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Aussie Lions making adifference around the world

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2014 MD201CONVENTION

Australia Papua New Guinea Edition $1Lions Clubs International

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Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropyDEC – JAN 2013/14 Volume 110 No. 1LION

Lion – Australia and PNGLion - Australia and Papua New Guinea edition ispublished bi-monthly for the Multiple District 201Council of Lions Clubs International and circulated toall members.Published by MD201 Council of Governors and printed byPMP Print, 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton Victoria 3168.An official publication of Lions Clubs International, the Lionmagazine is published by authority of Board of Directors in21 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, French,Swedish, Italian, German, Finnish, Korean, Portuguese,Dutch, Danish, Chinese, Norwegian, Icelandic, Turkish,Greek, Hindi, Polish, Indonesian and Thai.Editor: Tony Fawcett, Fawcett Media20 Millett Road Gisborne South VIC 3437Phone: (03) 9744 1368Email: [email protected] Enquiries: Lions National Office31-33 Denison St, Newcastle West, NSW 2302Phone: (02) 4940-8033Lions Australia website: www.lionsclubs.org.auDeadlines: 1st day of month before cover date.MD201 Council of Governors: Ken Bradford C1,Rhys Roberts C2, Alan Cunningham N1, Allan McDonald N2,Deidre Schaefer N3, Bob Smith N4, Warren Latham N5,Ross Gibbins Q1, Gary Kenny Q2, Robert (Rob) Craig Q3,Delwyn Hallett Q4, George Bugeja T1, Stan Falloon V1-4,Stewart Pyers V2, David Barnes V3, Chandra Mangalore V5,Lynn Fredericks V6, Colin Strafford Heap W1,Alan John Hawkins W2Distribution of Magazine: Clubs and MembersAdditions to distribution list, deletions, changes of addressand of club will be made only when advised through theClub Membership and Activities report. Non-Lions, librariesand other organisations who wish to advise changes shouldcontact Lions National Office, Locked Bag 2000NEWCASTLE NSW 2300, Tel: 02 4940 8033 email:[email protected] Executive Director - Peter LynchManaging Editor - Dane La Joye, Lions Clubs International300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842 USAExecutive Officers President Barry J. Palmer, NorthMaitland, Australia; Immediate Past President Wayne A.Madden, Auburn, Indiana, United States; First Vice PresidentJoseph Preston, Dewey, Arizona, United States; SecondVice President Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada, Minokamo-shi, Gifu-ken, Japan. Contact the officers at Lions Clubs International,300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, Illinois, 60523-8842, USA.

Directors First year: Fabio de Almeida, São Paulo, Brazil;Lawrence A. “Larry” Dicus, California, United States;Roberto Fresia, Albissola Marina, Italy; Alexis VincentGomes, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo; Cynthia B. Gregg,Pennsylvania, United States; Byung-Gi Kim, Gwangju, Korea;Esther LaMothe, Michigan, United States; Yves Léveillé,Quebec, Canada; Teresa Mann, Hong Kong China; Raju V.Manwani, Mumbai, India; William A. McKinney, Illinois,United States; Michael Edward Molenda, Minnesota, UnitedStates; John Pettis Jr., Massachusetts, United States; RobertRettby, Neuchatel, Switzerland; Emine Oya Sebük, Istanbul,Turkey; Hidenori Shimizu, Gunma, Japan; Dr. StevenTremaroli, New York, United States.

Second Year: Benedict Ancar, Bucharest, Romania; Jui-TaiChang, Multiple District 300 Taiwan; Jaime Garcia Cepeda,Bogotá, Colombia; Kalle Elster, Tallinn, Estonia; StephenMichael Glass, West Virginia, United States; Judith Hankom,Iowa, United States; John A. Harper, Wyoming, UnitedStates; Sangeeta Jatia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; SherylM. Jensen, Rotorua, New Zealand; Stacey W. Jones, Florida,United States; Tae-Young Kim, Incheon, Korea; Donal W.Knipp, Missouri, United States; Sunil Kumar R.,Secunderabad, India; Kenneth Persson, Vellinge, Sweden; Dr. Ichiro Takehisa, Tokushima, Japan; Dr. H. Hauser Weiler, Virginia, United States; Harvey F. Whitley, North Carolina, UnitedStates.

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

C O N T E N T S

4 International President’s report

5 Bushfire report

6 Lions action

8 Council Chairman’s report

10 Fight for sight

12 Tamworth time

13 MD201 Convention registration

16 When it pays to be twins

17 Making a difference in Timor Leste

18 International Board Meeting in Australia

21 Keeping tabs on our kids

24 Around the Nation

26 Committee Vacancies

Page 17 - Aid for Timor Leste

Page 20 - Celebrating a great idea

Page 18 - Lions in Mossman

Our c

over

ContributionsContributions for the Feb - March 2014 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].

COVER: Australian Lions aremaking a difference in manyways in many parts of theworld. In Timor Leste, wherethe young girl pictured on ourcover lives, Geelong Lionshave teamed with others toimprove education facilitiesfor the young of the country.The story is on page 17.


Recently the Papua New Guinea MembershipDevelopment Committee sent an appeal letterto all clubs asking for donations to allow thetraining and development of PNG clubs tocontinue.

The appeal was very successful and Chairmanof the Committee PDG Bill Ahearn thanks clubsfor their support.

The money is used to take Lions to PNG toassist with training and development and tobring PNG members to Australia to attendevents that would normally be out of reach forthem.

Recently Zone Chairman for PNG Lions,Charles Los Amet from the Tabubil club, metwith International President Barry Palmer at thePort Douglas International Directors Meeting.

This was a rewarding experience and enabledhim to take important information back to theclubs of PNG.

Three members of the committee are going toPNG in February for a further information andtraining seminar that will help in thedevelopment of a prospective new club.

There will also be a display at the MDConvention in Tamworth in 2014.

Any club wishing to donate can do so bysending contributions to the PNG AssistanceFund via the MD Treasurer.

For further information on the committee’swork, contact the Chairman PDG Bill Ahearn orany of the members listed in the Lions Directory.

Future developments in Papua New Guinea were onthe agenda when PIP Sid Scruggs, PNG ZoneChairman Charles Los Amet and IPDG DougWinterflood of Q2 got together at the InternationalDirectors Meeting recently held in Port Douglas.

Lion

W E ’ R E T H E B R I G H TW E ’ R E T H E B R I G H TK N I G H T S O F L I F EK N I G H T S O F L I F E

Our reputation precedes us. Neighbours,friends and relatives of Lions bring their oldeyeglasses to us when paying a social call. Amagazine writing about a stylish eyewearcompany in New York that donateseyeglasses headlined the article with “OnePart Boutique, One Part Lions Clubs.” Google“Lions Clubs and sight” and you get15,700,000 results. “LensCrafters (a largeAmerican glasses manufacturer) and sight”yields a relatively paltry 146,000 results. Andthink of the advertising budget of a hugecompany like that!

We are Knights of the Blind and proud of it.We’ve taken on that mission since 1925 whenHelen Keller spoke at our 9th InternationalConvention in Cedar Point, Ohio, and eloquentlyasked us to be the Knights of the Blind. True,

clubs complete all kinds of service projects,and some clubs don’t focus on sight. That’sperfectly fine. But our history and identity arerooted in helping the blind and preservingvision. It’s a glorious, beautiful, magnificentmission, and every Lion can rightly take pridein what we do.

We know that many clubs – probably yours– toil quietly as unsung heroes in the battle

against blindness. I tip my Lions hat to you for allyou do.

We often don’t receive thanks for what we do.That’s OK. We know in our hearts the impact ofour service. But occasionally someone brightensour day with an acknowledgement. It happenedto Sue Nixson of the Commerce Lions Club inTexas weeks after a vision screening at a school.Wearing her new glasses, a young girl happenedto enter Nixson’s workplace with her parent.“That’s the lady from the Lions club!” sheshouted. Then she joyously hugged Lion Sue.

Anne and I send our very best wishes in thisholiday season to you and hope next year is fullof laughter, love and, of course, more gloriousservice to improve vision.

Barry J. PalmerYour Lions Clubs International President

By Barry J.Palmer AM,Lions ClubsInternationalPresident

PNG push makesgood progress


5December - January 2013/14

Lions wasted little time getting involved after the recent disastrous NSWbushfires.

Quickly Council Chairman Gary Parker requested the Australian LionsFoundation start an Australia-wide appeal through Lions, Lioness and Leoclubs to support those impacted by the devastating fires.

“From our previous experiences such tragedies may not be limited to justone area in our country and as we are now heading into some veryvulnerable seasons this appeal will remain in place if needed in the future forother areas,” said Glenn Herbert, Chairman of the Australian LionsFoundation.

Clubs wishing to donate or undertake collections should send fundsthrough to their Cabinet Treasurer who will onforward to the Australian LionsFoundation.

The Australian Lions Foundation will distribute funds direct to areasthrough the District administration to start assistance. The foundation hasalready donated two Emergency Disaster Grants of $10,000 each to DistrictsN3 and N4 for their immediate use. Further assistance is being provided toother impacted Districts as requested.

