSporting Interests: Crows fan.

District N1Name: David EmanuelName of Partner: Lion JillEmanuelNames of Children:Joanne & Scott. We have2 grand children, Chloe &Cooper No Years a Lion: 14 Years on Club Boards: 2

Burwood & 7 at KootingalYears On District Cabinet: 6 Theme/Motto for the Year:“LIONS ...ChampionsOf Change”Main Objectives for the Year: To see clubsstrengthen their numbers by retention and newfacesLions Interest: Childhood Cancer Research andSave Sight Outstanding Lions Achievements: Melvin JonesFellowship from Cabinet Awards: JD Richardson Awards, TreasurerAward, Zone Award, DG award

Business Interest: Now retired, was in electricalappliance retailingCivic Interest: On board of 2 community halls,member of Red Cross, member Tamworth U3ASporting Interest: Enjoy playing tennis and veryseldom a game of golf

District N2Name: Peter ScifleetName of Partner: WendiName(s) of Children:Ashley & Dale,grandchildren: Rory,Alexander & ArielNo. of Years a Lion: 26Years on Club Board:20

Years on District Cabinet: 15 Theme/Motto for Year: "Change" & "Alone wecan do so little, together we can do so much" -Helen Keller Main Objectives for Year: Change andbreakdown perceived barriers between Cabinet &Clubs Lions Interests: EverythingOutstanding Lions Achievements: NumerousAwards: NumerousBusiness Interests: Company Director, RingwayControl & AutomationCivic Interests: LionsSporting Interests: Cricket, Rugby, RugbyLeague & baseball when in the USA

District N3Name: Keith L StewartName of Partner: DianaM StewartName(s) of Children:Katherine, Andrew andGeorginaNo. of Years a Lion: 20+broken service

Years on Club Board: 16Years on District Cabinet: 9Theme/Motto for Year: “Lions Creating Magic”Main Objectives for Year: To show that ourefforts and achievements are creating “a littlemagic” in the lives of thousands. We should bejustly proud of bringing smiles to faces all overthe world. To complete one major district-wide,multi-club service project in each area of the“Five Pillars of Service”Lions Interests: Meeting likeminded people,those who care for their fello w men, from aroundthe corner and around the worldOutstanding Lions Achievements: The “Dollarfor Darwin” appeal, Cairns 1974. A joint projectwith all service clubs of Cairns in the wake ofCyclone Tracy. Raising over $100,000 in a week.Delivering over 300 presentations promotingearly detection of prostate cancer.Awards: Melvin Jones and Helen KellerFellowshipsBusiness Interests: Retired now, but workedprimarily in hospitality, transport managementand salesCivic Interests: Friendship Force International,

and U3A, Prostate Cancer Awareness Sporting Interests: Cricket, Rugby League (goKnights!) and car racing

District N4Name: Gavan EllisName of Partner: JennyEllis Name(s) of Children:Darren, Michell, ToddNo. of Years a Lion: 14 Years on Club Board: 11 Years on District

Cabinet: 4 Theme/Motto for Year: “Navigating Towards theFuture” Main Objectives for Year: Enhancingmembership within the District. Promotingleadership opportunities for Lions andencouraging all to have fun and friendship whileserving others Lions Interests: Working with and mentoringLions to achieve what they fear is beyond theirability Outstanding Lions Achievements: Being anactive Lion and participating in club activities.Organising and rostering fundraising events.Awards: James McLardie, James D Richardson. Business Interests: Retired ambulanceparamedic Civic Interests: State Emergency ServiceSporting Interests: Fishing

District N5Name: Derek MargerisonName of Partner:Barbara Margerison Name(s) of Children:Peter & BelindaNo. of Years a Lion: 17 Years on Club Board:14Years on District

Cabinet: 7 Theme/Motto for Year: "Working togetherLIONS SERVE hands on" Main Objectives for Year: To continue thegrowth of clubs and Lions in the District Lions Interests: Increase the standing andrecognition of Lions activities by the community Outstanding Lions Achievements: First publicrelations coordinator in the District Awards: Melvin Jones Award Business Interests: Retired industrial relations Civic Interests: Participation in four Justice ofthe Peace tables in the Blacktown Council area,Neighbourhood Watch, scouting and P & C Sporting Interests: Foundation member of theGreater Western Sydney GIANTS


August - October 2018 27

District Q1Name: Kim Forrest Name of Partner: PDGRoss ForrestName(s) of Children:Rebecca-Lee, Benjamin,Christopher, Douglas,Shennai & BryceNo. of Years a Lion: 16

