Council
21 July, 2023
Roar
LOCAL Lions travelled to Macarthur last Monday night for the Macarthur District club’s changeover dinner.
The club also installed its 2023-24 leadership team and recognised 50 years of service to the local and wider communities.
Among the guests were District Lions Governor Les Cropley, fresh from his own installation as District Governor at the International Lions convention in Boston (USA) and cabinet secretary Delwyn Seebeck.
Lions from Merino Digby, Warrnambool, Penshurst, Hamilton, Dunkeld, Heywood, Koroit, Simpson and Port Fairy also attended.
A very special guest was Florance Hopkins, a Lions exchange sudent from New Zealand.
The 2023-24 Macarthur team installed were Christine Duyvestyn (president), Lesley Addinsall (secretary), John Holcombe (treasurer), membership Charlie Vella, Lion Tamer Helen Winnell, and tail twister/vice-president Andrew Duyvestyn. Installing Officer Jim Kent from Port Fairy – Belfast Lions Club said it was a pleasurer to be the installing officer as 17 years earlier, as a zone chairman, he had inducted Christine and Andrew into the club as new Lions.
In her president’s report Lion Christine provided a summary of the past year’s activities, including catering for six funerals, two camp drafts and one clearing sale as well as providing breakfast for the Murray to Moyne riders.
Their service activities included an afternoon tea for musical students, children’s cancer-related activities, and support to a local person whose home and most of his personal possessions were destroyed by fire.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation by Port Fairy Belfast Lion Keith Gibson of an Honorary Membership Certificate and club badge to Macarthur stalwart Lion Lesley Addisall, recognising her long friendship with and assistance to Port Fairy.
The Port Fairy musical duo of “Maka” McCue with his guitar and Keith Gibson, Irish Drum, also entertained with an impromptu sing song.
District Governor Les Cropley outlined the objectives of the International President and presented incoming Macarthur president with the International leaders’ personal pin (badge).
The evening was catered for by the local school group and serving and table service was very capably provided by primary students from that school.
The Macarthur club will celebrate its 50th anniversary of community service and fellowship in November.