Clubs that previously collected funds from individuals or organisations andrequire a tax deductible receipt should apply with the name and full addressof the donors.

For further details, contact your District ALF chairman or your State Trusteefor assistance.

QUICK LIONS RESPONSEQUICK LIONS RESPONSEBUSHFIRE REPORT

LionsamongthevictimsWinmaleeLions John andTrish Donohoewere amongabout 200 who lost homes during the recent bushfires.

Their only possessions to survive were a mug, a dog toy and a fewpot plants.“Dad was very lucky to get out just as the back yardstarted burning, taking the dog, cats and a very small amount ofphotos,” reported their children in opening an appeal for their parentsvia Facebook.“We are so grateful everyone is alive and safe.”

Added daughter Keara: “There are so many other people who havelost everything, but it is heartbreaking to see your own parents battlethrough this. They remain ever positive, and I know if they had notlost their place Dad would be the first one to rally the troops andorganise a fundraiser, and Mum would be of course the shoulder forothers to cry on. They are inspirational.”

International President Barry Palmer and Lions and others at the burnt-out home of Winmalee bushfirevictims Jennie and Robert Hall. Also in the group are Winmalee Lions John and Trish Donohoe (seebelow) who lost their home.


Lion6

LIONS ACTION

NSW’s Bellingen Lions werequick to react when askedby the local shire council toconstruct and install a largetimber sign in front of thecouncil chambers.

Lion Lester Sheather wasin charge of constructing thesign and the routing of thelettering was done by PhilGreen.

In 2005 Melbourne’s Lions Club of Sunshine began ahumanitarian project in Samoa.

The project supports schools in Samoa by collecting items

surplus to local school requirements and sending them to needy

villages across Samoa.

Included are chairs, tables, reading books, computers, musical

and sports equipment that would otherwise end up in landfill.

The club raises funds by conducting barbecues and seeking

sponsorship. Any clubs wishing to become a partner in the project

can contact Frank Dri, Lions Club of Sunshine (0438 117 810 or

[email protected]) for information.

Collected items are sent by container to Apia, Samoa once a

year. In the nine years of operation the project has assisted 16

village schools and kindergartens.

FROM THIS ... ... TO THIS

Aussie Lions making an educational difference in Samoa

Sign of times in Bello


7December - January 2013/14

Hear, hear, a good idea!Most Lions know about collectingglasses for the ‘Recycle for Sight’program but did you know abouthearing aids?

They have recently been includedin the program.

One of the first clubs to getinvolved was V5’s Diamond Valley.

It topped other clubs recently withmore than 98 hearing aids collectedin three months.

Surplus hearing aids weredonated by Town and CountryHearing in Greensborough. Thehearing aids will go to The PrincessAlexandra Hospital in Brisbane.Those aids not suitable are sharedbetween All Ears Abroad, Cambodiaand an orphanage in Bali.

Diamond Valley Lions collection point atthe Spec Savers Greensborough store.

It took a 1,500km trek but South Australia’sMillicent Lions again catered for the famousBirdsville races.

This is the third year they have handled the job.The club has a long affiliation with Birdsville, having

conducted a number of fundraising visits to support theRoyal Flying Doctor service.

Once they drove a Farmall model A tractor from PortMacdonnell to Birdsville, and in subsequent years theyhave restored a Maple Leaf Chevrolet truck for thejourney, an old Pontiac and in 1996 they drove an oldBedford fire truck there.

In excess of $1 million dollars has been raised by theclub for the Royal Flying Doctor service.

This year the Millicent team assisted in selling 130kgof scotch fillet, 40kg of sausages, 648 OBE organicbeef burgers, 53kg of bacon, 270 loaves of bread and80 dozen eggs. On the Sunday morning after the racesthey cooked 37 dozen eggs.

Profits from last year’s catering allowed a donationof $1000 to the Birdsville Medical Clinic. It went towardthe purchase of a flatbed x-ray machine.

CAKES AWAY: It’s Christmas cake selling time andSydney’s Bondi Lions were among the first in action.

Millicent Lions member Garry Davis presents Sue Hainesand Bev Morton of the Birdsville Medical clinic with a $1000cheque while other Millicent members watch on.

Birdsville marathon

Apart from its standoutrailway station, Tamworthhas much to offer theheritage minded.

During the 2014 MDConvention in Tamworth in May,a major attraction will be theQuirindi Rural Heritage Village thatwill be staging its annual VintageMachinery and Miniature Railway Rally andswap meet.

The village was a brainchild of the localLions club almost 20 years ago whenmembers realised the district's heritage wasbeing lost through clearing sales and the like.

A public meeting was called by thecouncil, and now it has grown to become awonderful tourist attraction valued at over $1million and with about 150 members.

It boasts vintage machinery, cars, trucksand tractors, miniature rail displays and morethan 100 swap sites selling a variety of goodsfrom spare parts to jewellery, craft items,

bric-a-bracand many antiques.

The museum has more than 2,000 exhibitsranging from steam engines to fine lace andeven a model tram and train display.

The coffee shop offers delicious lightmeals, morning and afternoon teas. Themuseum is open every Friday, Saturday andSunday 10am-4pm or other times byappointment. Details: Lion Beryl Mannion, (02) 6746 1479,[email protected].

Heritage Tamworth

Photo courtesy of Lou Farina, Tamworth


8 Lion

From Council Chairman Gary

Dear members of theLions Family,The celebrationsfollowing theInternational Boardmeeting in PortDouglas have beenoutstanding.

The donation ofvehicles and

equipment for the local area along with theplanting of trees will leave a lasting impression ofthe wonderful work being done by Lions clubs.Add to this the establishment of a new Lions club,the setting up of a specialist program forindigenous youth and an International Boardleaving this country saying they have never seenanything like this before. On behalf of MD201 Icongratulate the very hard work of the Committeeof local Lions who worked with the staff from LCIto deliver such an outstanding result. Well done!

It has been a busy time for Lions membersthroughout the Multiple District. The months ofOctober and November have seen the staging of19 District Conventions and these have been wellreported with outstanding successes takingplace. We have had excellent opportunities tomeet with and learn from many internationalguests who were in Australia following theInternational Board meeting held at Port Douglas.This year we have had outstanding pyrotechnicsdelivered, amazing guest speakers, presentedspecial awards, and more International gueststhan you need to count – the InternationalPresident and International Vice Presidents alongwith Past International Presidents andInternational Directors, so the range ofexperiences have been excellent.

There have been the unfortunate bushfires inthe Blue Mountains area and the worst affectedarea was at Winmalee. International PresidentBarry and Lion Anne were able to visit the areaand speak with some of the local residents andLions who lost their homes. They managed to dothis on their way from the N5 Convention inBathurst. It is pleasing to know that District N4Disaster Alert Chairperson Anne Jones has beenmeeting with the local Lions clubs to see whatcan be done to assist the situation. Clubs havebeen making donations to the National Appealand these funds will be distributed when andwhere required.

Attending the C2 and N5 Conventions with the

International President were two very rewardingexperiences. IP Barry was very much at homewith his local District members at the N5 eventand it was interesting to note that he had alegitimate delegates vote as a PDG and he diduse it. He allowed Mick Joffe to capture him incaricature as did DG Warren Latham during the

weekend. Am not sure who came off the best!There are still busy times around the Districts.

Membership is still a challenge for a few areasbut I know this issue is being addressed and Icongratulate those Governors who have met theirtargets for membership and received recognitionfrom International President Barry.

The Lions Clubs International-Special OlympicsOpening Eyes program ensures that visionscreenings are part of select Special Olympicssporting events worldwide. The Special OlympicsOpening Eyes program provides life-changingclinical intervention through the provision ofprescription eyeglasses and protective sportsgoggles, while also helping those athletes withmore urgent eye care needs to receive a referralto an eye-care specialist in their community.

This year the Special Olympics Asia PacificGames are currently being held in Newcastle.Local clubs and Lions club members have beeninvited to assist with the volunteering for thisevent. International President Barry and Anne

attended the opening ceremony of this event andalso took part in some of the other activitiesbeing held. These games brought together 27countries that form the Asia Pacific region,alongside five guest countries from the East Asiaregion. The games are a unique celebration thatshow how we can build acceptance, foster

inclusion and ultimately transform the lives ofpeople with intellectual disability.

Since our last magazine Lois and I havecelebrated a couple of significant family events.We have a new granddaughter who was born onthe Gold Coast on the 2nd of October. MackenzieJade Parker is the second daughter to our sonDavid and his wife Johte and a sister to Madison.The other major event was the marriage of ouryoungest daughter Anita to Christopher Biziak onthe 2nd of November. It was a wonderful day foreveryone and thoroughly enjoyed by all. It wasalso my birthday so I could not think of a betterpresent than to celebrate our daughter’s wedding.

We now move to the Christmas season andLois and I take this opportunity to wish allmembers and their families a very merryChristmas and a happy new year. We trust youhave a safe holiday time and that you enjoy whatyou do until we return to our clubs in 2014.

– Gary Parker

International President Barry Palmer and Council Chairman Gary Parker speak with fire victim Richard Bell.