Years on Club Board: 16Years on District Cabinet: 9 Theme/Motto for Year:“Igniting the Future, NeverForgetting the Past” Main Objectives for Year: Build a strongfoundation for the District, bring everyone backonto the same page and to remember why we alljoined Lions Interests: Leadership now and into thefutureAwards: Club Presidents Excellence Medal, EricHerbert Club Award, International YouthChairperson recognition award, District GovernorsAppreciation award, Lions International Certificateof Achievement, Lions International Leadershipcertificate, James McLardie Award, Professor IanFraser Humanitarian Award, Ray Phippard FellowAwardBusiness Interests: Machine embroidery, busdriver for special needs children, child care andowned and ran own fabric, quilting and machineembroidery business Sporting Interests: Swimming and running after11 grandchildren

District Q2Name: Allan HansenName of Partner: EllenNames of Children:Shane Darren, Pippi-marieand BrettNumber of Years inLions: 11Years on Club Board: 9 Years on District

Cabinet: 4 Theme/Motto For Year: “Together We Serve”Main Objective for Year: Encourage moremembers to take up leadership roles, decreasethe number of members resigning from c lubs, increase club membership Lions Interest: Helping our club with projects andassisting with the management of our seniorcitizen’s villageBusiness Interest: Retired Civic Interests: I serve as a Driver ReviverCoordinator & Lucinda District Flood warden Sporting Interests: Fishing, gem mining and gemcutting.

District Q3Name: CarmelGoldsworthyName of Partner: Robert(Bob)Name(s) of Children:Thomas & LennardNo. of Years a Lion: 10 Years on Club Board: 9 Years on District

Cabinet: 9 Years on MD Committees: 9 Theme/Motto for Year:“From the City to TheCountry - We Serve”Main Objectives for Year: Endeavour to retaincurrent membership, whilst looking to obtainnew members and have FUN. Lions Interests: All Lions projects – especiallyYouth Projects & Constitutional matters.Outstanding Lions Achievements: Being a partof the “Revised” Lions Quest initiative inAustralia. Being asked to become a Lionsmember after being a Lions Lad y for 28 years.Attending Regional Lions Leadership Institute -2010, Australian Lions Leadership Institute -2015, 4 International Lions Conventions & 2ANZI ForumsAwards: Melvin Jones Fellow, James McLardieAward, The Neil Williams Award - ChildhoodCancer, A.L.F. Community Award, Professor IanFrazer Humanitarian Award, Membership KeyAward, Guiding Lion, Centennial 100 ExcellenceAward, Club President Excellence Award andClub Awards. Business Interests: Retired after a career inhealth industry Civic Interests: Toowoomba Branch President,Queensland Country Women’s Association,Commission for Declarations. Member ofToowoomba Hospice AssociationSporting Interests: Swimming, tennis

District Q4Name: William (Bill)MooreName of Partner:Bernadette Moore Name(s) of Children:Michael, Patrick, Geoffrey,Julie No. of Years a Lion: 11

Years on Club Board: 5 Years on District Cabinet: 5 Theme/Motto for Year:“Moving Forward” Main Objectives for Year: Improve cabinetsupport for Clubs through better training,communications, teamwork and modernisation Lions Interests: Local Lion’s club initiativessuch as the Buderim “Walk to School” Program Outstanding Lions Achievements: Cooking300 eggs in a row. I just enjoy workingalongside my fellow Lions members Awards: DG Star Award Business Interests: Retired Civic Interests: Volunteer Coast GuardSporting Interests: Sailing

District T1Name: Vere CooperName of Partner: CherylCooperName(s) of Children: David,James, Geoffrey, Emily andMelvyn (from first marriages)No. of Years a Lion: 42Years on Club Board: 30

Years on District Cabinet: 5 Theme/Motto for Year: “Advance Change”Main Objectives for Year: Advance diabetesawareness and the concept of c lub renewal,improve retention and make members more a wareof online resources and support from LCI Lions Interests: Expanding opportunities for youthincluding Youth of the Year and Leos Outstanding Lions Achievements: Designing andbuilding a BBQ and shelter utilising Lions andmunicipal resources; Design of a helipad for a cityhospital in conjunction with SES. Awards: Melvyn Jones Fellow, Tasmanian LionsFellow, 100% Presidents award, 100% treasurer’saward, 100% secretary award, President’s award,Key Member pin, Zone Chair awardBusiness Interests: Retired civil/municipalengineer and cattle grazier Civic Interests: Engineers Australia, Institute of PublicWorks Engineering Australasia & Uniting ChurchSporting Interests: Golf, swimming, fishing andbridge, with snow skiing and flying light aircraftnow just a memory

