Community
18 August, 2023
Lions Club Notes
LIONS District 201V2 is one that is highly regarded at both national and international levels.
The district extends from the nearer western city suburbs through to the South Australian border, and as far north as Skipton, Hamilton, Horsham, Ararat, Casterton and Kaniva.
This district – which encompasses your local clubs – is well known for its continued involvement in far-reaching and community benefitting activities.
This includes health and welfare, youth and disaster response. And the district has been well-supported by your local Lions club which has been at the forefront in many innovative and successful activities.
This includes a trip by Macarthur Lion Andrew Duyvestyn who drove a stage coach from Macarthur to Melbourne. This coach was supported by Lions clubs along the way who raised many thousands of dollars to purchase vital equipment for The Royal Childrens Hospital.
The Port Fairy Club’s development of the instrument storage and transport of instruments (between storage and venues) at the annual folk festival has been applauded by both national and international musicians.
The club’s smoke alarm program (part of its on-going Lion Assist activity) which includes the annual check and battery replacement of up to 100 smoke alarms in the homes of elderly and infirm, was recognised at state CFA level. Warrnambool Lions Club’s active support of the Lions Eye Health program and eye sight education and testing in local schools has certainly extended its esteem.
The detection of many potential early eye sight problems in young children and the early treatment resulting has ensured that more severe problems and even blindness will not be theirs in later life.
All local clubs have also been recognised for their response to disaster situations – fire, flood tsunami and drought.
This not only involves raising and soliciting immediate support to and for the stricken areas and the people affected but also for their support during the recovery process.
This includes everything from clean-ups and restoring services to providing personal succour and assistance.
And then there are all those small occasions that are often thought to be some fundraising efforts by your local club, like the barbecues (sausage sizzle).
However, many of those barbecues are provided by Lions to assist other community organisations.
For example, Port Fairy recently ran barbecues for the sheep dog trials and little athletics meetings.
Macarthur is well known for its catering support to activities such as their annual Camp Draft event, Koroit Lions often man the football ground gate, not only for the football but for other local events, and is predominant in its gate keeping role at the Irish Festival.
And all has been achieved by volunteers who receive the greatest reward of all – satisfaction.