December - January 2013/14 9

Why not attendyour DistrictConvention?Did you know thatyour District has aConvention eachyear?

District Conventionsprovide an opportunityto find out a whole lot

about Lions activities and programs in your area. Itis a chance to ‘have your say’ on how the Districtoperates, who will lead it and the programs it willsupport.

District Conventions are held in October andNovember each year and they have recently beencompleted. Despite their success, many Districtshave reported that attendances are not alwaysreaching expectations. So let’s explore some myths.1. Are Conventions only for Lions leaders?

Any Lion, Leo or Lioness is welcome to attend aDistrict Convention. Lions Conventions are all thethings I mentioned above and also a greatcelebration of our work. Most, if not allConventions, are open to friends and family as well.

We often make judgements about whether it willappeal to our friends and family. I brought my 12-

year-old son to the N4 District Convention in Forbesthis year and he honestly had a wonderful time.(Thank you for the hospitality, Lions.)2. Are Conventions all about speeches andvoting?

Conventions are about the democracy of Lions,but a whole lot more. Most Conventions haveworkshops where you can have your say and getinvolved. There are exhibitions and displays.

They are also chock-full of entertainment andhospitality. Food, friendship, music and dancing.3. Isn’t it just another voluntary commitmenton top of my club duties?

You work very hard in your Lions role; clubmeetings, projects, activities. Perhaps like me, youare the Club Treasurer and spend evenings catchingup on the books. Attending the Convention canhelp you recharge your batteries and regain yourmotivation. What could be better than meeting like-minded people that have made the samecommitment to service that you have?4. What else

Have you met any Lions that seem to attendevery Convention; District or Multiple District? Themost common reason for doing this is that theyhave firm, long-term friendships in Lions. If youattend the Convention, you will have fun, you willmeet people that you have much in common with,and you will make friends.

(And the same happens at our Multiple

District Convention.)Perhaps it’s time you devoted one of your Club

meetings to talking about boosting yourrepresentation at a Convention. This may be thebest thing you can do for your new members toshow them so much more about Lions.

Wishing you all a very happy and peacefulChristmas break. – Rob Oerlemans

From Executive Officer Rob

Coming up• Register early for the Tamworth MultipleDistrict Convention. It will be busy and someevents are strictly limited in numbers. Go tohttp://lionsclubs.org.au/conventions/tamworth-2014/ for information.• The Sid Packham Award. Entries close 28February 2014.• Registration for the InternationalConvention are open. Please note the specialtravel offer advertised below.• Notices of Motiona) Project Notices of Motion are to be receivedby the Executive Officer prior to 1 January2014.b) Fundraising Activity Notices of Motion are tobe received by the Executive Officer prior to 1January 2014.c) Ordinary and Constitutional Notices of Motionare to be received by the Executive Officerbefore 3 March 2014.


10 Lion

The Queensland town of Mossman wasthe site of much action when itcelebrated the 16th Lions World SightDay on October 10.

“Mossman is a small town that serves anumber of smaller rural communities andall the land between,” said Lions ClubsInternational President Barry J. Palmer onthe day.

“Residents have to travel a considerabledistance for specialised vision care, somany people don’t get their vision screenedon a regular basis or don’t follow up whenthey learn that they have problems. For thatreason, the local and district Lions clubsscheduled vision screenings at two schoolsin Mossman and at the community centre.”

At Mossman State School and at StAugustine School, Lions, in conjunction withMossman Community Health Services andCoral Sea Eyecare in Port Douglas, screened80 students aged five to six. Parents of 20

students have been informed that their sonsor daughters need follow-up care.

Lions, again with assistance fromMossman Community Health Services andan ophthalmologist and assistant fromCairns, also arranged a free public eyescreening at the Mossman CommunityCentre. More than 80 residents, including anumber from the local indigenouscommunity, were screened. “The need forthis screening was clear,” said IP Palmer.Between 25 and 30 per cent of thosescreened were found to have visionproblems and referred for follow-up care.Of those referred, 50 per cent hadsignificant problems which, if untreated,could lead to loss of sight. Many withsignificant problems had previously beenadvised by Mossman Community HealthServices that they needed to see anophthalmologist but had not soughttreatment, probably because of the cost of

International Lions come to outback Mossman

FIGHT FOR SIGHT



Join Tony Fawcett, Editor of the Lions Magazine on a

Garden Tour to

We visit many spectacular gardens including Hidcotein the Cotswolds, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbienello

on Lake Como, Villa Cetinale and Ninfa gardens.

Visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, Londonfor the Chelsea Flower Show, Venice,Ascona on Lake Maggiore, Siena and Rome.

England, Switzerland & Italy

May 17 to June 7, 2014

TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL PTYLTD

1800 630 343Licence No. 30858

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transportation. One couple, advised that they were at risk ofglaucoma, tried to treat the symptoms with “liquid tears”.

Because the closest ophthalmologist is more than 100kmaway and many people do not have cars, they have to pay forexpensive transportation to see a vision specialist and follow-upappointments. Through a grant from the LCIF SightFirst, Lionspresented a large van to Mossman Health Facility to be used forfree trips to see a specialist. LCIF also provided funds forspecialised ophthalmology equipment to the Cairns HospitalFoundation.

This was the first vision screening that the local Lions clubhad sponsored for some years. It was so successful that theLions and Mossman Community Health Services are working tomake these screenings an annual event.

Members of the LCI Board of Directors, which was meeting atnearby Port Douglas, attended the screenings. President andMrs Palmer read with students at both schools and presented acheque for new books for each school library. The president andboard members also planted a number of trees at the schools.

Lions around the world marked LWSD with many activities. Inthe United Kingdom, the Lord Mayor of Leeds took part in aLions blindfold walk, assisted by a guide dog, to raise awarenessof issues faced by those with sight impairments. In Avallon,France, Lions worked with local health professionals to providefree screenings and distributed information. In Hyderabad, India,Lions conducted a free eye camp and provided cataractsurgeries. The Lions Club of Grand Cayman in the CaymanIslands screened children and adults. And in the United States,the Coon Rapids Lions Club in Minnesota set up informationbooths throughout town and collected used eyeglasses anddonations for the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank.

– Melitta J. Cutright

TAKING SIGHTFIRST TO THE PEOPLE: When members of the Lions Clubs International Boardof Directors met in Port Douglas earlier this year they took time out to celebrate World Sight Daywith the rural community of Mossman (pictured opposite page) There were screenings for manyand International President Barry Palmer (below and bottom, far left) read to students at twoschools and presented books, while LCIF SightFirst presented a large bus to the local health facility.Between 25 and 30 per cent of those screened were found to have vision problems.

SEE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS COVERAGE – PAGE 18


TAMWORTH TIMETAMWORTH TIME

Get in tune for the 62nd LionsNational Convention in Australia’sCountry Music Capital

A LITTLE ABOUT TAMWORTHKnown as the “First City of Lights”, because in 1888it became the first place in Australia to use electricstreet lights, Tamworth is now best known for hostingthe second biggest country music festival in theworld.

Straddling the Peel River in the New Englandregion of NSW, it’s just about midway betweenBrisbane and Sydney. It has a population of about47,595 and is nearly as well known for its horses asits music.

Dubbed the “National Equine Capital of Australia”,it hosts an extraordinarily high number of equineevents and boasts the biggest horse complex of itskind in the southern hemisphere, the world classAustralian Equine and Livestock Events Centre.

Tamworth is calling all Australian Lions to attend the Lions ClubsNational Convention in Tamworth from May 2 to 5 2014 at theTamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC).Early registrations are already pouring in and if they keep going atthis rate Tamworth 2014 will be one of the biggest MD201conventions ever. So you need to register and make bookings nowas some things will sell out.With a blue guitar as its logo, the 2014 convention in Australia’scountry music capital is set to be something special.Don’t forget your accommodation – currently there is stillaccommodation available but it will go quickly.This will be a convention to remember with interesting speakersincluding our International President Barry Palmer, fantasticentertainment with a country music cabaret and The Bushwackersappearing at the Denim and Lace Shindig, plus a partner’s tour witha difference. So do yourself a favour, register now to avoiddisappointment!

All Tamworth photography courtesy of Lou Farina, Tamworth


Lion14

MULTIPLE DISTRICT 201 OFLIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL

PAYMENT METHODS

❏ Cheque: Made Payable to:Lions MD201 ConventionCommittee 2014 – AdministrationAccount

❏ Direct Crediting Details:Account Name: Lions MD 201Convention Committee 2014BSB: 122 744 Account: 21942470

Please forward a copy of your

e-banking receipt with this

Registration Form. When paying

your registration, under Payee Ref.,

please include your Surname

name.

❏ Credit Card: MasterCard ❏Visa ❏

Card No. _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _

/ _ _ _ _

Expiry Date: ____ / _____

Name on Card:

____________________________

Signature:

____________________________

FORWARD REGISTRATION FORM

AND PAYMENT TO:

Lions 62nd MD201 Convention

PO BOX 894

Tamworth NSW 2340



DENIM & LACE SHINDIG FINALEMonday 5th May 6:30pm for 7:00pm at TRECC.Join this great last night shindig with dinnermusic by Champagne Charlie and after dinnerfeaturing:

THE BUSHWACKERSThis band (pictured below) is an Australian icon,having recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.

