Lion-Dec-Jan-1-7 Sect 1 _template Lion
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Lion-Dec-Jan-1-7 Sect 1 _template Lion
DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010 AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA EDITION $1 Registered by Australia Post Publication No. pp255003/01624 Registered by Australia Post Publication No. pp255003/01624 DIGGERS GIVE THANKS TO LIONS How we’re supporting our troops in all conditions MEET THE MAN WHO COULD BE PRESIDENT Australian Lion vies for top job Lions join fight to save the Tasmanian devil Leos show their style CLUB SUPPLIES Members should be aware that we are performing our annual stocktake from 14 December 2009 and we will not be able to process any orders between this date and the new year. Members will still be able to lodge orders for Club Supplies after 14 December however these will not be despatched until 2010. Club Supplies is changing. Members and clubs can look forward to new and better product lines and a more streamlined and efficient ordering process. Make sure you get your orders in in time for the changeover. In the meantime, take a sneak peak at our new, updated online shop at www.lionsclubsshop.com.au ‘We serve’ Lion – Australia and PNG 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 Ph: (03) 9744 1368 Email: [email protected] Advertising Manager: Graham Madigan 68 Wyeree Road, Mandurah, Western Australia 6210 Ph: (08) 9535 2927, 0409 883 455 Email: [email protected] Lions Australia website: www.lionsclubs.org.au Deadlines: 1st day of month before cover date. MD201 Council of Governors: John McIntosh C1, Corinne Stone C2, Christine Woolnough N1, Paul Helmling N2, Marilyn Kinealy JP N3, Ray Strong N4, Maureen Beryl Payne N5, John C Lynch Q1, John D W Muller OAM Q2, Heather Short Q3, Helen Schellbach Q4, Robert (John) Gillham T1, Jill Qualtrough V1-4, Bob Gilchrist, Thomas Shillito V3, Robert Kann V5, Alan Lindsay Millar V6, Pamela Dawn Baird W1, Neil F Saunders W2. 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 Executive Director – Peter Lynch Managing Editor - Dane La Joye, Lions Clubs International 300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842 USA Executive Officers President Eberhard J. Wirfs, Am Munsterer Wald 11, 65779 Kelkheim, Germany; Immediate Past President Al Brandel, 14 Herrels Circle, Melville, NY, 11747-4247, USA; First Vice President Sid L. Scruggs III, 698 Azalea Drive, Vass, North Carolina, 28394, USA; Second Vice President Dr. Wing-Kun Tam, Unit 1901-2, 19/F, Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong, China. Directors First year: Enrico Cesarotti, Rome, Italy; Luis Dominguez, Mijas Pueblo, Spain; Gary B. D’Orazio, Idaho, United States; Yasumasa Furo, Dazaifu, Japan; K.P.A. Haroon, Cochin, India; Carlos A. Ibañez, Panama City, Panama; Ronald S. Johnson, Maine, United States; ByeongDeok Kim, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Horst P. Kirchgatterer, Wels/Thalheim, Austria; Hamed Olugbenga Babajide Lawal, Ikorodu, Nigeria; Daniel A. O’Reilly, Illinois, United States; Richard Sawyer, Arizona, United States; Anne K. Smarsh, Kansas, United States; Jerry Smith, Ohio, United States; Michael S. So, Makati, the Philippines; Haynes H. Townsend, Georgia, United States; Joseph Young, Ontario, Canada. Second Year: Bishnu Bajoria, Bankura, India; Ken Bird, Brisbane, Australia; Kwang-Soo Jang, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Douglas A. Lozier, Indiana, USA; Shyam Malpni, Mumbai, India; Art Marson, Wisconsin, USA; Dr. Jerimiah “Doc” Myers, Alaska, USA; Ellis Suriyati Omar, Kuching, Malaysia; Eugenio Roman Jr., Arecibo, Puerto Rico; Bojan Sober, Rijeka, Croatia; Dr. Ton Soeters, Huizen, The Netherlands; Neil Spencer, Florida, USA; Beverly L. Stebbins, Texas, USA; Tadao Sugimoto, Hokkaido, Japan; Prof. Dr. Hayri Ulgen, Istanbul, Turkey; Rosane Jahnke Vailatti, Penha, Brazil; Debra Wasserman, Minnesota, USA. December 2009 - January 2010 Volume 86 No. 1 Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropy COVER: Whether Lions Mints or Lions Christmas Cakes, our Diggers serving overseas are thankful for these gifts from home. See stories page 5. Our cover “To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation” Page 5 - Diggers say thanks CONTENTS 4 International President’s report 5 Aussie troops say thanks 6 Lions Action 8 Barry’s bid for Lions’ top job 10 Chairman’s report 12 Promote your club online 13 New centre for young 15 Devil of a good idea Page 12 - Gov. General & Lions 16 Mildura convention workshops 21 Dancing with our stars 22 A tasty Tassie morsel 24 Around the nation 28 Official announcements Contributions Page 15 - Saving the devil Contributions for the February March 2010 issue should be submitted by January 1 to The Editor, Lion Magazine, Fawcett Media, 20 Millett Rd, Gisborne South, Victoria 3437 or emailed to [email protected] 3 The good news on membership By Eberhard J. Wirfs, President, The International Association of Lions Clubs Goethe, the great writer from Frankfurt, once remarked, “What is not started today is never finished.” Well, Lions started on new membership drives right when this Lions year began in July and though the job is far from finished we’ve made incredible progress. We’ve started 370 new clubs in July and August, compared to the 95 we averaged in the first two months of the last two years (and those were good years for membership). The membership news is uniformly good. Each of our seven constitutional areas has chartered more clubs than they did at this time last year. There are 24 new clubs in the United States compared to 15 at this time last year. India has seen tremendous growth. We’ve added clubs in nations with great growth potential such as China and in nations where Lions are underrepresented such as Iraq and Bahrain. How did we do it? We built on the momentum of the Ginkgo’s power. We benefitted from the leadership, expertise and passion of the new structure of the Global Membership Team and the regionally installed District Governor teams (the district governor and two vice district governors). But everyday Lions throughout the world also took responsibility for adding members. We know when it comes to service Lions rise to the occasion when they see a need in their community. Now they’ve seen a need in their clubs and they’ve responded by inducting new Lions. The Quick-Start Gingko Awards I established also spurred membership growth. District Governors who added a set number of new clubs (the number varied by constitutional area) in the first two months of this Lion year were eligible for the award. I am proud to announce that 57 governors with their teams to date qualified for the award as well as two Coordinating Lions. We can’t rest on our laurels and we must also be more openminded in terms of membership. We have nearly 260,000 female Lions, which is about 20 percent of our total membership. But many clubs need to do better about reaching out to women, especially spouses of members. I personally advanced this cause at the international convention in Minneapolis when I inducted Margit, my wife, during a plenary session. The Lions responded warmly, and I’m sure your club also will find that adding women, however many you have now, will only add to its effectiveness and vitality. Lions, continue to Move to Grow this year. We are part of the world’s greatest service organisation. Invite others to join us. There is strength in numbers and our strength is increasing. 4 Aussie troops Australia’s fighting men and women give a big thumbs-up to Lion Mints Australian troops serving in the Middle East and Afghanistan have passed on a vote of thanks to Australian Lions for “freshening them up” with a supply of Lion Mints. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Joint Task Force 633, Colonel Lindsay Morton, told the Lion magazine the mints have been popular with troops, providing a refreshing energy boost. “The days are long and hot over here (and sometimes icy), so it’s nice to grab a mint every now and again to add a little spring to your step,” Colonel Morton said. The Lion Mints are found around many of the various headquarters buildings and throughout the Middle East wherever the Australian troops operate and are a visible reminder of the support from home. “They provide a simple reminder of the great support we get from all sections of the Australian community,” Colonel Morton said. “So we thank Lions Australia for its support, and congratulate its members on the great work they do in communities across Australia,” he said. Australia's military contribution to Afghanistan is part of the nation’s broader commitment to Coalition efforts against international terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security. The Australian deployment, comprising around 1550 personnel in Afghanistan and a further 850 across the Middle East, is known as Operation SLIPPER. Under Operation SLIPPER, Australian forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, aimed at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. Lions Mints are available at many locations around Australia. If you require mints contact your Local Lions Club or Lion Mint Australia Committee Chairman Sam Lochhead – [email protected]. Clubs can download order forms from a link on the Lions Australia website (www.lionsclubs.org.au/mints/info .php) or free call 1800 815 787. CAKES AWAY: A shipment of Lions Christmas Cakes is seen off by (left to right) Andrew Baker from Everyman’s Welfare Service, Lions Marketing Manager David McKenzie, Doug Shields, Padre Wyllie and Julia Hamilton-Smith of Everyman’s, plus two Army transport personnel. Lion stay minty fresh REFRESHERS AT THE FRONT: Colonel Lindsay Morton (above left) says Australian troops serving in the Middle East and Afghanistan are gaining energy and great comfort from the supply of Lion Mints. Meantime, the troops are doing invaluable community service, such as (above) providing health checks for locals when on patrol. ...and Lions take the cakes, too! Christmas treat for our troops in Afghanistan Lions Australia and Top Taste have again combined to send 1000 1kg Lions Christmas cakes to our troops on the ground in war-torn Afghanistan this Christmas. This will be the third year that we, along with Top Taste, have done this. The initial contact comes from Everyman’s Welfare Service which acts as a support organisation for Australia’s Defence Forces at home and overseas. It liaises with Defence Force chaplains to have the cakes transported to the troops on the ground. It is a well co-ordinated effort with Lions and Top Taste arranging the cakes, Army transport and the collecting of the cakes which are flown out of Amberley Air Force base west of Brisbane. The Air Force loads and flies the cakes overseas December 2009 - January 2010 with the chaplains watching over the project every step of the way. “It is a wonderful feeling to see these cakes heading to Afghanistan and to know that they are so much appreciated by our troops in that area,” says Lions Marketing Committee Manager David McKenzie OAM. “The stories that have been told to us, especially by Chaplain Wyllie who has been there at Christmas, should make every member of Lions feel just so proud to be involved.” Our troops say thanks for Christmas cheer 5 LIONS ACTION Burns unit breakthrough Thanks to Lions of C2 and an LCIF grant, burns victims in the Burns Unit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital now have a far greater rate of recovery. The difference has been a $150,000 con-focal microscope (Vivascope), a new item of technology that has revolutionised the treatment of burns by avoiding the need for repeat biopsies to assess the progress of skin grafts. With a Vivascope, the need for repeat anaesthetics and surgical interventions is avoided and there is less risk of infection that always accompanies any burns surgery and the obvious pain and discomfort for the patient. In use for the past year, it is the only model being used in Australia and has brought a dramatic improvement in the treatment of burns in the RAH Burns Unit. It has also helped the unit to become the first of its type in the world outside of the USA to receive accreditation from the American Burns Association. This is a singular outcome for all concerned and is testament to the relationship between the Lions of C2, the Julian Burton Burns Trust and the Burns Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and its director Dr John Greenwood AM. FOOTNOTE: Readers might remember that in an earlier issue of the Australian Lion we reported on the aftermath of the Bali Bombings and the effect this had on the Burns Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. In particular we told of Julian Burton OAM, whose football career was ended by the injuries he sustained in the bombing of the Sari Nightclub. We Dr John Greenwood (sitting) and Julian Burton (standing) demonstrate the new explained Julian’s Vivascope on a volunteer from Brighton Lions in South Australia. respect for the work of the Burns Unit and named South Australian of the Year for his work especially his gratitude for the treatment there. with the Trust and the Burns Unit. Arising from this experience Julian launched the – Bill Watts Julian Burton Burns Trust. Recently he was $1 million eye health boost Lions of N5 can be proud of the $1 million they have raised to fund vital paediatric ophthalmology equipment at Sydney Children’s Hospital. N5 Lions recently visited the Eye Clinic at the hospital in Randwick to see firsthand the pieces of medical equipment their amazing fundraising efforts have provided. Included is a RetCam ll, used extensively to diagnose abnormalities in the eyes of children. Located in the hospital’s Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, it detects eye diseases that affect premature babies, cancer of the retina (back of the eye) and infants that have been physically abused (shaken baby syndrome). The RetCam II has been indispensable in looking for bleeding in the back of the eyes of children who have been physically abused. It has also allowed early diagnosis of sight-threatening retinal haemorrhages which would otherwise have remained undiagnosed. “Sydney Children’s Hospital depends on community support from organisations like Lions clubs to ensure our patients and staff have access to the best equipment and facilities,” said Adam Check, chief executive of Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Lions Club District 201N5 is making a positive investment in the health and wellbeing of children from all over NSW and beyond.” Enquiries: Claire Beaver, Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, 02 9382 1188, [email protected]. RetCam ll photos taken of the back of the eye and showing bleeding in the right retina. 