District V1-4Name: Murray BaudName of Partner: JacquelineBaudName(s) of Children:Melanie, SheldonNo. of Years a Lion: 8 Years on Club Board: 6Years on District Cabinet: 6

Theme/Motto for Year: “Help Us Help You:Community, Club, Self” Main Objectives for Year: Strategic district review,improve proactive marketing within the district andincrease utilisation of Lions training facilities forpersonal and club development Lions Interests: The work of foundationssupporting community projects and internationalphilanthropic projectsOutstanding Lions Achievements: Guiding Lion fornew clubs, club response to community disaster,District roles as Foundations Chairperson, Support toGMT with detailed analysis.Awards: James D Richardson, Melvin Jones Fellow,LCIF Chairpersons Medal Business Interests: Telecommunications andtechnology consultancy Civic Interests: Community development:Community Bank Director, Eucalyptus Distillery,Museum management, Inglewood Development andTourism Committee, local historical society memberSporting Interests: Golf, Australian Rules(Essendon!)


28 The Lion

District V2Name: Biddy (Elizabeth)WeelName of Husband: NickWeelChildren: Andrea, Fiona,StephenNo. of Years a Lion: 20Years on Club Board: 6

Years on Cabinet: 6Theme/Motto for Year:“It’s the Little Things”Objectives: To increase membership by onemember per club/fun timesLions Interests: To create happiness in allaspects of clubsAchievements: Leadership Certificate by JoePreston Int. PresidentAwards: Leo Tyquin Award (2) for Dedication toDistrict, Neil Williams Award from Simpson Clubfor work with Childhood Cancer ResearchFoundation, DG’s Service Award, PCC Eric BlackAward for Top Administrator, Dr Bob CoulthardRecognition Award for service to Lions Eye HealthProgram, James D Richardson Award for EyeHealth Program.Business Interests: Our farm and clothing shopCivic Interests: To assist members of ourcommunity to lead healthy livesSporting Interests: Playing golf, watchingfootball

District V3Name: Peter PayneName of Partner: DesmaPayneName(s) of Children:Janine and ChristineNo. of Years a Lion:10Years on Club Board: 5 Years on DistrictCabinet: 6

Theme/Motto for Year:"Be the Difference-Create more Opportunities"Main Objectives for Year: Focus on developingMembership, Leadership and Service at Club,Zone and District levelLions Interests: Club and communitydevelopment, funding grantsOutstanding Lions Achievements: Achievedsignificant funding via grants for three local c lubsAwards: James D Richardson Business Interests: Disability services/community healthCivic Interests: Education/youthGeneral Interests: Caravanning, travelling,gardening

District V5Name: Laurie CooperName of Partner:Claudia Name(s) of Children:Tony and JulieNo. of Years a Lion: 9Years on Club Board: 5Years on District

Cabinet: 5Theme/Motto for Year: “Navigating towards theFuture”Main Objectives for Year: To actively addressthe issue of avoidable member losses (improvethe member experience), to launch an informedand authoritative program aimed at addressingthe issue of diabetes, to improve clubengagement with their communities, tomaintain/enhance current membershipdevelopment and training programs in theDistrict, to ensure that clubs take responsibilityfor management, including membership andservice development Lions Interests: Especially interested in Lionshealth programs, youth and support forvulnerable and needy people in our communitiesOutstanding Lions Achievements: Participatedin launching and conducting a MidnightBasketball Program (a program to support “atrisk” youth in our community), introduced intomy home club, along with my wife, Claudia,sponsored places for underprivileged kiddies a tannual camps held at Licola Wilderness VillageAwards: I have a few District Governor a wards(I’m not now nor ever have been an awardsperson)Business Interests: I’m now retired butmaintain an interest in my former role as anorganisation and people development specialist(I find this useful in dealing with c lubs). Civic Interests: I am a member of two localgovernment project teams, both dealing with“Youth at Risk” programs. Apart from that, Lionskeeps me busy.Sporting Interests: No longer active in sport butclosely follow English and European football,Australian Rules Football and international crosscountry skiing

District V6Name: Judy McKerrowName of Partner: RonMcKerrowName(s) of Children:Ashley & RowanNo. of Years a Lion: 24Years on Club Board: 24Years on District

Cabinet: 14 Theme/Motto for Year: ”Accepting theChallenge - We Serve”Main Objectives for Year: To encourage clubsto grow their membership and to ha ve fun whilstdoing soLions Interests: Youth projectsOutstanding Lions Achievements: Beingpresented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship by the

Lake Charm Mystic Park Lions ClubAwards: International President DistrictMembership Award, Key Member Award, DistrictGovernor Star Award, James D RichardsonHonour Award, Club President's AppreciationAward, several District Governor AppreciationAwardsBusiness Interests: Retired Civic Interests: Volunteer at local opportunityshopSporting Interests: Lawn bowls