They are known throughout the world andappeared in Nashville recently. Three times theyhave been awarded Golden Guitars, they havereceived Mo Awards and been inducted into theGalaxy of Stars.So come in your denim, lace and checked shirtsfor this great night and kick up your heels, or justenjoy the company of friends along with fantastic

music.

BUSESBuses going to TRECC willbe leavingmotels/hotels/caravan parkseach morning and returningeach afternoon.Buses will also be goingfrom motels etc to the

Denim and Lace Shindig and returningafterwards.Cost $20.00 per person for the whole convention.Tamworth Buslines also run a bus from TRECC totown and return on Friday, Saturday and Mondayfor a small charge. A timetable will be available atthe information booth.

Australian Chapter of LionsInternational Stamp ClubThe Stamp Club will be selling a commemorativeenvelope using a special cancellation prepared byAustralia Post for $3.00 at the convention. Formore information contact Ross Paine, Secretary,10 Balgownie Drive, Peregian Springs QLD 4573,Ph: 07 5448 1592 Email:[email protected]

Some things to know for Tamworth


16 Lion

Following on from the successful twinning ofthe Canberra-Kambah Lions Club with thePatong Beach (Thailand) in 2010, sixmembers (plus five Lions partners) venturedoverseas to visit the disadvantaged primaryschool they both support.

The visit included the handing out of $500

worth of school supplies and sporting equipment,

which was enthusiastically received by the

principle, teachers and the children.

At a dinner meeting the Canberra-Kambah

President exchanged gifts and banners with the

Patong Beach President.

The group also participated in an 83rd birthday

party for one of the Patong Beach members.

The visit was highly successful and it’s hoped

that it can be repeated in 2015.

The Kambah club recommends that other

Australian Lions clubs twin with overseas clubs

and visit regularly to foster relationships.

The latest trip was not all business and the

Australian Lions visited many of the local tourist

attractions. The hospitality of the Patong Beach

Lions was much appreciated, in line with the

International Purposes – To create and foster a

spirit of understanding amongst the peoples of the

world.

WIN-WIN PROJECT: Canberra-Kambah Lions’twinning program provided help on the ground whileallowing visits to some of Thailand’s attractions.

When it pays to be twinsTwinning Lions clubsproves its worth as ameans to maximise theeffectiveness of an aidproject while fosteringrelationships



Thanks to a donation of $8,750 by the V2Cabinet (2012-13), vital vaccination equipmentand the reconstruction and refurbishment ofdamaged schools has been achieved in TimorLeste.

The project was undertaken by the City ofGreater Geelong’s (CoGG) “Friends of Viqueque”organisation.

The organisation recently thanked Lions for thegenerous donation.

As well as work on the schools, it allowed for theinstillation of a vaccination refrigerator in theViqueque (VQQ) hospital.

Two Lions representatives and teachers fromSacred Heart College, St Ignatius Drysdale, StJosephs, Christian College and St. John of GodHospital recently visited VQQ to help rural studentsand families who live a subsistence lifestyle.

Ms Cathie Maher, International Health ProjectOfficer of St. John of God Hospital, led a team ofthree intensive care unit nurses who worked in VQQHospital and oversaw the installation of waterpurification equipment provided by Barwon Water.

Torquay Lion Tricia Blane supervised ninevolunteers teaching English language at secondaryschools, while Daryl Riddle OAM, the CEO ofChristian College, visited with two senior staff andTetum-speaking teacher Debbie Singleton and 10secondary students.

Geelong Corio Bay Lion Brian Edward and Lions

Lady Yvonne undertook an audit of school buildingsin need of urgent repair.

All volunteers were represented on the CoGG"Friends of VQQ" committee and have expertise ineducation and health.

The teachers were also members of "GeelongFriendship Schools Inc" and represent 12 localsecondary schools linked to and helping strugglingpartner schools in the VQQ district (visitwww.geelong-viqueque.com.au).

As an example of their work, Christian Collegefunded the building of a secondary school at Krarasfor $50,000 in 2010. It also worked in partnershipwith the V2 Cabinet that donated $22,000 in 2012toward the building of a $40,000 primary school atMoto Lee in 2012 (see photo left).

The good works and reputation of the GeelongVQQ Friendship Schools committee Inc. wereendorsed recently by an unsolicited donation of$120,000. The money will be used to rebuildschools, grant student scholarships and to ensurestudents learn their native Tetum language andEnglish as a second language.

Lions making a difference in Timor Leste

LIONS AT WORK: Lions Tricia Blane and BrianEdward confirm that the V2 donation and thefinancial commitment of the Lions Clubs of Ararat,Melbourne Vietnamese and Williamstown are alsoacknowledged by signage.


18 Lion18

What a momentous occasion for AustralianLions when our first Australian InternationalPresident, Barry Palmer AM from Sydney, heldthe LCI Board Meeting in Port Douglas duringthe first two weeks of October.

It is the first time a Board Meeting has been heldin Australia other than in conjunction with anInternational Convention, and to hold it in the TropicalNorth Queensland paradise just north of Cairns wassignificant for the Lions of 201Q2 as the HostDistrict, and the Host Committee which comprisedLions and Lionesses from all around NorthQueensland including the Mossman Lions Club.

From our first greetings at the airport with ourwelcome bags to our final goodbyes back in Cairns,those dressed in the distinctive Host Committeetropical blue shirts made a lasting impression onour International guests. And while the InternationalBoard worked hard, International President Barryalso ensured there was time for them and theirspouses to take in the spectacular sights of theregion.

Highlights of Board Meeting• The opening on the Sunday, where Her Excellencythe Governor of Queensland, MS Penelope WensleyAC, officially welcomed our international guests toNorth Queensland. Also in attendance was our ownAustralian Council of Governors and their partners,with Council Chairman Gary Parker conducting hisCouncil Meeting to coincide with the Boardmeeting. And when the Host Committee under theChairmanship of PDG John Muller OAM welcomedInternational President Barry and the Board with aone word welcome – “G’day”, the tone was set fora great relaxed event.

And who could forget the wonderful demonstrationof six-year-old Jessie-Lea Russell in her Hart Walkeras she proudly proclaimed to all: “I’m walking! HurryDaddy, faster!” Maybe it was the large toy motherkoala and baby that IP Barry held to encourage her,or our wonderfully gracious Governor (patron of theCerebral Palsy League of Qld) leaving her seat totake Jessie-Lee’s hand and lead her in her walk.This was an inspiring moment that left not a dry eyein the auditorium. A wonderful example of whereLions have made a huge difference through theLions Children’s Mobility Foundation and thedonation of her Hart Walker. After the opening theGovernor mingled with the Australian Council ofGovernors and the Host Committee before enjoyinglunch with IP Barry and the Board.• The Opening Board Dinner on Sunday night,when International President Barry honoured one ofNorth Queensland’s living legends, PDG Mick BorziAM OBE, when he was presented with the highestaward Lions can give – “The Ambassador of

Goodwill”. PDG Mick is a Charter and Life Memberof the Mareeba Lions Club, a Progressive MelvinJones Fellow, and has received numerous awardsduring his lifetime of Lions service (55 years). He was appointed District Governor in 1963-64(aged 30). The year before, to form a new District(District 201H), he undertook the monumental taskof forming a minimum 30 clubs from Monto in thesouth, west to Mt Isa, and north including PapuaNew Guinea. These clubs had to be formed beforethe National Convention in May 1963. The newDistrict was achieved with 31 clubs – including fivein PNG. It took a lot of his time and energy (at thattime he was Mareeba Council Shire Chairman,Chairman of the Mareeba Ambulance, a member ofthe Mareeba Hospital Board, and running hisbusiness). A few years later he was directlyresponsible for bringing the International Airport toCairns.

PDG Mick was one of 20 from Australia whowere honoured with the Lismore Medal and thePioneer Lion Award at the 50th Anniversary of Lionsin Australia Convention held in Lismore in 1997.

Lions World Sight Day, Thursday 10th October.This Lions Global Initiative, now in its 19thyear, was this year conducted in the smallsugar town of Mossman, a few kilometresfrom Port Douglas.

• Family Day Friday 11th October – the last dayof the Board Meeting, when IP Barry took the Boardmembers and spouses to the tropical village ofKuranda. And what a surprise awaited them whenthey arrived on the scenic railway – a “Welcome toKuranda” by the Aboriginal performer andDidgeridoo Player (now Lion) Manny Ross, who alsoperformed for IP Barry at the InternationalConvention and DGE training in Hamburg. Mannywas joined by members of the Bulwai community,including Elder Willie Brim and an Aboriginal dancegroup. Host Committee Chairperson and GMT AreaLeader for MD201 PDG John Muller had beenworking with Lion Manny and his group, with anannouncement that they had just achieved their20th paid-up member to Charter their own SpecialPurpose Lions Club – the “Bulwai Cultural Heritage

International Board Meeting in AustraliaPort Douglas givesworld Lion leaders atrue Aussie welcome

International Lions visitors joined locals in celebrating World Sight Day in Mossman.