6 Lion Making every second count Thanks in part to N3 Lions, many children with terminal illnesses will be able to spend the final stages of their lives with their families. year after the death of Nicholas Butters, a 14With the assistance of a $100,000 N3 year-old who had grown up on the shores of donation, work has started at the John Hunter Lake Macquarie and who had suffered brain Children’s Hospital on facilities to support tumours from age five. care. palliative paediatric Fondly known as Captain Butterfly, Nicholas This donation will assist construction of was admired for his courage, patience and loving specialised facilities. nature. His parents, Jenny and Craig, endured The service will make it possible for terminally many years of travel to Sydney for his care while to close stay ill children and their families to raising two other children, Coen and Alex. home for hospital-based care. It’s planned that When Nicholas died the family decided a fitting the program will be extended to cover the legacy would be to create home-like spaces Northern Area Child Health Network, a region within acute hospitals in regional NSW – stretching from the Hawkesbury in the south to comfortable and pleasant surroundings for the beyond and north the in border the Queensland child and the family during their darkest hours. the ranges to the west. Such needs are well recognised by the Hunter However, more is yet to be done – with the New England Health Service. cost of services across the Hunter, New England The Nicholas Trust reports that, thanks to Lions and Taree area expected to be close to $2 and significant community and corporate clubs million. support, the project is ahead of schedule. These facilities, combined with expert clinical Many local tradesmen and suppliers support and training for regional clinicians, will volunteered time and products for free. And Lions create Australia’s first co-ordinated and have again provided community leadership in regionally focused Paediatric Palliative care turning this worthwhile vision into a reality. service. The project, voted in for an initial three years, The Lions project sprang from the 2007 will receive the support of clubs from N1 and N3 Dunedoo Convention of N3 that unanimously at least until the end of 2010 voted to establish The Lions Nicholas Trust donated have clubs N1 then Since For more details, visit the N3 website Support Fund. (www.lionsclubs.org.au/201n3) and go to the $100,000. A boy named Nicholas Lions Nicholas Trust Support Fund tab or visit the The Nicholas Trust was established in 2005, a Nicholas Trust website (www.nicholastrust.org). TELL YOUR STORY 201N3 District governor Marilyn Kinealy visits the construction site at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital along with members of the Nicholas Trust Board, representatives from the Northern Area Child Health Network and members of the LNTSF committee, following the cheque presentation. Walking tall Public Relations Focus International President Eberhard J Wirfs has called on Lions of the world to organise a major Public Relations activity in the last two weeks of January 2010. Lions have gained worldwide recognition for our work to improve sight. But we are not ‘in sight’ of the general public. That’s why International President Eberhard J Wirfs is asking every club, district and multiple district to organise a major public relations activity during the last two weeks of January 2010. The Multiple District Council is supporting this initiative. So what to do? We know that many of our clubs take a short break over Christmas to recharge the batteries, but we want to see if we can still make a “splash” in our local media. Although many Australians are on holidays, it might just be the time when your local newspaper is finding it difficult to fill pages? Why not use this opportunity to promote your club by: • Sending a media release to your local paper or radio station advertising your club’s Australia Day activities. • Sending a media release to your local paper or radio station describing your program of activities for the year, and promoting the work of your club. You will find media release templates in the “Publications” section of the National Website. TELL YOUR STORY. December 2009 - January 2010 It was the sort of scene that happens all the time when Lions are about ... someone’s life being made a little bit happier. It happened in NSW recently when young Abdullah was presented with his new Lionssponsored Meywalker. Noel Burchmore, District Chairman of the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation, was joined by Mei, President of Sydney Chinese Lions, in making the presentation. Several clubs raised funds to make the walker possible. 7 BARRY’S LIONS’ PATRICK the Lion Namers MEET THE MAN WHO COULD BE PRESIDENT P atrick makes it easy to track down Lions and their wives (not to mention Lionesses and Leo’s!) We’ve been making approved badges for Lions Clubs International for over 20 years. In all the right shapes, sizes and colours. Talk to us about your requirements, and you’ll see how we’ve gained the lion’s share of the business. 84-88 Leveson Street, North Melbourne, Vic, 3051 Tel: (03) 9329 9200 Fax: (03) 9326 5010 8 He’s smart, successful, no-nonsense and in Lions circles boasts a giant reputation for getting the job done. Many Lions both here and overseas see Barry Palmer as the right man for the job at the right time. The job is International President of Lions. To get there, a candidate must first be elected 2nd International Vice President. All going well, the position of 1st Vice President will follow in the second year, and then International President in year three. Already PID Barry Palmer has been endorsed by MD201 as a candidate for the position of 2nd Vice President. Will he get there? Many believe the Berowra Waters NSW businessman has the ability to go all the way. They point to the fact that after 31 years as a Lions leader, tackling some of the most difficult jobs, including working with the Banda Aceh refugees after the horrific 2004 tsunami, there is little he can’t tackle. Plus, there’s his selling ability. As the head of a successful real estate company, he knows how to sell a concept as well as a property. With Lions International at a vital stage in its history, Barry’s supporters believe he has the nous and experience to sell Lions to the people of the world, politicians, business leaders and Lions themselves. That never was a candidate better equipped. So how does Barry Palmer see his own chances? He’s not under-estimating the competition. He knows the vote, due some time after the International Convention in Sydney next June (he is the convention organising chairman) will be tough. But he gives the appearance of a calm yet fiercely determined person who knows what’s ahead of him. “There’s lots of support from here and elsewhere. A lot of people who got to know me when I was on the board are now in senior positions and are encouraging me because they recognise this constitutional area needs a President – and Australia has never had one,” he says. “We are the only Lions constitutional area in the world that does not have a Past President in it and hasn’t had one for some time.” That lack of presidential track record, he says, makes it awkward for Australian Lions holding senior positions in the organisation. “It becomes difficult, for instance, when you’re on an international committee representing this constitutional area and you’re the only one on that committee who is not a Past President. “Plus there is no-one at the top to galvanise past directors and past chairmen when important decisions are being made.” Fully prepared While Barry admits the wait for a decision is nerve-wracking, he is confident that he’s fully prepared should he make 2nd Vice President. Already he has sold off half of his thriving real estate business to free up his time, and he has put in place a framework that will allow the business to operate in his absence. “Fortunately I’ve got mostly senior staff who are very good and who’ve been with me a long time and know what to do. They say ‘just tell us when you’re here and Lion BID FOR TOP JOB when you’re not here and we’ll look after it’. We’ve put on a sales manager in preparation, in case we get the nod to go. He’s already been trained to run the sales team.” So what of Barry Palmer leader? What are his qualities? To most, he comes across as an extremely determined, conscientious person with an ability to focus strongly on what’s needed to get a job done. Is this a fair appraisal? “Some people might call it stubborn,” Barry replies with a chuckle. “I call it focused. Yeah, I become single-minded sometimes. Like we were when we were bidding for the International Convention in Sydney. I had finished my two years on the board and then was approached to head up the team to bid for the convention. We’d had several attempts that hadn’t been successful and they felt they needed a sales person there, and they thought my current contacts with the board would be fairly useful. Certainly for 12 months we became focused on winning that bid – and we did. You try to leave no stone unturned.” Need for change If Barry gets the nod, he has a full portfolio of projects he is keen to push. Apathy within Lions itself is a major challenge he is keen to tackle. “We seem to dig ourselves into holes in the clubs and it’s like a cancer; once it gets in there it’s hard to get out,” he says. “We’ve got to make Lions believe that what they’re doing is good and right. I think that if they have that sense of belief then they will be more pro-active within the organisation. And more importantly within their communities. “Direction comes from the top but change comes from the bottom, and we’ve got to get the members thinking more about the future of the association and where they would like it to be, and how we’re going to get there. We need committees at all levels that are looking at the future and how we’re going to do it, while accommodating the various needs of the people out there in the community. “When I joined Lions things were different to what they are today. But apart from some of the newly-chartered clubs, I don’t think a lot has changed, especially in some of the older clubs. And I can understand that. No-one likes change. But we have got to realise that change is important. Our organisation will die if we stand still.” December 2009 - January 2010 Barry Palmer and his wife Anne (left) with 1st Vice President Sid Scruggs and his wife Judy during the American couple’s recent visit to Sydney. Tsunami anguish While Barry Palmer boasts a long history of getting the Lions job done, there have been some emotionally tough moments for him. Typical was his involvement in the Lions relief efforts after the 2004 tsunami. He admits to still being haunted by memories of the blank looks of the children of Banda Aceh, Indonesia. “They were just staring into space. There was nothing there. They’d lost their families and there was not a thing they could do. One lady said she had 36 in her extended family and there were now just five. Whole generations had been wiped out.” He recalls speaking to a woman who had been picked up off a bridge by the tidal wave and carried five kilometres inland. “She doesn’t know how she survived. She said it was like being in a concrete mixer, all timber and rocks and sand and mud.” And of seeing a 7000-tonne floating generator that had It’s time! Lions Australia-wide and many international Lions are backing Barry Palmer’s bid to become 2nd Vice President and eventually International President ... because he’s the perfect man for the job and it’s frankly time for someone from this part of the world to lead this great organisation. Australia has never had an International President and indeed there has not been an International President in our constitutional area for a long time. been picked up from the harbour and deposited in a village. “It was on top of the road and because they had no way of moving it they redirected the road around it and it was pumping power out to the remainder of the village.” While the post-tsunami sights were heartbreaking the reward came when Barry returned and saw the joy in the faces of the survivers who were living in new houses provided by Lions. “As a way of saying ‘thank you’, they dressed us in the uniform of an Aceh prince. That was very special.” Sense of belonging Barry will use those sort of memories as inspiration if successful in his next Lions challenge. But he is adamant that no matter what lies ahead he will not lose sight of his background. Devoted to his family, especially his eight grandchildren, he thrives on the sense of belonging he derives from living and working in Berowra where he and Anne have lived for 15 years after growing up in the area. “I have too many connections here, too many people I know,” he says. “That’s important. Just last night I listed a property and although the people had bought it off another agent they wanted me to sell it because they knew me and they knew my mother (she’s 93 and lives in Berowra too).” And he’ll always be a Lion, eager to accept a new challenge no matter at what level. “I need to have challenges,” he says. “I need to have something to look forward to doing.” If the next challenge takes him from Berowra to Lions headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois then that’ll be just perfect. “I have a strong belief that Australians need an International President of Lions,” says Barry Palmer. – Tony Fawcett 9 From Council Chairperson Phil Well 2009 is nearly over and Darlene and I extend our best wishes to