District W1Name: Luen ChicoteName(s) of Children:AndrewNo. of Years a Lion: 16 Years on Club Board:10 Years on DistrictCabinet: 5 Theme/Motto for Year:

“Accept Connect to Serve” Main Objectives for Year: Membership retentionand growth and utilising the MyLION, Lionswebsite, and other social media to connect withthe current members, youth and youngermembers.Lions Interests: LCIF, MyLION, PR, GST, GMTOutstanding Lions Achievements: Starting abranch club Awards: James Richardson Honour Award,Centennial sponsorship, membership growthBusiness Interests: Rental properties andrenovationCivic Interests: Teaching primary school childrenhow to save and budgetSporting Interests: Tennis and golf

District W2Name: Beverley AnneHawkinsName of Partner: AlanJohn HawkinsName(s) of Children:Murray &TroyNo. of Years a Lion: 22Years on Club Board:15

Years on District Cabinet: 11 Theme/Motto for Year: “Lions & CommunityWork Together” Main Objectives for Year: Increase clubs &membershipLions Interests: Lions Myalup CottagesAwards: Melvin Jones Business Interests: Retired

YOUR 2018-19 DISTRICT GOVERNORS



TAKING CARE: Lions can’t make it rain but six V5 c lubs brought some joy to womendoing it tough in drought-affected communities.

Members and volunteers joined forces in the Mordialloc Mentone c lub rooms recently tocreate 120 health and beauty packa ges, including 15 especially for teenage girls. Productswere donated by an anonymous company impressed by Lions community ser vice

The care packs went to the V3 Need 4 Feed Disaster Relief project, led by GraemeCockerell of the Pakenham club.


LEOS IN ACTION

Leos shine at TownsvilleConventionLeos certainly made their presence felt at theMD Convention in Townsville in May.

Apart from the five outstanding young menparticipating in the Leo of the Year competition,Leos were actively involved in the Fla g Ceremony,the Youth Forum and the Leo Display, and wereenthusiastic participants in the various socialfunctions, such as lawn bowls (pictured below)

over the weekendCongratulations to Leo Matthew Boggon from

Crestwood Leo Club in N5 who took out the titleof National Leo of the Year, and to Leo KierenAzzopardi from Hobsons Bay Leo Club in V2(both pictured below) who was judged the bestPublic Speaker. The other LOTY entrants, KodyJorgensen (Swanies, Q4), Dakota Gallagher(Penguin, T1) and Reegan Davis (Waroona, W2)were also great examples of the quality ofpassionate and dedicated Leos in our Leo c lubsacross the country.

Following the Convention, the five Leo of theYear entrants, together with last year’s winnerJesse Pascoe, have formed a national LeoAdvisory Panel. They will discuss ideas relevant

to the Leo club programand provide advice to theMD Leo committee toinform future direction andpolicy within the nationalLeo program.

Around the DistrictsAshford Leos (N1)(pictured right) have beenpresented with a GoldAward from the AustralianLions Childhood CancerResearch Foundation inrecognition of the fundsthey have raised for theFoundation. Ashford is asmall community of around450 people, and one in 30of those people are Leos!The Leos have raised money through car washdays and ‘hiring out’ their services to the elderlyand less-mobile residents to work around theirhomes.

Waroona Lions Club (W2) formed the WaroonaLeo Club only two years a go and already haswelcomed its first ex-Leo into their Lions c lub. AsMatthew Della Franca, 18, was becoming a Lion,the Leo club inducted four new members. Way togo, Waroona!

Leos in District N3 got together for their annualYouth Camp at the end of April. The outdooractivities of canoeing, archery, thong throwingand ‘Mud World’ (pictured below) were balancedwith informative and inspirational presentations.Evening entertainment took the form of a triviachallenge and a karaoke/dance night. LEO = Let’sEnjoy Ourselves!

Handover AwardsCongratulations to all Leos who have receivedwell-deserved recognition from their clubs or LCIin recent handover ceremonies. FromInternational Leadership Medals, 100% PresidentAwards, Leo Award of Honour, and others – thereare too many to name here – but all haveprovided exemplary service to earn theseawards. Well done!

You can read more about Leo projects andachievements on the “Leo Clubs Australia”Facebook page. It is a closed group, so you needto ask to join, but please do! Leos value yoursupport.

Leos and Lions – partners in ser vice.Lion Toni Lanphier

MD Leo committee



YOUTH OF THE YEAR

We have a new national Youth of the Yearwinner following the National Final atTownsville.