Lions Club”.And weren’t they surprised when International

President Barry and LCIF Chairperson IPIP WayneMadden presented them an LCIF Seed Grant ofUSD$10,000 to provide education andemployment opportunities to the Bulwai people tohelp preserve their proud culture.

IP Barry also recognised the President of theexisting Kuranda Lions Club, charter member DougStratford, with his Presidential banner and pin.

IP Palmer also visited the local markets wherehe met another local legend, Kuranda Lion ColJeans. For more than 25 years Lion Col has sat inhis wheelchair in the markets selling his jokebooks and pens to raise funds for the KurandaLions, and what a wonderful surprise when IPBarry also spent time with him and presented himwith his Presidential banner.

Then it was time to leave Kuranda, returning toCairns on the skyrail, followed by a tree-planting atthe base of the range where the Internationalcontingent had the opportunity to plant their owntree as part of the Presidential EnvironmentalTheme. This was followed by a visit to the TjapukaiHeritage Centre, and all too soon the InternationalBoard Meeting was over.

• Saturday 12th October saw IP Barry & Anneand the majority of the Board depart, taking withthem some wonderful memories of their time inTropical North Queensland.

But what wonderful “leave behinds” resultedfrom this visit:-

• Donations totalling more than USD$55,000 asa result of Lions World Sight Day

• Tree Plantings to assist our Environment inthree separate locations

• A new chartered Lions club, plus newmembers in Mossman Lions and furtheropportunities for both Kuranda & Mossman clubsto increase their membership

Thank you, IP Barry, for your foresight to bringthis Lions Clubs International Board Meeting toNorth Queensland.

PDG John D W Muller OAMHost Committee Chairperson


December - January 2013/141919

$1 million appeal for Queensland drought victimsAustralian Lions have been urgently requested to support an appealto raise $1 million for drought-ravaged western Queenslandfarmers.

The appeal is considered necessary to preserve the western graziers’ vitalbreeding stock.

Already a project is underway across Queensland in conjunction withvoluntary organisation Aussie Helpers, founded by Brian Egan who wasnamed Australia’s Senior Citizen of the Year a couple of years ago for hiswork in setting up the body.

Aussie Helpers has been helping rural Australians in times of crisis formore than 11 years.

The appeal is being coordinated by the Lions Club of Townsville CastleHill.

‘We were shocked by what we saw’Said local District Governor Gary Kenny: “My wife Lion Audrey and I have

recently completed a tour of our District’s western clubs – west of Townsvillethrough Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek and Cloncurry out to Mt Isa thennorth to Karumba.

“We were shocked by what we saw with the drought very much evident. Iam sure each of your District’s country areas have similar issues.

“Some Lions from Townsville Castle Hill are often on the ground out thereand have commenced a drought relief project to deliver stock feed to thosemost in need and also hopefully to avoid more worrying consequentialaspects of the farmers’ wellbeing.”

While the $1 million target was originally aimed at Queensland Lionsduring October, it’s hoped that Lions all over Australia will pitch in andsupport the appeal.

Funds can be safely donated online to www.LionsDroughtRelief.com.auand are tax deductible.

RIGHT: One million dollars is needed to help Queensland farmers recover fromone of the worst droughts in recent times.

Might your club be looking for a warm-weather getaway upnorth?

If so, the Lions Club of Tin Can Bay, Queensland can help youout with its accommodation/conference centre on the beautifulforeshore of Tin Can Bay, two-and-half hours from Brisbane.

The centre is dedicated to local girl Cathy Bale who sufferedfrom cystic fibrosis and sadly passed away in 1987.

“Our centre was opened in 1990, having been built by localtradespeople who not only volunteered their time but their moneyand materials as well,” says publicity officer Jill Press.

Cathy House offers accommodation packages to communitygroups, school groups, church groups, social clubs, sporting clubsand of course to other Lions.

It can accommodate a minimum of six to a maximum of 41 inbunk-styled bedrooms with a commercial kitchen, dining/meetingroom, lounge room with TV and DVD player, laundry room, in-ground pool and ample parking. Tin Can Bay offers a huge amountof activities to enjoy during your stay, including dolphin feeding,Great Sandy Straits National Park, surf beach at Rainbow Beach,coloured sands, Fraser Island, fishing and wildflower/naturewalks – so why not come visit. Information: (07) 5486 4391 oremail [email protected].

Want to get away?


.)

20 Lion

It was a quilt that began as a good idea,hatched last year by two avid quilters, andnow seems set to launch a new Lions club.

The quilt idea started with Robyn Falloon ofMelbourne’s Doutta Galla club and her quiltingcolleague Rose Piper.

They decided to invite 20 of Victoria’s masterquilters (pictured below) to produce a quilt based ona design by American quilter Sue Garman.

It was a massive project, sponsored by theDoutta Galla club and involving massive amounts oftime and called “Quilt – Esprit de Corps” and it’s

shaping up to have amassive outcome.

Already theextraordinary quilt hasbeen displayed atMelbourne’s Craft & QuiltFair where it was haileda showstopper, beenfeatured innewspapers, andgone on tour to guildshows, majorexhibitions andselected shops.

And on June 52014 it will bethe prize in araffle at a galadinner.

The quilt isexpected toraise aminimum of$20,000 for

the CarolineChisholm Society that assists

women and young families through pregnancysupport and domestic violence issues.

Yet that’s not all. When it was displayed at theCraft & Quilt Fair, viewers were invited to registerinterest in forming a Lions Club of Quilters. “Fromthis first outing of this amazing quilt, we have about40 who would like to know more about joining Lionsas a special interest club,” says Robyn Falloon.

“This is exciting and we are preparing the nextsteps to take this further. I am confident that aroundhalf have indicated that they are already ‘in’ so anew club doesn’t seem too far away.”

Robyn says the quilt project would not havebeen nearly so successful without the support ofthe Craft & Quilt Fair organiser, Sydney-basedExpertise Events, that provided the floor space,lighting, carpet walls, table, chairs and power and awonderfully prominent corner position.

Proceeds from the project will fund some of thefit-out of rooms inthe CarolineChisholm Society’srelocation from avery old andcramped house inMelbourne’sMoonee Ponds, tolarger and morewelcoming andpractical premisesin nearby NorthEssendon.

c

How to start aspecial interestLions clubRobyn Falloon believes other clubs couldestablish similar special interest Lionsclubs.She has provided these starter points.● Find an area of special interest in yourcommunity (football/sporting groups, bookclubs, craft groups, health care professionals,golfers, entertainment industry). ● Prepare a flyer with possible short and longterm goals or projects that could beaccomplished by that group, and which mightrelate to the group's interests – it is importantto capture the imagination for what might be.● Spark imagination and interest using yourenthusiasm for Lions when you speak withpeople about the potential of a new Lions club.● Have ‘expressions of interest’ forms atassociated events and invite registrations ofname and contact details.● Make it clear that this is for moreinformation only and that there is nocommitment required. ● Follow up with a one-hour informationmeeting with an enthusiastic facilitator andspeakers followed by question and answertime and tea/coffee.● Collate lists and follow up those who thenshow interest in the new club formation.● Maintain momentum and excitement bypresenting the small Lions lapel pin to thosecommitted to forming the new club.● Invite the District GMT teams to work withyou regarding steps required by LCI for theformation of the new club.● Source suitable Guiding Lions who will becompatible with the new club and who willassist with the initial establishment andguidance of the new club.● Working together with the new members,develop ideas and action plans for thosepossible club projects to enable the club to hitthe ground running.● And remember that these are very specialnew Lions who deserve to be treated withrespect, listened to, allowed to develop theirfull potential, and certainly not lectured to.● Encourage! Encourage! Encourage!

Anyone interested in making a Pledge of$20 to Make a Difference in Women’s Livescan contact Robyn or visitwww.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=57103..

Quilting up a winning concept

A club starter if everthere was one!



“We will continue providingthis service as long as themums and dads in theValley value it.”

Lion Jim Neave knows a

thing or two about shopping

centres, fetes and fairs in

Canberra’s Tuggeranong Valley.

In recent years Jim, from the

Kambah Lions, has managed

the club's Identikid program

that has issued over 2,000

cards to Canberra parents.

The Lions ID card for kids

displays a child’s pictures and

key details such as their age

and eye and hair colour.

If a child wanders off,

parents can hand over the card

to police or shopping centre

staff to help find their missing

boy or girl.

A missing child is among the

most distressing situation any

parent can face, so having an

Identikid card showing a child’s

data can be a lifesaver in some

situations.

Jim is often supported by

wife Lorraine and Lions Gayle

Abbott and Lorraine Freeman.

Their beat includes the busy

Tuggeranong Hyperdome and

many events hosted by

communities, schools and

colleges around Canberra.

In fact the Kambah Lions

Identikid project goes wherever

families with young children go.

Over the years the Lions

have heard many stories of

parents grateful for the

Identikid card. For example,

from the father who lost his

daughter at a large Melbourne

shopping centre.

The anxious dad was too

upset to give an accurate

description of the child to local

police. However he

remembered the Identikid

card he was carrying and

handed it to police who

quickly found his daughter in

a nearby toy store.