you, your families and friends for a safe, happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. What a busy year it has been. Over recent weeks Darlene and I have had the opportunity to attend five District Conventions. The Conventions gave us an opportunity to catch up with friends and make a whole lot more. It is amazing what Lions are doing out there in our communities. Darlene and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Districts we visited for their warm and friendly welcome and say keep up the fantastic work. The year is certainly moving very fast with preparations well underway for the next Council Meeting in January and the training for the DGEs. I had the pleasure of introducing Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia at the official opening of the $190,000 Lions Rehabilitation Activity Centre at Gosford East Public School. Funded by Lions Foundations, seven Gosford-based Lions and Lioness Clubs, community organisations and Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, the Rehabilitation Activity Centre features a series of elevated platforms and interactive activities to provide physical and mental stimulation for 40 children who attend the Support Unit at the Gosford East Public School. All those involved are to be commended for their commitment and effort! We have had a great start to the year with the MD achieving a ‘plus 181’ members rating in the first four months. I encourage everyone to continue the effort for the remainder of the Lions year. As part of the retention approach please take time now to again check on your fellow Lions to make sure they are travelling OK. Don’t forget we are part of the community too. Work has commenced on looking at ways of getting young people who live in remote or small country towns involved in Leos. The discussions to date centre around allowing a young person to join a community Leos club and to be outsourced to their local Lions Club to support their own communities. If this can be achieved the Lions Club would be encouraged to provide the means for the Leo to attend activities with their Leos Club from time to time. Council will be asked to look at ways of sponsoring the young and aged low income earners to allow them to join Lions, or older members to stay a part of the Lions family. Discussions will commence at the January Council Meeting and the progress will be outlined via the website. This work will be done with consideration given to the recommendations of the Productivity Commission regarding the community sector not-for-profits and the Henry Tax Review. The Government will be looking at both pieces of work with a view to trying to make volunteerism in this country less of a financial burden on individuals. It should be noted Lions Australia provided a submission to the Productivity Commission. As this unfolds it will also be placed on our website for the information of members. Many of you will be starting to think about your travel arrangements to the Lions Australia National Convention in Mildura in 2010. Although Mildura is an important regional centre with many flights arriving and departing each day, there are advantages to Lions in supporting charter travel. In particular, charter flights may offer a more direct flight path, shorter travel times and lower cost than by booking standard domestic flights. Lions has entered an arrangement with FCM Travel Solutions, to charter flights to and from Mildura, and popular Australian destinations, if we have the numbers. Wouldn’t it be great to travel together with other Lions on our own chartered flights to Mildura! You would also be supporting the development of a new and productive relationship with Qantas that has the potential to benefit Lions into the future. Please Note: If you think a charter flight might interest you download the form from the MD website and return it to Patrea Johnston at the email address in the letter by the end of December 2009. This is only an expression of interest – not a commitment. The Mildura Convention Committee continues to work hard to ensure your attendance is informative and enjoyable. I encourage you to register early to assist your committee in their preparations. Dates for the Convention are 30 April – 3 May 2010! Have you registered for Sydney Convention yet? Register before 31 December and only pay US$100.00. The longer you leave it the higher the cost. Don’t miss out on volunteering for the Convention. Volunteers are required in a number of areas and nominations will be accepted until 15 February 2010 (for more information go to tinyurl.com/lions2010conventionvolunteers). Once again, stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Regards Phil Lawler follow the link to the International Convention site. Our Lions in Sunraysia are also very advanced in their planning to deliver a unique Convention on “the Edge of the Outback”. I think you can expect a friendly and congenial atmosphere, a busy and professional program, and lots of opportunities to experience the local food and wine culture. Lions can help the organising committee by registering early! There are a number of great initiatives and products that we are rolling out, to help clubs promote our Association and grow membership. Many clubs are already taking advantage of the new “join the club” posters and “Lions Introduction packs” that are available on the online shop. In the next few weeks you will see our new “intro cards” to replace the BBQ cards. The intro cards build on our “Join the Club” campaign, highlighting the many benefits and contributions of Lions. The cards tell five different stories about contributing to the community, building leadership, programs for young people and making a difference to your community. Clubs can display the cards at functions and fundraisers and include your local contact details. Are you satisfied with your promotion strategies? I have just released the new Lions Public Relations kit that focuses on giving clubs simple strategies to promote their activities. The kit will be accompanied by an online resource that explains in plain English how to connect with traditional media (newspapers, TV, radio) and “new media” (Facebook, blogs and that strange world of online publishing). The kit has been produced by a leading public relations company specifically for Australian Lions and is certainly worth having in your club toolkit. It is available on the online shop. Of course, the simplest way to get your message out is to write an article for the Lion – no need to contact a reporter, or producer, or write a media release. This is our magazine and we are always Meet Meet our our new new international international representative representative From Executive Officer Rob Merry Christmas to the Lions of Australia. We often reflect at this time of year about “getting to the home stretch”, almost as if the end of the year signals an end to activity; implying that everything starts again on the first of January! Nothing could be further from the truth in our Association since next year’s success is so dependent on the hard work going on right now! Have you thought about the Sydney International Convention that will happen in June 2010? For many Lions, this will be a great opportunity to participate in the key international event of our organisation. The Host Committee led by PID Barry Palmer is very much ‘on-track’ to deliver an extraordinary event. If you can take the time to attend you will find that the International Convention is very different to your District and National Conventions, and there is no better way to build those connections to the Lions of the world. To find out more, go to our Lions Australia website and 10 Lion From International Director Ken Hello everyone, Since the last report we have attended the USA/Canada Forum, the International Board meeting, MD Council meetings, a number of District Conventions, the final site inspection for the Sydney Convention, various Club Anniversary celebrations, and charter nights for new clubs. It has been a very busy and productive period. There have been a number of developments since the last article, and decisions made at the recent International Board Meeting, and the following may be of interest: 1. Global Membership Team This initiative is continuing to achieve net membership growth in the 2009/2010 Lions year, with a net increase of over 8500 to the end of October, following on two years of significant growth. Constitutional Areas 5 (Orient and South East Asia), 6 (India, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East) and 7 (Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia) showed increases, with Areas 1, 2, 3 and 4 declining. Multiple Districts MD201 (+181) and MD307 (+346) had increases for the four months totalling 527, with MD202 showing a small decline of 27 members, making a total increase of 500 for our Constitutional Area. MD307 has already formed 10 clubs, with two in MD201, and none so far in MD202. You can see there is huge potential for significant membership gains if we can achieve the number of new clubs for which Districts have committed. The results during the first year of this initiative looking for stories about the achievements of your club – and a great photo. One of the benefits of publishing the successes of your club is to share that story with your fellow Lions – who might be looking to help their community in a similar way. I certainly wish you all a Merry Christmas as you enjoy time with your family. My thanks to the many Lions who have worked hard and faithfully to help their communities and grow our Association. My thanks too to the Council and the staff of the National Office for their continuing contribution. Regards Rob Oerlemans December 2009 - January 2010 have been very encouraging and it will be continuing into the next two years. There have been some adjustments to the structure to fine tune the ongoing administration and the full GMT team from our area recently had a meeting in Sydney with President Eberhard during his visit to inspect sites and arrangements for the International Convention. 2. Lions Clubs International Foundation There were 46 Standard, International Assistance and Core 4 Grants totalling US$2,180,468 approved during the Board Meeting. Two grants of $75,000 each and one of $50,000 were approved for our Multiple District. A Lions Quest Grant of $100,000 was also approved for Australia 3. Constitution & By-Laws matters The term “Spouse” was replaced in the Board Policy by “one adult companion”. This was to recognise partners, common law marriages and other civil partners in accordance with today’s customs. It also applies in the case of a District Governor or International Director whose spouse may have passed away or is too sick to travel, and because of health issues it may be necessary for some other family member to travel with the District Governor. The companion will have the option of designating his or choice of terminology on the name badge including spouse, husband, wife, partner, partner in service or other appropriate form of address. 4 Finance & Headquarters A great deal of focus since September 2008 has been on management of our Investments to minimise the impact of the Global Financial Crisis. Suffice to say that we are pleased with our present position which is much improved on the same time last year. There is also a Notice of Motion being drafted for Sydney to transfer the provisions about Dues increases from the Constitution to the By-Laws and I will give you a fuller report on this after the April 2010 Board meeting when the final Notice will be tabled. In the meantime can I please ask that you keep an open mind on this Notice until we are able to give you all the facts about this proposal so you can make an informed decision at the Sydney Convention. 5. District & Club Services Committee District 307A in Indonesia applied to have their District split into District 307A-1 and 307A-2 because of the growth they are experiencing. The Board approved this redistricting proposal. 6. Leadership The 2010 District Governors-Elect Seminar will take place in Sydney from June 26th to 28th. The 2010/2011 Senior Lions Leadership Institute will be held in Wellington in September 2010. The Faculty Development Institute will be held in Bali in January 2011. 7. Membership Development Committee President Eberhard Wirfs has appointed a special committee to consider whether the MERL concept needs updating or changing and the results will be reported to the April Board meeting for consideration. There is much more emphasis being placed on retention of members in existing clubs and a pilot program is being tested which should help to achieve this aim. We will hear more of this as the results unfold. Meanwhile we should all renew our efforts to make our clubs so attractive that our members do not want to leave. 8. Public Relations There will be an advertising campaign to coincide with the Lions In Sight program in January 2010 with an additional US$150,000 being allocated for advertising outside the USA. This is a public awareness campaign to ensure that Lions are “in sight” of the public. You should have received full details of this recently including the availability of a special Presidential Certificate for those District Governors with more than 50% club participation. The PR Division at LCI Headquarters is co-ordinating this initiative. 