Tom Rockliff, sponsored by the Lions Club ofKentish, T1, won the final after presenting hisspeech, “Growing Up”.

The National Public Speaking winner was LucyWitherdin, who was sponsored by the Lions Clubof Elermore Vale (N3). Her speech was titled“Grandparents”.

Starting on the 27th December, our six statewinners will travel to Tauranga, New Zealand, toattend a Lions International Youth Camp for 10days, followed by six days being hosted by theLions Club of Kentish in Tasmania. (Note that theLIYC is not based a t the usual campsite, close toRotorua).

On behalf of the Youth of the Year, sub-committee, I extend our appreciation to Lionspersonnel at all levels for their contributionstowards the success of last year’s YOTY Program.Without your support and many hours of work,the National Final wouldn’t have taken place.

At the time of writing all District Chairpersonshad received the hard-copy sta tionery for thisyear’s Program.

There have been major alterations to the entryform: It has been redesigned so entrants canclearly delineate their achievements at schoolfrom those achievements in the community.Entrants now have the opportunity of providingtheir judges with their background informa tion inorder that the judges can break-the-ice whenthey present for their inter views.

The points’ allocation has also altered: Theinterview now accounts for 70 points, previously80, while the public speaking is retained a t 30points.

All stationery which you may still ha ve shouldbe despatched to the bin with the yello w lid, as ithas been revised to reflect changes. Only on-handstocks of certificates should be retained for usethis year.

We prefer that entrants complete their entr yforms using the writeable PDF, available fordownloading from our website:http://lionsclubs.org.au/activities/youth/yoty/yoty-resources/. In fact most of the forms which weutilise are writeable and these inc lude the YOTYClub Registration and the Winner Advisory forms.

The password to access the secure, onlinedocuments and forms has been altered. Pleasecontact your District Chairperson for it so you mayaccess them.

It’s also time to again commence approachingschools to encourage students’ participation inthis year’s program. Please remember that snail-mails and emails do not work and rarely result inthe recruiting of entrants. The best method is theone-on-one (eyeballing) where direct contact ismade with a school staff member who will

ultimately become your ‘champion’.Saturday, 30th June marked the conc lusion of

Jenny Tripptree’s (see picture above)13 years asState Coordinator for Tasmania.

Whilst we have recognised Jenny (at the lasttwo MD conventions) it is a ppropriate, again, torecognise her contribution to the YOTY Program.

Jenny has always striven to encourage andeven to cajole clubs and students to participa te inLions Australia’s benchmark youth project. Totaldedication is the appropriate definition of Jenny’swork over these years. She, or rather theProgram, have faced challenges in Tasmania overthese years and Jenny has confronted themhead-on. Her work has begun to yield results withthe south east clubs slowly becoming reinvolved.

The January 2013 bushfires in S.E. Tasmania,during the last of the ‘old’ national tours, meant aquick alteration to plans and destina tions,however, Jenny was unfazed by this disaster. Itwas well managed and the state winners werenot placed in any danger.

Perhaps Jenny has had something to do withTasmanian entrants winning three Na tional Titlesduring her 13 years: Emma Davey 2009, WilliamTeare 2010 and Tom Rockliff 2018.

Jenny, together with, and on behalf of the otherState Coordinators and Tasmania’s Lions, we wishyou well for your retirement. Just joking! We allknow that you’ll soldier-on most likely with YOTYat club level, along with all manner of Lionsactivities.

We have been concerned about the fallingparticipation of clubs in the last five years. Each

District Chairperson has set a target for increasedparticipation. If your club has not participated fora few years please give considera tion toparticipating in this outstanding youth project. It isrewarding for you, the club, the club’s membersand of course the participa ting students.

For some districts, the targets below may beambitious, however, the aim should be not to gobackwards. Stop the drops!

Brian WilliamsNational Chairman

Youth of the Year Project

C1 7 4 11C2 19 9 28N1 26 4 30N2 16 9 25N3 26 2 28N4 15 2 17N5 24 2 26Q1 38 7 45Q2 35 2 37Q3 42 1 43Q4 38 2 40T1 8 2 10V1-4 23 3 26V2 27 7 34V3 10 2 12V5 9 5 14V6 18 2 20W1 10 2 12W2 9 1 10

TOTALS 400 68 468

District Clubs Additional T arget 2017-18 2018-19 2018-19

DEDICATION: Past Tasmanian State Coordinator Jenny Tripptree joins 2018 National Youth of the Year winnerTom Rockliff on stage at the Townsville MD Convention.


32 The Lion


lion · 2018-08-07 · 4 lion by gudrun, lions clubs national esident reaching for new horizons...

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