Or the Canberra mum who

needed the card when she

discovered her two-year-old

son missing from his stroller.

Using the card, police

found the toddler. A well-

intentioned but

absentminded neighbour had

taken the child for a stroll to

the shops without telling his

mother.

Since then mum has

arranged for all of her seven

children to receive Lions cards

regularly over the years.

So what is the future for the

Identikid project in this era of

instant connectivity, mobile

phones and digital cameras?

Lion Jim believes the need

remains and says “we will

continue with this service as

long as the mums and dads in

the Valley value it."

– Bob Crawshaw

Keeping tabs on our kidsLions (from left) JimNeave, Gayle Abbottand Lorraine Freemancheck the Indentikidsoftware, while (belowleft) Gayle snapsAiden, 6, for hisIdentikid card.


22 Lion

Exhausted, wet, lugging heavy loads, Dr AliceLee and her team of doctors and nurses trekthrough the Papua New Guinea jungle inpursuit of a silent killer.

Hepatitis B afflicts 350 million people around theworld, a third of them in Australia’s neighbourhood:the Western-Pacific and South-East Asia. The viruscan bring on liver cancer or cirrhosis, and kills anestimated one million people each year.

“It’s the number one cause of liver cancerglobally,” says Dr Lee, a Sydney-based clinician,Associate Professor, and committee member of theSydney Special Olympics Inner- West Lions Club.

She leads a new organisation called Hepatitis BFree, which, with the ongoing help of her Lions cluband the Lugarno Lions, plans to deliver thousandsof free vaccinations to remote villages all over PNG.

The Pacific nation has a well-developed healthand vaccination program, Lee says. “But thecoverage rate of the vaccines, particularly to PNG’sremote communities, is very low.”

Many of the villages and hamlets where HepatitisB flourishes are simply too difficult or expensive forthe government’s vaccination programs to reach. “Itseemed like a very simple thing to fix,” says Lee.

Her ‘simple’ solution? She gathers a band ofdoctors and nurses – “gutsy women, full ofadventure, spirit and heart”– and they deliver the

vaccine themselves.The first seeds of

Hepatitis B Free wereplanted when a PNGteenager namedKerry arrived at DrLee’s clinic,diagnosed with thedreaded disease.

Owing to hisyouth, he was notshowing symptoms.But that was no guarantee he was healthy. “It’scalled the silent killer because most people don’trealise they have it until it’s seriously advanced,”says Lee.

Her patient was from a village called Itokama, aplace so remote that even the mighty Google Mapsconcedes: “We cannot calculate directions between(PNG’s capital) Port Moresby and Itokama.” But inJuly 2012, Lee and her team found a way.

“It was an area you could only access by lightaircraft, and then on foot through the jungles,” sherecalls. “The community consisted of a series ofhamlets, connected by pathways through the jungle,which were really nothing more than dirt tracks.

“And there was no water, electricity, or any formof sewerage. So we ended up roughing it for a

week,” she says.Over seven gruelling days they managed to

vaccinate 3,000 people and, Lee hopes, eradicateHepatitis B from the village.

They returned from PNG believing “that this issomething we could build an organisation around,”she says.

“We were quite committed that this should be aninternational charity organisation, allowing us todeliver cheap vaccines to other areas where there isvery limited access to health services.”

Despite the arduous journey and difficultconditions, Lee and her team have returned severaltimes, laying down plans to vaccinate thousandsmore people. “It’s been a wonderful, spiritual, eye-opening experience,” she says.

Battling a silent killerAussie Lions aid a Sydneydoctor’s fight to wipe out deadly hepatitis B in the remotevillages of Papua New Guinea. Story by Elvio Munzone

JUNGLE VIGIL: With athird of the world’s350 million HepatitisB sufferers inAustralia’sneighbourhood, DrAlice Lee, with Lionshelp, has taken thefight into the junglesof Papua NewGuinea.

ABOVE: Dr Leevaccinates a villageragainst the disease,while (left and aboveright), a colleague, DrLiz Walsh, giveshealth checks.



The Gen Y way

Members of the Central Queensland (CQ) Leos Club mightbe scattered across the Rockhampton region, theCapricorn Coast and the surrounding rural communitiesbut this didn’t stop them coming together in their fightagainst youth suicide.

Earlier this year they highlighted the problem with theirproject Step Out 2013, which included a walk over the FitzroyRiver and the release of red balloons to represent those lost tosuicide.

The event then continued with live entertainment, food andinspirational speakers. “We also had Tommy Franklin, the ByronBay dancer, perform for us which was divine,” said clubsecretary Tiana Spence.

“Later we had the opportunity to hand out our ‘7 warningsigns of suicide’ cards and also received a generous amount ofdonations to continue our project in distributing these wheneverwe can.”

This is the first year of the event, which is connected with theBeyond Blue organisation, and it’s expected to become a regularfeature of the local Leos’ calendar.

Said Lion Tim Hannay, the zone 11 chairman: “Leos bring anew perspective to community events that are “outside the box”for most of us Lions. Their enthusiasm and creative thinking isan “eye-opener.”

It’s claimed that about one in four Australians aged 16–24experience a mental health condition. Over 80 per cent of malesand nearly 70 per cent of females with these conditions aged16-24 years do not use any services or get the professional helpthey need. Often, the symptoms aren’t recognised or they aresimply passed off as ‘just part of growing up’.

If you would like to support next year’s event or want moreinformation on the club’s warning sign cards, [email protected].

HOW YOU CAN HELPIf any clubs wish to know moreabout Hepatitis B Free, they’reencouraged to contact thepresident of Sydney SpecialOlympics Inner-West Lions Club,Tony Moore, on 0411 546 308.Or PDG Elvio Munzone, PresidentLugarno Lions Club, on0418 651 549.

“There is no question of the physicaldiscomforts we endure. But it's irrelevantcompared to the constant and permanentdiscomforts that these people and thesecommunities have.

“So any little difference we can make,by far exceeds any of the minordiscomforts that any of us have for a veryshort time in our lives.”

Granted enough funding, they hope tomake four trips in the next year. “There’sso much need in PNG,” she says. “And aspeople become aware of our activities,there are more requests for our services.

“We keep on saying, ‘Yes’, but ourfunding is very limited, as we’re a bunchof doctors and nurses with no financialbackup, and this is being done in our owntime and almost all at our own expense.”

It’s early days for Hepatitis B Free, butLee and her team are full of energy andhigh hopes. “I think we can vaccinatehundreds and thousands of patients whowould never otherwise see a Hepatitis B

vaccine,” she says. The organisation alsohopes to provide vaccinations for measles,tetanus, and a host of other deadlychildhood infections.

Meanwhile, the boy who started it all,Kerry, has returned to Itokama. “He’sremained well,” Lee says. “He wants to bea doctor, and build a hospital in thevillage.”

Lions Clubs of Lugarno and SydneySpecial Olympics Inner West donated$5000 towards project HepB Free.

LEFT: Villagerscome together forone of Dr AliceLee’s vaccinationvisits. If she has herway, Hepatitis B willbe wiped out fromPapua New Guinea.

Youth suicide prevention

23


24 Lion

Loads of rural fun down on PG Stan’s farm

Dingley on the run

AROUND THE NATION

RUNAWAY APPEAL: In two days of fundraising Queensland’s Runaway Bay Lions collected more than

$3,500 in association with the Runaway Bay Shopping Village to support the NSW Bushfire Appeal. Celebrating

(left to right) are Lion Bruce Ede, Kathryn Lewis (Runaway Bay Shopping Village) and Lions Peter Kidston,

Jeannie Ward and Graham Wythes.

There was excitement aplentywhen a bus load of youngEritrean children and theirmothers visited DG Stan Falloonand his family’s Taranaki Farmout of Melbourne.

“These kids were wide eyed andbursting with enthusiasm as theymingled with the chickens,delighted at the young ducklingsand patted the inquisitive cows,”reported Stan.

“They and their families live inhigh-rise apartments located inFlemington and most of them havenever had the opportunity to visitcountry areas, let alone a farm inAustralia.

“Our son Ben said it was aprivilege for him to show them around and to seethem enjoying themselves – and we know they’llnever forget the experience.”

Stan and his family were helped in the visit by

volunteer Victorian police officers from MooneePonds Community Policing that has a closeassociation with Stan’s Doutta Galla club.

The club has a number of on-going projects withthe Victoria Police, including the well known Victoria

Police Kokoda Project, theLions Club of Doutta GallaDrum Circle Project and theannual All Nations Picnic.

Stan suggests theremight be other clubs in V1-4 able to host similarevents to give thesefamilies the opportunity tomeet your club membersand enjoy local communityhospitality.

“We live in a veryprivileged countrycompared to the war-ravaged country these folk

came from and this sort of activitymakes great strides in theunderstanding and integration of

migrant families and our own communities,” hesaid.

“Give it a go to welcome them to your area andattractions.”

Somewhere under all these excited farm visitors is a tractor. The group was visitingDG Stan Falloon’s country property to gain a taste of Australian rural life.

Melbourne’s Dingley Village Branch Club hasagain pulled off a major coup with anothersuccessful Dingley Dozen Fun Run.

There were 360 registrations and despite a wetstart the sun was shining before entrants reachedthe finish.

Six clubs combine to marshal the event, withproceeds going to various good causes.



Lionsville welcomes IP Barry

N3 shows just howit’s done

In keeping with PastInternational PresidentWayne Madden’s theme ofreading and supportinglocal reading programs,Brisbane’s Pinelands IncLions donated $1000 tolocal Runcorn State Schoolto purchase library books.

In addition, two membersvolunteer weekly to read at theschool for its Rocket ReadingProgram.

RIGHT: Prep Teacher MrBeardman, or Mr B as thechildren call him, reads fromone of the book’s provided bythe donation.

There were dual celebrations at the N3annual convention.

Not only was it the 50th N3 convention, it wasannounced that the district had a gain inmembership of more than 82, the largest in MD201.

The achievement was announced to an excitedcrowd by 2012-13 District Governor Ron Way.

Six other districts had membership gains in2012-13, with N1, C1, N5, Q2, V3 & V6 havingcombined gains of more than 83.

While N3 lost 169 members over the year, itgained 251.

Three new Lions clubs were formed along witha Lioness Lions branch club (5 Lions), a branchLions club (12 Lions) and a Leo club. This growthcame from teams implementing the District’smembership goals and plans. Organising threesuccessful “Family & Women in Lions” symposia

was also an important initiative.For his efforts in leading the gain over the year,

PCC Tony Benbow presented an InternationalPresident’s Leadership Medal (pictured above) toIPDG Ron Way from Past International PresidentWayne Madden.

International President Barry Palmer has been here, there and practically everywhere aroundthe country in recent months.

Included in his whirlwind schedule of visits was the new Lionsville Essendon Terrace development,masterminded by the Lions Club of Essendon.

Barry was warmly welcomed by Lionsville’s board, various dignitaries and state politicians. The development, the latest in Lionsville’s long history, includes 36 apartments for the over-55s.At a Parliament House cocktail party later that evening, IP Barry made particular mention of Lionsville,

noting that nearly 50 years after the project commenced it is now being rebuilt.It shows what Lions can achieve when they Follow Their Dream.

Doing it by the book at Runcorn State

It was all smiles when happy conventioneersgathered for V1-4’s convention held in Melton.


October - November 2013 27

Program Position Term Expiry Position Description

Youth of the Year Qld State Coordinator 30/06/2017

Responsible for promoting the Youth of the Year and Committee objectives within the designated State.

Youth of the Year Tas. State Coordinator 30/06/2017

Youth of the Year Vic State Coordinator 30/06/2017

Youth of the Year WA State Coordinator 30/06/2015

Leadership Committee

MD 201 Global Leadership Team Member (2 positions) 1/07/2017 Responsible to the MD201 GLT Coordinator for the activities of the Committee which has special emphasis on the Leadership development of members.

Membership CommitteeMD 201 Global MembershipTeam Member (2 positions) 1/07/2017

This committee has special emphasis on the development of members, the establishment of new clubs, club membership growth and membership maintenance

Program Position Term Ends Appointee

AdministrationLions National Honours Advisory Body Chairperson 30/01/2014 PDG Doug Omond

Lions National Honours Advisory Body Member 30/01/2014 Noel Smith

Lions National Honours Advisory Body Member 30/01/2014 PID Bob Coulthard

Insurance Committee Member 31/01/2017 PDG Peter Lamb

Marketing Lions Christmas Cake Committee Chairperson 30/06/2016 PDG Kaye Smith

Lions Christmas Cake Committee "V" District Coordinator 30/06/2016 PDG Lou Scholten

Youth & Community ProjectsALCMF "Q" District Trustee 31/01/2017 Lyn Pysden

ALCMF V2, V3 Trustee 31/01/2017 Trevor Hirth

Leo Committee "C" District Coordinator 31/01/2017 Tony Jimmison

Leo Committee "Q" District Coordinator 31/01/2017 Toni Lanphier

Youth Exchange Committee Program Chairperson 31/04/2017 Helen Dalgleish

Youth of the Year "C" District Coordinator 30/06/2015 PDG Ron Pascoe

Committee Appointments At its meeting in October 2013, the Council of Governors considered nominations received and made the following appointments


Lion28

Positive feedback from Districts on membership issuesI would like to share some positive thoughtsand comments from around our MD relativeto membership growth and maintenance.

I have edited and listed below some extractsfrom feedback received from the GM Teams thatcould well be adopted and taken up by ClubMembership Teams.

The Club Excellence Program – feedback1. Is one that provides the opportunity for clubs toevaluate themselves and then to create a morepositive club experience for members.2. If CEP is taken on by clubs it will stop a lot ofissues that led to resignations and we arepromoting this concept to clubs.3. Last year we lost two clubs. In spite of that wehad a net increase in membership due to acombination of CEP, follow-up information nightsand other activities.4. We have a successful history of running CEP inour District. 5. I find this program to be the best to come fromInternational in all my years as a Lion.6. Club Care is on the agenda all the time; I have ateam assisting clubs that have been in danger ofclosing. This team has now been successful inreinvigorating clubs and having them becomeactive again.

“Membership Satisfaction Guide” and“Just Ask” 1. Just Ask! Although the concept is simple – “justask community members to join” – it’s importantto ensure your club is ready and able to invite andwelcome new members.2. This year a member of the GMT teamundertakes to liaise with the new Lions who areinducted into our District and also with theirsponsors. This person also provides someelementary resources about Lions clubs, Districtand Lions Clubs International.3. Sharing good news: three 19-year-old men wereinducted this past week and what an experience tobe there and see their passion for ourorganisation. 4. The standard of documentation and guides andsupporting information available from LCI isexcellent and continues to be maintained andimproved.

Internet based enquiries1. Member conversion from internet inquiries hasbeen excellent and we hope to improve on a 50%conversion rate over the year. 2. I passionately believe enthusiasm is infectiousand I like people to see me as being positive aboutmembership. Many if not most of the internetinquiries I am receiving of late come from young,well-educated and employed prospects. I ring eachone and we have a laugh together and I like to

leave them eagerly anticipating contact from theirnew club.3. I performed the changeover this year of oneclub newly formed, the new president being one ofmy internet bases enquiries whose earlierinduction I was a guest at.4. I tell people up front there is a membership feeas there must be no surprises, but I don’t mentionan exact cost because each club has the ability toset their own. I also explain that to the prospect.5. I have set my own personal membership goalover and above that which I have set as GMTCoordinator and that is to sponsor at least one newmember this year myself

New Presidents bring newstrength to clubs(Information supplied by IPP Lion BrianSullivan. Written by IPDG Deyann McDonnell) Tamworth Lions Club is in its 58th year and hasjust installed its 58th new president. No recyclinghere! This is an amazing achievement. They have59 members at present and Tamworth is a citywith four Lions clubs and one Lioness club.Average attendance at meetings is 45 and allabsences are followed up. Loyalty, formality andrespect are always displayed.

When a member accepts nomination as thirdVice President he is in effect accepting nominationto be president in three years’ time. Similar to ViceGovernors? The club is managed through 18committees, six of them under the direction ofeach Vice President. This ensures that by the timea Vice President progresses to President, he has agood working knowledge of all club activities.Aspiring Presidents are expected to attendconventions and Incoming Officer Training.

Friendly, light hearted competition betweenpresidents is ongoing and can be witnessedthrough community projects achieved and athumourous changeover skits.

Key to membership growth? Youth Membership Conversion Officer Lion LouSedivy has put together a special membershippresentation for all districts and a copy of this hasbeen supplied to all district governors. Thepresentation is designed for use at Youth of theYear Finals, be they club, zone, region and/ordistrict YOTY finals.

This very brief presentation is designed to beused immediately after the judges have retired toconsider who will be winners and takes only fiveminutes. This is when there is usually a lull inproceedings and when it would be opportune topresent to people in the audience (friends andfamily of contestants) who are not Lions but havesome positive contact with a Lions club. Thepresentation is a Powerpoint one that gives anoverview of what Lions do collectively andincorporates the abbreviated version of the TwoHands presentation within it. The presenter wouldat its conclusion offer to speak to those that mightwish to know more about our organisation.

The presentation is able to be modified to suitlocal interest and, being a Powerpointpresentation, can have slides added to it or beamended. I commend the use of this presentationfor your Youth of the Year presentations and wouldalso ask that you consider how you might put it touse in other like situations that your club may beundertaking.

Bob Radford MD GMT Co-ordinator


yoursayLions’ letter

AUSTRALIAN LIONS FOUNDATIONS

OFFICIAL NOTICE

NOTICE to ALL CLUBS in “T” AND “W” DISTRICTS

Notice is given to all members of the Clubs of MD201 “C” and “V” Districts that nominations are called for a Trustee to represent the “C” District and for a Trustee to represent the “V” Districts on the Foundation.

An election to decide your District(s) Trustee will be held at the Australian Lions Foundations Annual General Meeting to be held in Tamworth, NSW in May 2014during the MD201 National Convention.

Nomination Forms and Information are available from:

Secretary Alan PretymanP.O.Box 2001

Lower Sandy Bay Tas 7005

Completed Nomination Forms must be lodged by mail with the Secretary no later than Friday 31st January 2014.

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.

Regional Leadership InstituteI was fortunate to attend the Lions Regional LeadershipInstitute held in Adelaide over three days.

I was surprised that the Lions attending were not stereotypical, in that they were not all middle-aged with 20 years ofLions service. In fact there was a broad cross section of Lions.There were those who had or were presently on a clubexecutive, but there were others with as little as five monthsLions service. Many had service of less than three years.Although entitled “Leadership Institute” the weekend was moreof a learning experience for attendees.

I am sure many present benefited immensely just learningabout the Lions structure and Lions generally. Knowledge is asthey say power; this knowledge about Lions will help participantsin being more effective Lions and Lions leaders.

I was surprised at the level of competence of the presenters.Although it took a little while to warm to them they did anexcellent job.

The inclusion of the trade display was a great addition to thetraining; in fact a little more time could have been devoted to it.

I feel somewhat rejuvenated having participated in theprogram and have a number of new friends and Lions contactsto share ideas with.

I would encourage Lions districts to encourage and supportmembers to attend these and similar training programmes.

Tom BraesPresident

Lions Club of Mareeba 201Q2

While growth in the number of Lions clubs being formed isalways an issue, much progress is being made in variousparts of Australia.

In Kuranda in Queensland, for instance, this happy grouppictured above assembled for the inaugural meeting in October ofthe new Bulwai Cultural Heritage Lions Club.

NEW CLUB


Lion, paediatrician and fundraiserDr Robert “Bob” McGregor hasbeen awarded Queensland’sSenior Australian of the Year 2014award.

A medical practitioner specialising

in child health, 68-year-old Bob has

made an outstanding contribution to

Queensland’s community.

Bob has devoted nearly four

decades to his role as consultant

paediatrician at Ipswich Hospital.

Many of his current patients are

the children or even grandchildren

of former patients.

Bob was the long-time chair of a

hospital fund which raised more than

$110,000 for medical equipment, child-

friendly nurses’ uniforms and toys for the

special care nursery. He has been

involved in community outreach

programs to prevent child abuse and has

presented many papers at medical

conferences.

He is equally dedicated to his

community, working in a number of

voluntary roles for local schools and

Lions clubs.

A keen cyclist, the Karana Downs

resident was the inspiration and driving

force behind the Heritage Bank Ipswich

100 Bike Ride fundraising event.

By 2013, the 14th annual Bike Ride

attracted nearly 1,000 riders and raised

$100,000 for the Ipswich Hospital

Foundation, local charities and Lions’

projects.

Lion nabs Senior Australian award

A proud Lion and a community campaigner, Dr BobMcGregor has been named Queensland’s SeniorAustralian of the Year 2014.


30Lion

LEOS ROARCongratulations to Margaret River Leo Club in W2 on their recentformation as the newest Leo club in Australia. It was great to seeMargaret River Leos attend the recent Lions District Convention andparticipate in the flag ceremony and Leo Forum.

Congratulations also to our amazing 2013 MD201 Leo of the Year, MeganHackwood, on her ongoing efforts to advance the Leo movement throughoutAustralia. Megan is a great ambassador for Leos worldwide and since beingnamed Leo of the Year has addressed Incoming Lions Club Officer Training inQ3, addressed Q1 District changeover, attended MD201 Leo committeemeeting, been President of Queensland State Leo Council and on the organisingcommittee for 2014 Queensland State Leo Conference. She has also beeninterviewed by Rebecca Livingstone on ABC Radio Brisbane to promote Leos,done two newspaper Interviews, created a Leo of the Year Facebook page, donean interview with Tune In Not Out (TINO) for ALDAF and recently addressed andpromoted Leos at Lions District Conventions in Q3, N2, W2, N4 and V2 andstudents at Ulladulla High School, NSW.

Since winning the 2013 MD201 Leo of the Year Quest, Megan hasdeveloped into an excellent presenter on the Leo program and gains moreconfidence each time she speaks.

It is the International and MD201 Leo of the Year Quest that provides Leoslike Megan with the opportunity to develop essential skills that last a lifetime.

Entries for the 2014 MD201 Leo of the Year Quest are now open andcandidates will be Judged on the following criteria:• IMPACT DURING INTERVIEW – 10 POINTS• COMMUNITY SERVICE INVOLVEMENT – 20 POINTS• LEADERSHIP – 20 POINTS• KNOWLEDGE OF LEOS AND LIONS – 15 POINTS• APPRECIATION OF AUSTRALIAN AND WORLD AFFAIRS – 15 POINTS•PUBLIC SPEAKING (5-MINUTE PREPARED SPEECH) – 20 POINTS

– TOTAL – 100 POINTSFull details and entry form are available on the MD201 Leo website at

www.lionsclubs.org.au/leosI would like to thank all members of the Lions family in MD201 for their

ongoing support of the Leo movement in Australia and I am pleased to advisethat with this support and growth of new Leo clubs in the 2012-13 Lions year,MD201 has again received a Leo Club Extension Award from Lions ClubsInternational.

In the 2013/14 Lions Year, our International President Barry Palmer hasadvised that LEOs will be his main youth project during his term of office andreminds us to: “Let them be young and experience volunteering in their ownterms. Their Leo experience will go a long way in determining whether at somepoint in the future they will follow their dreams and continue their volunteerexperience as Lions. Their service is unique and inspiring, embrace it, andcontinue accepting them as members of the Lions family.”

Leos are the PRESENT and FUTURE of LIONS!For our organization to grow, we must see Leos as future Lions and

encourage them to join our great organisation through the Leo to Lion program.So if your club is considering sponsoring a Leo club, stop considering – do it!Full details on the Leo club program are available on the MD201 Leo website

at www.lionsclubs.org.au/leos. Say G’day to a Leo Today – you won’t be disappointed!May all members of the Lions family in MD201 have a wonderful Christmas

and enjoy good health and continued success in 2014!

Martin PeeblesMD201 Leo & Youth Outreach Committee

YOUTH OF THE YEARMany clubs are now well advanced by having conducted their clubfinals or are in the process of planning them for early February.

If your club has not determined that it will participate, there is still time.• Obtain entrants from schools as soon as the school year resumes.• Organise supplies of merchandise if needed.• Prepare for your club final. (Refer to the manual;http://lionsclubs.org.au/activities/youth/yoty/yoty-resources/.)• Contact your District Chairperson to determine deadlines for judging.• Organise judges, including an NAB employee, if possible. There should be atleast one male and one female member of the panel. Previous entrants arevery suitable judges. (A staff member from a contestant’s school represents aconflict-of-interest.)• Organise a venue.• Have a program printed for all in attendance.• Invite parents, school staff and community leaders.• Make it a first class event to showcase your club and thus provide free,positive PR for Lions in general.• Submit the Winner Advisory Form to your Zone or District Chairperson.

We are obligated, both to our sponsor, NAB, as well as to MD to compiledata and statistics. It is imperative that your Winner Advisory Forms areaccurate and returned to your District Chair, with all of the statistical data,including the NAB judge’s details.

Together with MD Youth Membership Conversion Officer, Lou Sedivy, wealso request that you provide the names and contact details of yourcontestants. To that end, I recently distributed to District Chairs a feedbackform, “YOTY Participant Information Request CLUB”, a Word document. Pleasecomplete it as soon as your club final has concluded and submit it to yourDistrict Chair.

Youth of the Year participants are a potential source of Leos and Lions – asare their parents.

Preparations are well underway for the 2012-13 state finalists’ trip to theInternational Youth Camp at Rotorua, which commences on 27th December. Atits conclusion, Jesse, Molly, Laura, Julian, Katerina and Tim will spend six daysas guests of the Lions Club of Pambula-Merimbula where they will be involvedin activities in and around these communities, as well as Bombala, Molly’shometown, and a trek to Mt Kosciuszko.

2010-2011 National Winner, Gillian Mahony (L C Claremont-Nedlands),recently travelled to London (her winner’s prize) to participate in a summerschool at the London School of Economics. The University of Western Australiarecognises the studies that she successfully undertook.

2011-12 Public Speaking Winner, Molly McInerney (L C ToowoombaWilsonton) will be taking her prize of the trip to the International Youth Camp atRotorua with 2012-13’s state winners.

A former National Public Speaking winner, Nathan Barnden, recently tooktime out from his university studies to fight fires in the Blue Mountains, withthe strike team from his hometown of Bega. Nathan, whoattended the International YouthCamp at Rotorua, last year as hispublic speaking prize, will returnto Rotorua – but this time as astaff member. That’s a greatcredit to Nathan and hisleadership talents.

We welcome IPDG Ron Pascoeto the National Committee. Ronwill represent and coordinate theQuest in the “C” Districts forthree years, until June 2016.

Brian Williams, ChairmanYouth of the Year

The Lions Clubs of Booragoon and Leeming,W2, recently conducted their joint final.Pictured from left to right are contestants;Carryn Edmonstone, Amber Withers, EllaWinterbottom and Mark Pyzik.


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