9. Area Forum Planning is now underway for the Area Forum and I should be able to announce shortly the name of the host club and some of the Committee appointments. General Our International President Eberhard J Wirfs’ theme is “Move to Grow” and he has put together a great program for this year. I’m sure you will find aspects of his program that will grab your imagination and compel you to implement them. I commend “Move to Grow” to you. You may be interested to know that I have recently received another appointment from International President Eberhard and that is to the Special Centennial Planning Committee for 2009/2010. Two current Directors were appointed, myself and Director Bojan Sober from Croatia. Bojan and I are looking forward to hopefully making a meaningful contribution during the next 12 months. May I congratulate MD201 on your extremely positive start to the year with regards to membership. Fifteen out of the 19 Districts had increases for the period to the end of October. We have to go back to 2002/2003 to see figures like this for the first four months, and that year ended with a plus of over 700 members. The reorganisation of the Multiple District MERL team and the steamlining of the structure will be of continuing benefit. The hard work of District teams and club members is vital in these efforts. These results and the “new” teams will form a good platform for a full year net growth result and with a number of new clubs to be formed augurs well for the future. Maureen and I hope that you and all your families and friends enjoy a very Merry Christmas and have a healthy and happy New Year. We still have a busy six months ahead in the countdown to Mildura and Sydney and we intend to enjoy every moment of the time left in our term as an International Director. Kind Regards, Ken Bird 11 Promote your club online! Set up your club’s own website – FOR FREE! Have you been wondering about how to get a website for your club but are confused by the technology, or concerned about the cost? I am very pleased to announce the roll out of free club websites for Australian Lions Clubs. So what are the benefits? · The price is right! Club websites are free to all Australian Lions Clubs. · Simple to use! The websites are easily updated using simple tools like you find on modern social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace. Just type in your content, click on the submit button and you have updated your website. · Password protected area – A place to keep your private club documents and communication. · Sponsors pages, event calendars, news pages – a great way for your club to make an impact in the local community. YOUR CLUB CAN HAVE A WEBSITE LIKE THIS TOO. One of the struggles about managing a club website is to keep it up to date. The new websites make this easy for your club – and you will also notice that it is automatically updated with key national news items and features. Participation in the project is entirely optional but we hope that many clubs will play a part. Although there are elements of your website that you can change to suit your needs, the look and the style will be set at a National level to show the community that we are all part of the Lions Australia team! More features will be rolled out over the coming six months, and stay tuned for the new National and District websites. The project is the brainchild of one of our newest members, Lion Mason Fok, and is supported by our in-house Web Team of Lions Malcolm Qualtrough, Rob Unsworth and Don van Weezup so it’s designed by Lions for Lions. Rob Oerlemans Executive Officer Lions Australia 12 New centre brings The future now looks brighter for a group of NSW students with disabilities following the opening earlier this year of a rehabilitation activity centre in Gosford East, NSW. The $190,000 Rehabilitation Activity Centre, heavily funded by Lions, was opened by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia. The centre is at the Gosford East Public School. Funding came from Lions Foundations, seven Gosfordbased Lions and Lioness clubs, community organisations and Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation. The centre features a series of elevated platforms and interactive activities to provide physical and mental stimulation for 40 children who attend the Support Unit at the school. Project Co-ordinator Jeff Kukura said the concept of an ‘equal access’ activity centre was important as it encouraged the general student population to mix with their peers from the Support Unit and to appreciate the challenges faced by people with disabilities. “Lions are excited that the funding and construction of the activity centre has been completed and opened for students to use in less than 12 months from the conception of the project,” he said. The project originated when the East Gosford Lioness Club pledged $4000 from its annual Bridal Expo. After discussions with the Support Unit staff, the dream project of the equal access activity centre was initiated. “Obviously there is a large gap between $4000 and $190,000 so we set out to form a community alliance with organisations such as Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, and undertook a large fundraising drive,” said Jeff Kukura. Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chairman Michael Slater said the Foundation was proud to support such a worthy project being driven by a respected and hard-working organisation such as Lions. “The project committee is to be congratulated for their excellent fundraising skills and ability to bring the project from concept to reality so quickly.” Contributions included: Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) matching of local funding up to $80,000, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Lion hope for young of the activity ‘ Constructioncentre has been completed and opened in less than 12 months ’ grant of $52,000 via Weeroona Association, Australian Lions Foundation (ALF) $15,000, plus various amounts from local fundraising and community organisations including Central Coast Kids in Need, local Freemasons and NSW Cancer Council. The Governor General meets Lions and others at the opening of the new Gosford East centre. Exchange rate right for LCIF donation The new face of your worldwide Lions Foundation is seen in the successful application for a LCIF Standard Grant to assist the Lions and Lioness Clubs of District 201-N3 Zone 1 to build an activity centre for disabled children at East Gosford Primary School. This grant was for A$80,000. The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) achievement of surpassing the Campaign SightFirst ll stretch target of US$200 million and being judged by the Financial Times UK as the world’s No 1 NGO (Non Government Organisation) made Lions realise there was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the Foundation and take it to a new level. To date, Australian Lions have received more than A$8 million in grants. LCIF wishes to approve many more grants to help Lions Clubs and Districts take on large humanitarian projects. These LCIF grants will help local Lions do more and help lift the profile of Lions in their community. The current exchange rate between the Australian and US dollars makes it a fabulous time to make a donation to LCIF. You don’t have to nominate the Melvin Jones Fellow immediately to get the advantage of the exchange rate. Every dollar donated to LCIF is used in a grant to change people’s lives. The running costs of the Foundation are paid out from the interest earned from its investments. Honour a Lion or Lioness’ service to their club and community with a Melvin Jones Fellowship or Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship. Encourage club leaders with a gift of a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Please organise an annual fundraising event for your Lions Clubs International Foundation. Your contribution will help make possible programs ranging from emergency and long-term disaster relief to training programs for the disabled and youth activities. PDG Nigel Jeny LCIF MD201 Co-ordinator December 2009 - January 2010 13 Looking for a Publisher? 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What are our submission requirements? • The manuscript must be your own personal and original work. • Submission of your manuscript preferably by email, or printed on one side in hard copy, with a 12-point font and double-line spacing, with a brief synopsis and word length. • A brief covering letter with details about yourself relevant to your work. • Enclosure of an SSAE (Stamped Self Addressed Envelope) for us to return your manuscript and assessment. • Enclosure of payment for the editor’s report. Assessment fees may be viewed at http://publisher-guidelines.com/fees Contact SHP at: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9560 9920 or visit our website for submission details at: http://publisher-guidelines.com and http://sidharta.com.au SID HARTA PUBLISHERS Pty Ltd: Suite 99, No 66 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, Victoria 3150. Australia 2050 An examination of Australia’s condition, outlook and options for the first half of the 21st Century. Launched at Federal Parliament. Gems of a Generation The baby boomer era is illuminated through fifteen heartwarming and candid stories of unique women. Their lives of high flying fame, glittering careers, fortunes made and lost, love, marriage, infidelity and divorce are told candidly. Launched at Victoria’s State Parliament. Goulburn’s Deliverance Michael Fitzpatrick, is an intelligent lad with a promising future at the Sydney General Post Office. Armed with a bookmaker’s licence he’s on the path to riches. O’Malley MHR King O’Malley strove amid central themes in Australian history – the vote for women, Federation, pensions, the fight over conscription, the bold bid to push a railway across the wastes to West Australia and he led the Labor Party in founding a ‘people’s bank’, the Commonwealth Bank. Inside the Ropes Humour outweighs dignity in this autobiography by a leading Australian surgeon, foundation Professor of Surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, and past President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. It covers eighty years from childhood in different country towns through the I Do Recall development of a surgical career. The controversial Western He lived through a huge leap Australian Governments of the of surgical history after World 1980s are again in the spotlight War II; most of the operations with the former Premier, Brian performed today being Crescent Moon Rising – The Burke, accused of seeking to pioneered at that time. Bali Bombings influence the Carpenter State At a time when Australians Government. Launched at W.A.’s are wavering in support of a State Parliament. proposed U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, more than six hundred U.S. Marines rotating on R & R in Bali suddenly disappear; then, Kuta erupts in a fireball and Australia Fragments from a Forgettory falls into line with America’s A spiritual journey of a kind demand to become part of recorded via a cascade of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’. Before I Forget personal thoughts, wry insights Based on indisputable fact, a Allan Stanton’s dreams of a and slyly humorous musings, step by step account of the Bali sporting career were cut short offered always in a kindly, bombers, the rise of extremist in June 1967 when he was invitational tone. Islamic militancy across Asia called up for National Service in “A highly personal, insightful and what the future might hold the Australian Army and sent to reflection on a life of public service.” when terror is unleashed. Vietnam. An entertaining and — Nick Greiner, former honest memoir. NSW Premier Devil of a good idea Tassie Lions pitch in to help save a state icon from extinction Tasmanian Lions have been involved in vital work to help save the Tasmanian devil from possible extinction. Earlier this year Lions and partners from the Kingborough and Spring Bay clubs spent the weekend building a research hut at Bicheno to house computers and monitoring equipment. The hut is close to two large free-range isolation enclosures that house Tasmanian devils and will be used by Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment staff as they observe breeding outcomes of the Tasmanian devils. The work by the Tasmanian Devil Island Lions District project follows the raising of funds of $3000 by 11-year-old Tasmanian schoolboy Nicholas Bonnitcha for materials to built the hut. Nicholas, who calls himself “Nature Nic”, has started a campaign to publicise the plight of many Tasmanian devils that are suffering from a fatal facial tumour disease The Lions enjoyed accommodation and breakfast courtesy of Jan Cameron of Silver Sands Hotel Motel and report there was a huge sense of comradeship and fun during the project. It’s envisaged that more isolation enclosures where devils have minimal human contact will be needed around Tasmania to stop the spread of the tumour disease. It’s hoped that by diversifying the gene pool the devils will be able to survive in the wild. Project organisers are seeking participation from several clubs as the devils’ extinction is getting increasingly close. It’s thought about 70 percent of the population has already been lost. Other projected isolation colonies are in the process of being assessed by the Government along with the Devil Island Project Group. December 2009 - January 2010 Photo: Wayne McLean Many kilometres of double fencing material have been subsidised and some donated with the help of firms such as Gunns and Blue Scope Steel and the state government. Lions are asked to provide free labour via working bees to construct enclosure fences. The Lions Club of Kingborough is co-ordinating the project and it’s envisaged other clubs will become involved in local construction work in their areas once a go-ahead is given. The Tasmanian Devil Island Project is the only Tasmanian Government-recognised project receiving government financial assistance and with further public support it’s hoped the extinction of this wildlife icon will be prevented. For further information, contact David Hopkins, District Project and Programme Co-ordinator – (03) 6267 4004, 0418 521 530 Pictured below: Tassie Lions at work building the new research hut at Bicheno. hoped ‘ It’sthat by diversifying the gene pool the devils will be able to survive in the wild ’ 15 Mildura Convention workshops and forums YOUR CHANCE TO BE INVOLVED One of the many reasons Lions attend our Multiple District Conventions is to be educated on Lions and the various programs undertaken. It is important to be able to swap ideas with fellow Lions and to come away from the Convention with a better understanding of our programs and to acquire some ideas as to how they can be implemented within clubs. One way of doing this is to attend the Workshops and Forums that have been arranged especially for those Lions wishing to learn more about our Lion programs. Three workshops – (1) Membership and Recruitment, (2) LCI Update and (3) Running a District Convention – will be held at lunchtime on Saturday the 1st of May. A fourth workshop, which will be held during the lunch break on Sunday 2nd May, is titled MD update and Questions and Answers. The three forums – (1) MD Projects Soapbox forum, (2) Youth and Community Projects and (3) L.C.I.F – will be held on Sunday afternoon the 2nd of May from 3.30 to 5.00. The Lioness Seminar is scheduled to be held in the Drama Theatre on Sunday 2nd May – 10.00am until 12.30pm Day Time Event Saturday 1st May 12.50 to 1.50 Workshop Membership and Recruitment Facilitator: PDG Bob Radford Some tried and proven ways of membership recruitment and retention will be discussed Saturday 1st May 12.50 to 1.50 Workshop LCI Update Facilitator: I.D. Ken Bird Up-to-date details on what is happening with LCI will be provided by our International Director Saturday 1st May 12.50-1.50 Workshop Running a District Convention Facilitator: PDG Bob Korotcoff Thought about running a District Convention? It may not be as hard as you think. PDG Bob will provide you with some helpful ideas Sunday 12.45-1.50 2nd May Workshop MD Update and Questions and Answers Facilitator: C.C. Phil Lawler C.C. Phil will provide an update about the key priorities and initiatives being undertaken by the Multiple District. You will also have the opportunity to raise questions about these initiatives Sunday 2nd May 3.30-5.00 Forum MD Projects Soapbox Facilitator: P.C.C. David McKenzie Various projects will be given the opportunity to promote their portfolios and be available to answer questions Sunday 2nd May 3.30-5.00 Forum Youth and Community Projects Facilitator: PDG Ron Skeen OAM Need to know more about our Youth projects? Then come along and be involved. Arrangements to have some youth speakers available are currently being investigated Sunday 2nd May 3.30-5.00 Forum LCIF: Facilitator: PDG Nigel Jeny LCIF have been very busy over the last 12 months – come along and find out more. There will also be presentations from Australian Lions Quest, Lions Recycle for Sight Australia and Australian Sight First Grants Committee. There will be plenty of time for your questions on the topics covered Sunday 2nd May 10.00-12.30 Seminar Lioness Facilitator: Lioness Lenore Howard Find out the latest information on developments within the Lioness movement Come along and be involved Norm Alcock MD Leadership Sub Committee Chairman 16 Lion YOUTH OF THE YEAR Paperwork, ah paperwork! We all hate paperwork, but it is something we need to make sure the wheels of life turn smoothly. Youth of the Year is no different. There are a number of things we need to keep in the front of our minds: 1. The Winners Advice form MUST be filled in at all levels and passed on to the chairman of the next level along with the Winners Entry Form. Zone and Region Chairmen must pass on ALL Club and previous level forms. Ultimately the District Chairman must have ALL Club, Zone and Region forms. 2. The Entry Form and Winners Advisory Form now have the year of the Quest printed on them. If you don’t have forms with “2009/10” printed on the front, please contact your YOTY District Chairman. He or she has been issued with the new forms – Entry forms can be downloaded from the YOTY website. 3. The original Entry Form must be passed on through all levels. A photocopy of the originally completed form is not acceptable. 4. We have a new guide to help judges with the public speaking section. It breaks both impromptu and prepared speeches into sections that should be considered. Once again your District Chairman was issued with copies of this form. You will need to photocopy enough forms for your own use. Past entrants – our best advertisement There are some commonly asked questions of our Youth of the Year Chairmen:“How can we get the word about YOTY to our young people, schools and Lions Clubs?” “People think of us Lions as just talking heads”. “How do we get the message across?” To answer a question with a question, ask yourself “What is the best resource we have in Youth of the Year?” The answer is clear and simple – it is the young people who have participated in the Quest and have gained from the fantastic experience it has given them. When it comes to promoting the Quest to schools, young people and Lions Clubs, the very best advertisement are former participants. They have been brave enough to have a go – and as a result, they are the best prepared to spread the message. So how do we find these people? Over the last few years, the MD Committee has been working towards establishing a Youth of the Year Alumni. The Alumni consists of former participants who have indicated they are willing to be called on to help promote the Quest and maybe to be judges for us. Each year we ask the young people if they are prepared to be added to the Youth of the Year alumni. We are not restricting membership to any level, so those who have participated at earlier levels are most welcome to join. We also believe that the former participants feel a bond, even across the years, much the same as members of any club or organisation do, so they have much to offer each other. As well as that, it is good for Lions to keep a contact with these magnificent young people – they are excellent membership prospects, maybe a little further down the track. So far we have over 60 people who are prepared to come and help. There is a list on the Youth of the Year website with the names of those who have chosen to join so far – and city or town they live in. If your club is looking for a former participant, all you have to do is email the Youth of the Year Alumni at [email protected] giving your details and where you live. If you have a particular person in mind, give us their name. If you don’t have a name, we will research our files and see if there is someone nearby who is prepared to help out. It is as simple as that! Please use this service offered by the Youth of the Year committee to help improve and promote your club, Zone, Region or District Final. If you want to know more about Youth of the Year, please visit out website at http://www.lionsclubs.org.au/yoty Youth of the Year – “You just can’t lose” Adrian Miles Chairman Youth of the Year Peter Hitchener with Croydon Lion Sylvia Nelsson (left), the MC for the day, and project organiser Hendy O’Toole. A “Hitch” in time Long-time Melbourne TV news icon Peter “Hitch” Hitchener isn’t one to stand idly by. When Victoria’s Croydon club held its annual Pink Ribbon Lunch earlier this year he not only entertained the 266 women dressed in their pink outfits but he waited on tables, helped in the kitchen and assisted in fundraising activities. Peter, who has been in the news business for 36 years, told stories about his news reading and also of some of the wonderful people he has worked with. He was joined by Lynette Mitchell, a laughter leader whose motto is “laughter is the glue that holds us together”. The event raised $7694. Many of the ladies left with beautiful spot and raffle prizes donated by local business establishments, Lions club members, families and friends. One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. Breast Cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in Australian women with 13,600 new cases expected to be diagnosed this year. But thanks to excellent research, deaths from the disease have decreased by 22% in the past decade, with more women knowing the benefits of early detection and an increase in treatment options. By supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation you have the chance to make a real difference to many people’s lives – men, women and children! Donations can be sent to the Lions Club of Croydon, Box 59 Croydon 3136 – Hendy O’Toole Lions Club of Croydon Inc Know a special muso? If you know a special person involved with country music then the Peel Valley Lions Club Inc, Tamworth would like to hear. It wants to consider them for an award, the 17th annual Peel Valley Lions Club Australian Country Music Service Award, to be presented at the 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival. The award honours a country music personality – entertainer or someone behind the scenes – who has used that involvement to give community service in a voluntary capacity. You don’t need to be a Lion to be nominated, however submissions should be made through your local Lions club with nominations in writing by December 18 to The Secretary, Peel Valley Lions Club, PO Box 957 Tamworth NSW 2340. Enquiries: Paul Briscoe (02) 6762 8786, [email protected] Lion 18 Why I’m a LION! I just received one of the junk emails that say a lot of garbage and then ask you to send it on to other friends on email or you will not have luck or win a prize or be healthy. I didn’t send it on as I see them as time-wasting exercises – however it has inspired me to send an email that I do not want you to send on to anyone unless you wish. You will not get any bad or good luck no matter what you do. This weekend, as a Lion and partner of the DGE 201Q3, I went to a Youth Insearch Camp at Duckadang. There I saw some wonderful counsellors trying to assist some very troubled young people. They were backed up by some very dedicated Lions and volunteers providing the food and accommodation for these beautiful kids. These kids have problems that we would not be able to survive, but they do – they are incredible as are their helpers. I was so proud to be a Lion, and to stand behind our motto of ‘We Serve’. I stopped thinking of the cost of being a Lion; I stopped thinking about how another Lion had driven me up the wall at convention; I stopped thinking about the sometimes unappreciated work I do for Lions; I stopped thinking about the problems in my club. I remembered the Lions Code of Ethics and Lions Club International Purposes; the reason I was there and the reason we were helping those kids. Sometimes I forget how important Lions Clubs International is and how I can assist, in my own small way, to make a difference in the lives of others. I think we all forget this sometimes and it takes an experience like this weekend to bring it back. I am a Lion so that I can serve others – no other reason. I think we all need to get back to that basic reason every so often. Send this to other Lions if you want to. There is no luck, prize or benefit involved. Just be aware that we do make a difference in this world by believing ‘We Serve’. Lion Garry Bates, Webmaster, Bulletin Editor, Public Relations Lions Club of Toowoomba-Wilsonton AN IDEA TO DINE OUT ON How this club just grew BIGGER! Four years ago Maleny Blackall Range Lions were struggling. Membership had been declining for several years, there were only 14 members and just seven came to meetings. Today the club is vibrant with highly motivated members. Membership is now 38 and growing. So what happened? There are many things that combine to turn a club around. If we had to identify one project that helped the most, it would be the annual Welcome to Maleny and Hinterland Dinner begun four years ago. The dinner was the suggestion of Lions lady Sue Sinclair whose husband had just transferred into the club. Guess who got the job of running it? Lion Colin Sinclair of course! With a small but enthusiastic committee we set about encouraging newcomers to the area to come to the dinner. We thought if 50 turned up we could cover costs and were excited when this target was reached. By the night of the event we had a total attendance of more than 170! The aims of the dinner were: - A community service (newcomers were encouraged to meet local businesses and local identities so as to feel closer to their community - Raise the profile of Maleny Blackall Range Lions - Attract new members We figured if it were a success there could be a bonus for our community service funds. Did we succeed? Without a doubt. Look at these results: Community Service - Numbers coming have grown (we have nearly outgrown our local facilities). This year attendance was 230 (60% newcomers, 20% Lions and others being sponsors and local service providers such as police, fire, ambulance). Profile - Our club is now well recognised in the area and has become the largest of the five local service clubs. Membership - In four years we have had 12 new members as a direct result of the dinners. Not only did membership grow dramatically, members involvement in activities has grown. Bonus - Local businesses were quick to appreciate the benefit of making themselves known to those who had recently moved in. Those businesses became sponsors and this enabled us to reduce expenses and raise funds. In four years we have raised more than $15,000. Obviously clubs have different circumstances and opportunities – but any club, large or small, can run such an event. – David McKinnie Helping youth soar Club for all persuasions New Zealand Lions have broken new ground with the first club for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members. The club, which includes NZ Parliament Cabinet Minister Chris Carter and MP Charles Chauvel, was chartered in Wellington. Called Wellington Pride, it is one of 450 Lions clubs in New Zealand. Charter President of Wellington Pride Lions, David Huxford, said the club is specifically but not exclusively for the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) community. “The intention was to form a club that was welcoming for people in that community. “A decision was made early on to raise money for the wider community, not just the gay/lesbian community. We are part of the wider community, which is where Lions works, and we cannot expect others to help us if we are being exclusive.” Wellington Pride Lions is the fifth GLBT club in the world and the first in Australasia. The others are in the United States. Mazza’s Corporate Ar t Custom made artworks by French Artist 0401 475 890 Fax: 1300 223 839 Lions is committed to encouraging young people to volunteer for community service and these three teenagers certainly showed spirit at a recent Lions International Youth Camp in Hawaii. Photo Mark Mizuno Why not bank on this great idea? With Australia’s banks eager to boost their community image, Lions can benefit. In Victoria, the Clarinda club has persuaded the local Westpac branch in Clayton to display a Lions banner, along with Christmas cakes. The opportunity is there for other clubs to do similar with their banners. To date 19 clubs in V5 have had banners made and one club has had three made so they can move them around from bank to bank. The Clarinda club has formed a strong relationship with its local Westpac, keen to support community Clarinda Lions have formed a bond with their local Westpac branch which is happily spreading the Lions Australia message. organisations that bank with it. Recalling a tragic day Lion Ken Crampton (President), Councillor Lion Ian Tiley (Chairman) and Mayor of Clarence Valley Council Richie Richardson pause to remember. Photo: Grafton Daily Examiner 20 The Lions Club of Maclean (N1) coordinated a service of commemoration in October to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Cowper bus crash in which 19 passengers and a semi-trailer driver lost their lives. It was held at the memorial site, maintained by the club and on a section of the old highway a couple of hundred metres south of where the crash happened. More than 80 attended, including two of the survivors, several medical personnel and members of emergency services who were at the scene at the time. Councillor Lion Ian Tiley chaired formalities and arranged for the laying of floral tributes.The mayor of the Clarence Valley Council unveiled a memorial plaque bearing the names of the deceased. A minute’s silence and a piper’s playing of Amazing Grace concluded an emotional service. Rev Donald Kirk, Dean of the Grafton Anglican Cathedral and police chaplain, Father Rex Hackett conducted the service. Lion Dancing with...likeour stars a Rolls-Royce on rocket fuel SWING TIME There were twinkle-toes aplenty when the Bowning and Districts Lions hit the dance floor ... and already a repeat event is planned for next year It was a big night when the dance stars of the Bowning and Districts Lions Club in NSW strutted their stuff. As Alix Douglas of the local Yass Tribune reported, ambulance officer Mark Gibbs took to the dance floor “like a Rolls Royce on rocket fuel”, while the newspaper’s own dancing diva Robyn Sykes “swung her hips” like a professional to the beat of the samba. It was billed as the Bowning and Districts Lions Club ‘Dancing with our Stars’ event. Local butcher Terry Patrick won the hearts of the guest judges, District Lions Governor Paul Helmling, dancing whiz Esma Drennan and Mayor Nic Carmody, with his very impressive quick step, while Galutzi’s Renee O’Loughlan took out first prize for her waltz. Danceway Studio in Mitchell donated a great deal of time and expertise to teach and partner local celebrity twinkle toes. More than $5000 was raised for aged care facilities in Yass. REGISTER TODAY Tumut babies have cause to say thanks New-born babies around Tumut, NSW, might not know it but they’ll be in debt to local Lions. Along with the Australian Lions Foundation, the club has played a big part in fundraising for a new Striker Birthing Bed at the Tumut District Hospital. The much-needed bed became a reality after Lions donated $6000 to a kitty that also included three grants totalling $17,000. The Australian Lions Foundation was responsible for an $11,000 grant, with funds also coming from Tumut Community Foundation ($5000 Visy grant) and Tumut Bowling Club ($1000 CDSE grant). The birthing bed replaces a 25-year-old bed, along with a second 30-plus-year-old bed. During an average year 100-130 babies are delivered at the hospital, attended by mothers from surrounding areas of Tumut, Gundagai, Talbingo, Adelong and Batlow. The birthing unit is the only one in the area outside Wagga Wagga. December 2009 - January 2010 A few years ago the club also purchased a special trauma bed for the Accident & Emergency Department and has arranged seven ward electric beds. The club hopes up-to-date equipment will encourage GPs with obstetric qualifications to move to and stay in Tumut. Former Tumut Lion PP Jan Farrell was a prime mover in the birthing bed project. LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, SYDNEY JUNE 2010 BEDSIDE CELEBRATION: Local Lions are joined by ALF representatives, hospital staff and other community groups in checking out the new birthing bed. For more information visit www.lions2010.com 21 Grant’s one in a million A tasty Tassie Devonport Lions dress up an annual feast with lashings of entertainment Shown with his parents Janan and Dan, Grant Rustan enjoys normal vision and being a typical boy. Lions in Liberty City, Iowa, a small city of 11,000 in America, recently screened 21 children for vision problems, normally an admirable, routine day of service. But one of those children turned out to be the one millionth child screened through LCIF’s Core 4 grant program supporting screening. Yet the real stars of the day were a mother and child from last year’s screening. Janan Rustan came to thank Lions for screening her son Grant, 4. A follow-up screening revealed that Grant was at risk for ambloypia (lazy eye), the leading cause of blindness in children. After wearing a patch over his left eye for a few months, doctors expect he will have 20/20 vision. “I cannot thank the Lions enough. We simply had no idea; he never complained of any problems. He would’ve been blind in the eye by age nine if it had gone untreated and undetected,” his mother said. Screenings are a way of life for Lions. Lions America wide held vision and health screenings and education campaigns in connection with United We Serve Health Week in August. A public call for community service from President Barak Obama and the Corporation for National Community Service, United We Serve ended in September. Although the economy is down in the U.S., volunteer efforts are up, according to the 2009 Volunteering in America report. Nearly 62 million Americans volunteered with an organisation in 2008, up one million from 2007. Last year, the average Lions club in America provided 739 volunteer service hours to the community. This represents an estimated worldwide total of 33 million volunteer service hours provided by Lions. 22 You’ve missed it in 2009 but one worth putting in your calendar is the 2010 Taste of the Harvest festival in Devonport, Tasmania. Organised by the City of Devonport Lions Club, it’s an annual food and wine festival celebrating diversity and high quality produce from the North West region of Tasmania. A highlight of the festival is live entertainment ranging from rock and roll, country, jazz and folk to stand-up comedians as local celebrity chefs cook up a storm It is staged on the banks of the Mersey River in the centre of Devonport every second Sunday of March (March 7 in 2010). The 2009 event marked the ninth consecutive Taste the Harvest as Tasmania’s key fruit and vegetable producers Lion morsel exhibited their products. There were also celebrity chefs and numerous cafes and restaurants in stalls set up on the lawn. Catering for a wide variety of tastes, offerings included potato and vegetable dishes, venison, seafood, beef and lamb, wonderful Tasmanian wine, beer and cheeses. The Harvest Celebration Dinner is the traditional Friday night start. The Taste the Harvest is organised by a dedicated committee of the City of Devonport Lion’s Club, headed by Steve Trewin, and supported by volunteers, Devonport City Council, Devonport City Promotions, TAPG, the Devonport Soroptimists International and the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry and Water. Full details: www.tastetheharvest.org.au. December 2009 - January 2010 23 AROUND THE NATION Cooma’s 50th Sausages snag success It took an estimated 10,000 sausages cooked by Golden Grove C1 Lions to pay for this $15,000 horse float for Northern Area Riding for the Disabled Australia (RDA). In February Cooma Lions celebrate their formation 50 years ago. Sponsored by the Canberra City, the Cooma club has since sponsored new clubs in Bega, Jindabyne, Adaminaby and Bombala. For details of celebrations, contact secretary, Chriss Tucker – PO Box 208, Cooma NSW 2630 or 02 64523604. Environmental photo contest Do you have the photography bug? If so then get moving because time is running out to enter the 2009-10 Lions Environmental Photo Contest to promote the beautiful world we live in. The contest takes in several categories with finalists coming from district and multiple district competitions. Lions from clubs in good standing can enter an original, unaltered, black-and-white or colour photo (without people) of the environment of their Lions club in the following categories: · Animal Life · Landscape (Urban or natural) · Plant Life · Weather Phenomenon The special theme category is: · Lions Move to Grow Green - photos of Lions in action implementing a Lions environment project. The impartial judging of photos should focus on originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the environmental theme. · LIONS CLUBS select and submit one winning photo to the district. · LIONS DISTRICTS select and submit one winning photo to the multiple district. January 15 2010 is the suggested deadline for districts to submit one 8” x 10” (20.3 x 25.4 cm) printed photo to the multiple district. · LIONS MULTIPLE DISTRICTS select and submit one winning photo to the international contest. March 1 2010 is the deadline for multiple districts to submit one 8” x 10” (20.3 x 25.4 cm) printed photograph and an official entry form (available on the Lions website) signed by the council chairperson to Lions Headquarters. If you have any queries, consult your club or district or email contest questions to: [email protected] 24 With help from Bunnings, money was raised via a twicemonthly barbecue and a grant from the Australian Lions Foundation. The handover was witnessed by Federal MP for Makim Tony Zappia and parents and friends at a display of riding skills by participants. The club will also sponsor an athlete at the Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide next April and a walker for a disabled child. All aboard: Left to right at the float handover are Lion Lyn Webb (also an RDA volunteer), Jill Shelton (president of RDA Northern District), Tasma Barrowcliff (Bunnings), Ken Snaith (Golden Grove Lions President) and Tony Zappia MP. YOUNG GUNS: Members of Queensland’s Twin Cities Leo Club have reason to smile. They’ve just raised $1500 for MS Australia QLD. A small community service organisation based in Townsville, the club consists of members aged 18 to 22 and raised the money via a wine and cheese evening called “A Night Under the Stars”. An estimated 18,000 Australians have MS, and there is currently no known cure. MS Australia is committed to seeing a world without multiple sclerosis through quality research into the neurological disease. BRIGADE GIVES THANKS: Due to yet another successful Spring Festival held on the shores of Lake Macquarie, Gwandalan Lions of NSW were able to donate 21 new ‘state of the art’ helmets to the local RFS Brigade. This year’s festival resulted in the club donating cheques for $18,846 to nine local groups. Lion Mighty Merv’s brilliant half century Lion Merv Butler has been a member of the Lions Club of Moreton Bay for 50 years and the club celebrated his 50th Anniversary with a special dinner. Invitations went to current and former members and partners and there was an overwhelming response to join Merv and his wife Daphne. Many tales were told of projects undertaken, social activities, lifelong friendships and, of course, fun and fellowship. Merv has held many positions but is best known as an extraordinary fundraiser. He has raised more money than any other club member and contributed greatly to the club’s success and standing in the community. For years he organised sportsmen’s and businessmen’s lunches and social outings, and he was chairman for many larger club projects. He was the provider for all catering projects and was able to obtain food and drinks at favourable prices which contributed to club profits. At the celebratory dinner Merv was presented with an International President’s Certificate of Appreciation by International Director Ken Bird (pictured left), on behalf of International President Eberhard J Wirfs, for his dedication and commitment to community service. He has also received a James D Richardson Honour Award and is a Life Member of the Lions Club of Moreton Bay. PROUD LION: PDG Bernie Clifford of the Lions Club of Greensborough (left) receives his 40 year Monarch Award from Zone Chairman, PDG Eric Gittins. PDG Bernie joined Lions in Narrandera in 1969 and has moved with his job to various clubs including Greensborough in Victoria where he has been President (twice) and is now Secretary. Park memorial for a giving Lion Many visitors to a North Rocks, NSW, park will be thankful to John Dean, a charter member of North Rocks Lions Club. When John died last June, the club was determined to commemorate his sterlings efforts over many years so it organised a park bench in his honour. The bench bears a suitable inscription heralding John’s 31-year contribution to the club and projects such as the Cord Blood and & Childhood Cancer Research Appeal. The bench was unveiled at a ceremony attended by family, club members and PDG Jim Ede who, with members of his Cord Blood team, presented John’s widow, Lee, and her family (pictured sitting on the bench), with a Black Opal award to commemorate John’s efforts. VOLUNTEER for Lions’ biggest party Would you like to participate in Sydney’s most spectacular street parade? If so, here is your opportunity to volunteer at the Sydney 2010 Lions International Convention to be held in Sydney in June/July. This is the largest annual convention held in the world. We expect 20,000-25,000 Lions and their families to visit during that time. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest community service organisation and is currently in over 205 countries and geographic locations. We have over 1.3 million members. We are all different in many ways, but we share a core belief – community is what we make it. All the activity will be in the Darling Harbour and City precincts. On Tuesday December 2009 - January 2010 29 June 2010 we will all participate in a wonderful street parade down Macquarie Street and finishing in the Opera House precinct. This will be Sydney’s most spectacular parade! Come and meet Matilda. She is awesome. There are many tasks to be carried out by our very special volunteers. If you would like to join with us, please – • Register online at – tinyurl.com/lions2010conventionvolunteers • Contact – Carole on 02 4925 2160 Closing date for volunteer applications is 15 February 2010. Please visit our convention website - www.lions2010.com - if you would like more information on the Convention. And remember, volunteers have more FUN! 25 Lions loses a pioneer Terry’s link to Helen Keller Australian Lions has lost one of its founding sons with the death of Terry Fairbairn. Among his outstandings achievements, Terry, a Charter Member of the Lions Club of Sydney, once had the task of looking after Helen Keller during an Australian visit. A tribute by PDG Harry Wakeham, PDG 201B 1961/62 After a distinguished war record with the 2/1st Battalion 6th Division AIF where he saw battle in the Middle East, Greece and Kokoda in New Guinea, Terry returned to civilian life working with Hasting Deering Motors in Sydney. He was seconded from his work to host and care for Helen Keller and her companion who were guests of the Australian Government, the Royal Blind Society of NSW and the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, during a tour of the eastern states of Australia. Terry attended to every detail and did it to the approval of all concerned, including Gordon Smith, a Canadian sent to Australia by Lions Clubs International to stimulate the formation of new Lions clubs that had stalled. Gordon’s efforts expanded the number of Lions clubs to 30. He was recalled and was instructed to appoint an Australian successor. Gordon approached Terry who was a Charter Member of the Lions Club of Sydney – and Terry accepted the appointment notwithstanding the fact that there was no office, no staff and very little know-how and support. Terry literally worked from a suitcase and his VW car. VALE: CHARTER MEMBER TERRY FAIRBAIRN, LIONS CLUB OF SYDNEY 1919 – 2009 With the election of Syd Packham, Australia’s first District Governor of 201 Australia, Syd and Terry worked together to develop plans and budgets to increase the number of Lions clubs to 75 in the first full year, 1956. This objective was achieved and Terry kept up the pace, increasing the number of clubs in the eastern states and expanding into South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. By 1960 Lions Australia had grown from one to five Districts (201A, B, C and D) with application to Lions Clubs International for a further three Districts (201F, G and H), all of which were approved and operating by 1963. After many requests, Lions Clubs International agreed to the establishment of an Australian Office. The budget was small and with help from our bankers, then known as The Bank of NSW (now Westpac), a small office of just over 100 square feet was opened and Pat Seal was hired as the first Office Administrative Assistant. Lions Clubs International in Chicago offered Terry a job in Chicago and Jim McLardie was appointed as Australian Secretary. Terry was Irish, a great speaker, a good friend and always at ease with everyone from the highest in the land to the most humble. He truly lived Lionism and always enthused and encouraged others. His assignment in the USA did not continue and he returned to Australia. Terry worked in fundraising jobs for organisations such as the Royal Blind Society and he eventually retired to Queensland where he passed away on 23 August 2009. Lions Australia and Lions Clubs International owe much to Terry who was a pioneer with a terrific track record of community service in general and Lions in particular. WANTED TREASURER For LCIF premier Youth Project Australian Lions Quest Youth Institute Ltd Also calling for Nominations for the following Board position Australian Lions Quest Chairman Australian Lions Quest Secretary to be appointed and announced at the AGM held at the Mildura MD Convention Vacancies also exist for State Directors Tasmania • Northern NSW All honorary For job descriptions, please email [email protected] LIONS AT LARGE: Australian Lions take a break from visiting the giant pandas at China’s Chongqing Zoo during a past tour. 26 Contact Chairman, PDG David Knowles, P O Box 435, Roma Qld 4455 Phone 0427 354 667 Lion A ramble through Lions history International President’s visit recalled A fascinating piece of Lions history turned up during preparations for the 50th Anniversary of the Austinmer Thirroul Lions Club Lion Bob Ascoli uncovered a visitor’s book with information about a Lions Clubs International President’s August 21st, 1965, visit to Austinmer. The fourth line from the top of the visitor’s book page is the entry by Lions Clubs International President Dr Walter Campbell and Mrs Campbell of Miami Beach, Florida at the Hill Street property in Austinmer that the club looks after. Entries by International Director William Parsons, District Governor Phil and Lions Lady Barbara Lusher, Cabinet Secretary L Whitefield and D Whitefield, and Australian Secretary Lion Jim McLardie appear below the International President’s entry. We weren’t too sure about the International Director’s signature below the International President’s, but research showed it was that of William Parsons. Research also uncovered the following information: • ‘We Serve – A History of Lions’ lists IP Dr Walter Campbell as the 49th President 1965/66 • IP Walter Campbell is mentioned in Jim Lion John Powell provided the following information: “The signature under question on the Visitor's Page is that of PID Bill Parsons. Bill came from our District 201D as the bio says. Bill and his wife Marg ran a very successful landscaping, nursery and sandstone business when Gosford Stone ‘was the one of choice’ for a lot of people. His home and business were in Belmont on the Pacific Highway, a lakeside suburb in Lake Macquarie. The cities of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie together with some other nearby towns form the Greater City of Newcastle. Bill suffered a business setback and retired to Port Macquarie, where, as the bio says, he became the administrator of a nursing home. He was very interested in the welfare of who he called his ‘little people’ (in those days known as dwarfs). There was quite a community of them in Port Macquarie and they were very active in the community. They had a tourist attraction that incorporated a ‘fairy dell’ (cannot remember the The visitors book from 1965 showing the entry (third from top) of Lions Clubs International President Dr Walter Campbell and Mrs Campbell of Miami Beach, Florida McLardie’s book, ‘Challenge – A Way of Life’, on pages 186-7. • International Director for this region in 196466 was William Parsons (deceased) from Australia (current MD201 Directory) • ID William Parsons is listed in Brian Stevenson’s book ‘Look forward with pride – 50 years of Lions in Australia’, Appendix 1. • 201B DG 1965-66 was Captain Philip Lusher deceased (current MD201 Directory) • Philip Lusher and the beginnings of the Australian Lion magazine are mentioned in Jim McLardie’s book, ‘Challenge – A Way of Life’, page 67. correct name). Bill was able to assist them in its establishment. Carole and I both knew him very well and he was a wonderful motivational speaker. The other signature of note is Lou Whitefield, Cabinet Secretary of 201B. He was a real character and was the MD Convention Organising Chairman in 1973, the year I was appointed. The Convention was held in Kings Cross and Lou thought he was the ‘Mayor of Kings Cross’. I believe he told the Council on several occasions to ‘get stuffed’ during his term. He also resigned several times but always came back. I also remember the Lushers very well. I trust my ramblings may help in the research area.” Thanks to all who helped unearth this interesting piece of N2 history; Lion Bob Ascoli, PCC Ian Gammage, PCC Franz Mairinger and especially Past EO Lion John Powell. – David Robson Bushfire warehouse closes The Lions bushfire relief warehouse in Ringwood, Melbourne, has closed. Unfortunately funds are diminishing rapidly. Our total gratitude goes to the many Lions throughout the world who worked as one to raise the funds that were so valuable. These funds were capably and professionally distributed by the Trustees of the 201V5 District Disaster Relief Trust. The entire project is an example of what being a Lion really means. On behalf of the team at Braeside, and latterly Maroondah Highway with the Tools for Tradies and Garden Sheds teams, I would like to say it has been an honour and privilege meeting and assisting survivors of the infamous and tragic Black Saturday fires who have shared their sorrows and hopes for the future with us. We hope in some small way we made their day a little brighter. We have met many wonderful people and made friends we will always remember. My personal thanks go to Lions Rob Tunney and Don Lucas along with their dedicated Tools For Tradies team from the Lions Club of Blackburn North, Lions Laurie Hilakari and Brian Wales with the garden sheds program organised by the Lions Club of Warrandyte, Lion Alan and Lions Lady Trish Hayward and the Lions Club of Whittlesea for the Tool Libraries, the extremely hard working team distributing general household needs under the guidance of the Lions Club of Waverley. The Lions from various clubs who assisted are far too numerous to mention but they have certainly done themselves, their clubs and our wonderful organisation extremely proud. With gratitude, David Jones, IPDG 201V5 OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS – COMMITTEE VACANCIES The Council of Governors advises applications are invited from Lions in good standing to fill the following vacancies. All Multiple District Committee positions are honorary, and every Lion, no matter how new, is encouraged to apply. Lions intending to apply should note the following: 1 Applications will only be considered if submitted on the current Nomination Form, acknowledged by the applicant’s District Governor and received at the Lions National Office by the closing date. 2 Intending applicants must obtain a Nomination Form, Position Statement and Person Profile in relation to the position from the Lions National Office. These may be obtained by writing, faxing or emailing the National Office at one of the following addresses: COMMITTEE Mail: Locked Bag 2000 Newcastle NSW 2300 Email: [email protected] Fax: (02) 4940 8034 4 The District Governor should ensure that the nomination is complete in every respect prior to acknowledging it. The preferred method of distribution of necessary forms to intending applicants is by email. All candidates for Multiple District positions shall submit - current standard Nomination Form - Curriculum Vitae - Statement covering the issues outlined in the Position Statement. This supporting Statement with CV shall not exceed three single sided A4 pages. 3 APPLICANTS EXCEEDING WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. THIS LIMIT 5 Nominations acknowledged by the District Governor must be received by the National Office by email or post no later than 5.00 pm Friday 11 December 2009. Nominations accepted will be considered at Late nominations will not be considered. the Council Meeting following the close of Nominations accepted will be considered at nominations. All applicants will be advised in the Council Meeting following the close of writing of Council’s decision soon after that nominations. All applicants will be advised in Council Meeting. writing of Council’s decision soon after that Council Meeting. ROB OERLEMANS EXECUTIVE OFFICER ROB OERLEMANS MD201 LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL INC. EXECUTIVE OFFICER September 2009 MD201 LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL INC. September 2009 POSITION TERM (to) COMMENTS Chairperson 31/01/13 Advise on all matters relating to Insurance and risk management, co-ordinate and oversee committee activities. State Rep (2) NSW WA 30/06/12 30/06/10 ADMINISTRATION Insurance MARKETING Hearing Dogs Committee Following the initial term, all positions will revert to 3 years. Duties include being able to assist Clubs in assessments and follow up in dog placements, prepare reports, represent and fully participate in decisions regarding the project. MEMBERSHIP MD Membership Development & Retention District Co-ordinator 'V' Districts 30/06/12 Attend MERL meetings, assist as directed by Membership Manager & Chairmen. Lioness Member - VIC 31/01/13 Regular contact with Lioness Clubs in the States, attending meetings as required by the Chairperson and submitting report. Leadership Committee Chairperson 30/06/13 Responsibilities include efficient training of District Governors Elect, management of leadership committee, management and implementation of programs for training and leadership development. YOUTH & COMMUNITY PROJECTS * Note: Police clearance is required for these positions Australian Lions Children's Mobility Foundation Trustee - WA 31/01/12 Acts as Trustee and is responsible for database management and provision of administrative services for the foundation. Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation Chairperson Trustees - Several 31/01/13 31/01/13 Leads the Foundation Trustees will operate the new Foundation established by Convention resolution in Melbourne 2009 Global Youth Music Competition Chairperson 31/01/13 Responsible for the coordination and promotion of the MD201 involvement in the Global Youth Music completion Leo Co-ordinator NSW 31/01/12 Responsibilities include efficient and effective management of allocated portfolios on the committee, contributing towards Leo objectives, promoting and developing Leos Youth Exchange Program Chairpersons (2) (1) 28/02/13 28/02/12 Greeters (2) 28/02/12 Duties include supervision of all aspects of the allocated programme and attending to all matters pertaining to the programme Clubs or individuals may apply for this position. Supervise Youth Exchange arrivals and departures - Brisbane, Sydney. Special Public Relations Award It’s your time to enter Your Lions Club, district or committee can compete for a prestigious annual award for the best public relations/publicity program undertaken in Australia and Papua New Guinea each year. The aim of the award is to encourage and create a greater public awareness of Lionism. The award is named in honour of one of Australia’s leading Lions, PDG Syd Packham, and is presented at the annual national convention. Entries can be submitted any time throughout the year, but will close two weeks before the national convention. Entries are often highlighted by way of features in the Lion magazine. All entries must include the following: · The object of the program. · Details of planning, organisation, sponsorship (if any) and implementation, including number of people and hours worked. · Details of media involvement - and results. · Details of any other publicity used, i.e. posters, letterbox drops, banners, displays, etc. · Good action photographs. Entries should be sent to the Executive Officer at the Lions National Office. Rob Oerlemans Executive Officer Lions Australia HAVE YOU CHANGED ADDRESS? AUSTRALIAN LIONS FOUNDATIONS OFFICIAL NOTICE If you have changed your address, could you please contact your Cabinet Secretary to ensure that your new details are updated NOTICE to ALL CLUBS in “T” AND “W” DISTRICTS Notice is given to all members of the Clubs of MD201 “T” and “W” Districts that nominations are called for a Trustee to represent the “T” District and for a Trustee to represent the “W” Districts on the Foundations. An election to decide your District(s) Trustee will be held at the Australian Lions Foundations Annual General Meeting to be held in Mildura in May 2010 during the MD201 National Convention. Nomination Forms and Information are available from: Secretary Alan Pretyman P.O.Box 2001 Lower Sandy Bay Tas 7005 The National Office of Lions Australia wishes all a happy, healthy holiday period and Christmas-New Year. Please be advised that the National Office will close at 5pm on Wednesday 23 December 2009 and reopen on Monday 4 January 2010. Completed Nomination Forms must be lodged by mail with the Secretary no later than Saturday 31st January 2010. The Club’s Nominated Representative attending the Annual General Meeting is entitled to vote for a Trustee to represent his or her District or group of Districts. Correction In the Oct-Nov 2009 edition of the Lion under Committee Appointments, Martin Peebles (Leo Committee Chairman to 31/01/13) was listed as belonging to 201N5. Martin in fact belongs to 201N2. Notices of Motion requirement I would like to remind Lions that any Notices of Motion proposing a Multiple District Project must first have been passed at a District Convention, before being considered at the Multiple District Convention. You will need to forward details of Multiple District Project motions passed at your District Convention to the Executive Officer by 31 December 2009. The Multiple District Constitution and By-laws specify that this information must include full organisation details of the proposed project and the December 2009 - January 2010 financial responsibilities, if any, of the participating clubs, and the required commitment (if any) of Multiple District funds to start up the proposed project to administer and conduct the project during its first year of operation. I would welcome approaches from any Lions wishing to consult me about proposed Multiple District Projects in advance of their District Convention. Ordinary Notices of Motion Ordinary Notices of Motion to be considered at the 2010 MD201 Convention must be submitted to the Executive Officer by the Council, a District Convention, a District Cabinet or a Lions Club not less than 60 days before the opening of the MD201 Convention, or 2 March 2010. Rob Oerlemans Executive Officer Lions Australia Locked Bag 2000 Newcastle NSW 2300 29 International Bringing fantasy alive By Erin Crouch Children love C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, and the Lions of Tennessee in the United States have brought the story alive, especially for those with vision impairment. Earlier this year, the Lions Narnia Braille Trail and Sensory Garden were dedicated as part of the Boundless Playground at Warrior Path State Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Each of the 10 stops along the Braille Trail depicts a scene from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Children with vision problems can hear the gurgling of the creek at the Beaver’s House and the deep voice and roar of Aslan, the hero Lion. They can smell and taste different herbs in the sensory garden. Signs in braille and large print also make the scenes accessible for those with vision impairments. Designed for children of all abilities, the facility provides entertainment, exercise and learning to the 250,000 children in the Tri-cities area. Children can walk through the wardrobe and feel the simulated fur coats from the story while smelling mothballs, sit at the stone table, or catch sight of the white stag near the lamppost. The pathways are paved with concrete for wheelchair access, and Aslan’s sleigh, resting tables and benches can also accommodate those in mobility devices. The trail and garden were funded in part by an LCIF grant. Lee Bryan, a vision specialist for Sullivan County Schools, described in an email how the parents of a braille student visited the trail with their daughter and her friends. “(They) said it was the first time that Sarah has been able to keep up with her peers and she was so excited.” At the dedication ceremony, Sarah said, “I really like the new Braille Trail. The Lion, 30 the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my favourite stories. I like being able to read the braille, hear the recording and touch things like Mr. Tumnus’ Cave and the Beaver’s dam. Thank you for building the Braille Trail.” Lions participated in every aspect from construction to signage. They will also hold a fix-up day several times a year to keep the sites looking fresh. The trail’s popularity is no surprise. As Lion Doug Haseltine noted at the dedication ceremony, “No one’s imagination is ever limited by sense of sight.” TOP: A Lion works on the “wardrobe” from the C.S. Lewis classic. ABOVE: Children enjoy one of the stops on the Lions Narnia Braille Trail. Lions Quest’s quarter century of success Five years ago Lions worked with school officials to implement Lions Quest at Martin Niemoller School in Reinstadt, Germany. The life skills program sparked an upswing at the school. Students in Children in Japan have fun during a Lions Quest one class used skills they learned lesson. to defuse a around the world. bullying situation with students Lions Quest is active in 50 from another school. Many countries. New trainers have students are more mature and been certified in Norway, more open to facing the Pakistan, India, Kenya, Austria inevitable challenges of being a and Belize, and others will follow teenager. “Lions Quest has in Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia taught me to talk to my teacher and Russia. about problems I face. And that “Lions have long realised that it’s okay to confide in others,” youth are not only our present, said Marvin, a ninth-grader. Avoiding violence is one of the but our future,” said International President Eberhard J. Wirfs. “My many life skills taught through goal for Lions is to extend the Lions Quest, celebrating its 25th Lions Quest program to over 60 year. A schools-based program countries worldwide and to for children from kindergarten to develop it as an educational core 12th grade, Lions Quest helps program of Lions Clubs youths learn how to make International and Foundation.” responsible decisions, A new DVD and brochure on communicate effectively and Lions Quest are available free of avoid drugs. More than 11 charge. Donors who contribute million youths have taken part in $25 or more to Lions Quest this a Lions Quest classroom, and year will receive a special more than 350,000 educators commemorative button. and other adults have been Details: www.lions-quest.org trained to implement the programs in school and The Lion online community For your convenience the Lion magazine is settings. The available online at http://www.lionsclubs.org program has .au/news/lion-magazine/index.php drawn rave Members who no longer wish to receive a printed copy of the magazine to their home reviews from address can now elect to have their names educators removed from the database. Please contact and your Cabinet Secretary - name and membership government numbers will be required to take you off this list. agencies Lion Lionsonoz off to flying start Lionsonoz charter member Stewart Payne with one of the newest members, Emma Christensen of Ashford, beside the light plane she piloted to Tamworth recently to ferry three Ashford residents to pathology and specialist medical appointments. Dingley romps home a winner Victoria’s Dingley Village club might have only eight members but it did itself proud when, with a little help from neighbouring clubs, it staged its sixth annual Dingley Dozen Fun Run / Walk. It rained on the Saturday and it rained on the Monday but Sunday was a perfect spring day for the running of the charity event, which has grown from 78 runners in the first year to just on 300 runners this year. First over the line in the Mens 12k, Over 45 event was the very happy John Graham, whose time was actually better than those of runners in the younger section. Dingley Village is a branch club of the Clarinda Lions Club and happily accepted the support of Fifty up in less than a year! Membership of the Australian Lionsonoz Lions Club, the club for wandering Lions, has reached the magic 50 mark. Membership Chairman PDG Warren White says it’s a remarkable effort as the club only received its Charter at the MD Convention in Melbourne in May. Lionsonoz was set up to cater for Lions who have retired and become “grey nomads”, giving them an opportunity to remain in the Lions family yet still travel this wonderful country of ours. Also, it was found there were Lions living in towns that for some reason did not have a Lions club or had lost their Lions club. These existing or past Lions found Lionsonoz an opportunity to remain a Lion and still be able to help their community. “As this is a most unusual Lions club, certain matters can only be handled by looking outside the square,” says Warren White. “For instance, we try as much as we can to induct new members at a mainstream Lions club meeting, but sometimes this is not an option due to distances and timing of their travels, so inductions over the phone or over the internet have become a normal procedure.” Lion Beth Leech of Ashford has sponsored seven new Lions from the northern NSW town. Lionsonoz members have taken on a project of knitting “Wraps with Love” and are busily knitting as they travel between destinations. “We now have three members with pilot licences,” says Warren. “All are connected with NEVAT, an association which organises air transport for people living in the outback to be flown to a central location for medical tests and appointments. We’re making the support of this organisation one of our priorities.” Youth of the Year hits a national high Lions Youth of the Year quest is again in full swing. Around the country scenes like that which took place at the final organised by Western Australia’s Booragoon club are typical. Here more five candidates competed for two prizes. The overall winner was due to represent the club at the next level of the contest. RIGHT: The smiling finalists – (from left) Caryn Tan, Emily Puckridge, Ashleigh Antoine, Jorja Sumner (winner) and Stacey Giunta – are pictured with President Pushpa Rama. December 2009 - January 2010 The time of John Graham, first over the line in the Men’s 12k – Over 45 event, was better than those of runners in the younger section. nearby clubs that pitched in and helped with marshalling on the day. We are all very proud of being able to help each other out with manpower when needed and zones and districts don’t come into it in our area. All runners and walkers received a free showbag, drink, fruit and a barbecued sausage with spot prizes donated by our generous sponsors. Our gold medal sponsor, who we thank, was the Bendigo Bank Dingley. Proceeds were split 50/50 between the Lions Spinal Cord Fellowship and the Lions Cord Blood Foundation, with $2000 going to each. Robert Doherty, David Oakley Dingley Dozen Fun Run Committee. 31 Time to give Lions a hand? ✄ ✄ Support Lions Become a Lion Lions are about giving back to their communities. Lions Australia supports medical research, people with disabilities, emergency relief and leadership development through its projects and activities. Fellowship ... good times ... meeting people ... building lasting friendships ... service to the community ... learning new skills ... leadership and personal development – these are just some of the benefits of being a member of Lions, the world's largest and most active service club organisation. Lions have been a part of the Australian community since 1947, serving the people without promise or want of reward. Lions are people just like you! Joining is by invitation, but applications are encouraged from all members of the community. Membership is for men and women over 18 and of good moral character and reputation. Just fill in the form and send to the National Office so it can be forwarded to a District or Lions Club near you. But Lions cannot do it alone. Your donation or bequest will help Lions to continue this important work. If you would like to assist Lions, please send your donation to: LIONS DONATION Multiple District 201 of Lions Clubs International Inc. Locked Bay 2000 Newcastle 2300 If you would like information on how to make a tax deductible donation to Lions, email our Executive Officer at executive [email protected] or phone on 02) 4940 8033 Helping Lions will help so many others in so many different ways. Email Address: Full Name: Phone Number: Address 1: Address 2: City/Locality: State: Post code: Country: w w w. l i o n s c l u b s . o r g. a u This copy of the Lion magazine has been brought to you by: