District Governor's Message
Hello to all our Lions Friends
Barbara and I hope you had a Happy and enjoyable Christmas with your families. We have had a very welcome 10 days break from official DG duties with a bit of time to catch up with home maintenance etc., and Christmas shopping (Barbara did most of the shopping bit). It was good to get together with our extended families to share in some Christmas cheer and gift giving, although I think I may have over indulged in the Christmas pudding bit.
We would just like to wish you and your families a very Happy and Safe 2010 and we look forward to meeting up with many more of you during the remainder of our term in office.
All the Best
DG Bob and LL Barbara
Lions Club of Portarlington/Drysdale
Children's Charity Network
Geelong author, Margaret Clark (pictured left), conducted the first of four workshops for aspiring young writers at Portarlington Primary School under the literacy programme conducted by the Children’s Charity Network. Similar sessions funded by a $1,500 Club donation, followed at St Leonards, Drysdale and Clifton Springs Primary Schools.
Margaret Clark has written under the names M. D. Clark, Margaret Clark and Lee Striker. With more than 100 books about relationships, friendships and social issues under the guise of humor, her titles have become very popular with young readers. Her first book Pugwall was published in 1978 and subsequently was made into a TV series. Margaret Clark has a doctorate in Education and she has worked as a teacher, lecturer and at the Geelong Centre for Alcohol and Drug Dependency. She travels widely, speaking about her writing.
Lions Club of Portarlington/Drysdale
Ban the Bulb
Our reward for all the hard work put into the ‘Ban the Bulb’ project will come with the presentation of a cheque from the Bendigo Bank just prior to our business meeting on 15 December. Representatives of the Bendigo Bank and the facilitator, Low Energy Supplies and Services (LESS) will be in attendance to make the presentation.
Everyone who contributed to this major project deserves a pat on the back; with special recognition of our co-ordinators, Lions Lynden and Terry (see President’s Report). Don’t forget, the presentation starts at 17:30 at the Den, followed by the business meeting at 19:30.
Lions Club of Portarlington/Drysdale
Football Gate
Members’ persistence in manning the gate at Portarlington FC home matches in all weathers has paid off in the form of a cheque for local Lions activities. Outgoing President, Richard Underwood, when presenting the cheque at the 11 November meeting, praised participating Lions for their good-natured, but diligent approach to gathering admittance fees and ‘encouraging’ fans to buy raffle tickets.
Our work had significantly improved the Demons’ take on home match days and we are likely to be invited to take on the task again for the 2010 season. Richard also commended the wider work of the Lions Club in supporting and bringing together the local community. Phil Stephens has taken over as Demons President.
Lions Club of Geelong Breakfast
Organised by
Cotton On Foundation Run Geelong
All proceeds from this event will go towards the Geelong Hospital Childen's Ward redevelopment. So far $78,000 has been raised, but this does not include donations from Lions Clubs.
TEAM1
(Paul Austin, Maureen Foulkes & Olympian Lee Troop)
TEAM2
(Maureen Foulkes, Judy McDonald & Pete Johnston)
Lions Club of Lara (Local) International Peace Poster Competition
Each year since 1988 Lions Clubs around the world proudly sponsor the Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups, encouraging young people ages 11-13 to artistically express their visions of peace.
(Overall winner of the Lions Club of Lara International Peace Poster competition is Chelsea Rowe pictured here with Jeff Cahn, President Lions Club of Lara, Lyn Boyle, Principal Lara Secondary College and Damien Foster, Manager Lara District Community Bank (who sponsored the event) at the presentation award on Tuesday morning. Many thanks to the Lara District Community Bank for making this localised event possible.)
Participants use a variety of mediums including charcoal, crayon, pencil and paint to express a new theme developed each year to spark their imagination. The works created are unique and express the young artist's life experience and culture.
(Winners of the School Sections of the International Peace Poster Competition who were awrded $50.00 book vouchers together with their Certificates of Commendation.
Each year consists of an original theme incorporating peace. Twenty four international finalists are selected to represent the work of more than 350,000 young participants from around 75 countries worldwide. Since 1988 more than 3.6 million young people have participated.
‘Power of Peace’ is this year’s theme and during the contest students are encouraged to visually depict their interpretation of this theme.
Each poster is judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme.
Lions Club of Geelong Breakfast
Official Opening of First Aid Room at Bancoora Surf Lifesaving Club
A plaque was unveiled thanking our Club for the work and materials supplied along with our donation.
(Bancoora Surf Lifesaving Club members)
Lions Clubs of Lara & Little River
January Dinner Meeting
Annual Lawn Bowls Challenge Lara v Little River
Little River finally break the Drought!
Lions Club of Lara President Jeff Cahn presenting the Perpetual Trophy to Lions Club of Little River President Nicole Green at the conclusion of the Annual Lara v Little River Lawn Bowls & BBQ Challenge.)
The Lions Club of Little River has finally wrested the Perpetual Challenge Trophy from the Lions Club of Lara in an exciting and popular win on Monday night at the conclusion of the 5th Annual Lawn Bowls/BBQ challenge between the two Clubs.
The scoreline is now: Lions Club of Lara 4 v 1 Lions Club of Little River
Little River won the match 18-11 in very blustery conditions but thankfully, the rain held off and there was some sunshine. After the match, a hearty BBQ was held and there was plenty of fellowship and fun.
(Some of the aftermatch fellowship during the BBQ where Lions, families and friends were able to catchup with each other celebrating the New Year and the Little River victory!)
Lions Club of Geelong Breakfast
Christmas Dinner Meeting
Although we are a small club, members with wives, partners, family and special guests were invited to attend our annual Christmas Breakup with a Dinner at the Packing Shed in Moolap.
An email was sent out to encourage all to get in the Christmas Spirit and wear something sparkly!! Lara Lions Club Members, Jeff and Dennis arrived very early so were given a task of assisting Maureen and Chris with decorations. After much huffing and puffing all the Red and Green Balloons with matching twirly ribbon were assembled. Candles and Baubles as well as small Christmas trees adorned both tables. Chocolate Santas were placed at each seat for a little after dinner treat.
The evening commenced with our President Jan Cadwell welcoming everyone and introducing our guests; Lions Club of Lara Members (President Jeff Cahn and Dennis Grant). Jim McCracken and Kelly were delayed but were introduced to all later.
After everyone had eaten the main course a little game of Pass the Parcel took place with all prizes being Lions related. As we all were now relaxed and waiting for our sweets to arrive it was time for a game. Chris organised Celebrity Heads with participants wearing Rheindeer Ears and trying to work out who they were. This was the perfect way to get everyone involved and it was full of fun and surprises.
Coffee Tea and chocolates were served and the evening was coming to a close. A delightful, fun night was had by all.
Lions Club of Geelong Breakfast
REBECCA HARDING 20, who has just completed her Final Year of Nursing at Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, has a genetic mutation that makes her 60 per cent more likely to develop cancer.
The estimated cost of treatment will be about $20,000 with each cycle costing $3,000.00.
Rebecca’s friends have rallied around to raise funds and with the support of the Geelong Advertiser running a story about Rebecca, organised several functions including 'Head-Shaving Party', 'Garage Sale' and a Dinner for over 200 people which included a 'Silent Auction' at Buckley’s Entertainment Centre with local businesses donating items.
The Lions Club Of Geelong Breakfast representative Maureen Foulkes caught up with Rebecca at the 'Silent Auction' and was moved by this bright bubbly girl who is trying to cope with this dreadful illness as well as finish her degree. Family members, friends and many collegues who attended this event, were moved by the strength and determination of Rebecca whilst undertaking her chemo treatment.
Much needed funds will be raised from these events which will ease the financial burden placed on someone so young, but also give her the hope knowing she has the love and support behind her, to tackle life’s daily challenges that arise.
A report on Rebecca’s progress will be given to members when they meet in the new year. A donation towards further treatment will be sent from the Geelong Breakfast Club.
Lions Club of Portarlington/Drysdale
Changing light bulbs pays off for Lions
How many Lions does it take to change nearly 4,000 light bulbs? Plenty – as the Lions Club of Portarlington/Drysdale found out recently.
This was the number of incandescent bulbs exchanged with new energy-efficient bulbs in homes on the Northern Bellarine and in Leopold under the Bendigo Bank’s Generation Green ‘Ban the Bulb’ campaign.
Club members exchanged (at no cost to householders) exactly 3,948 bulbs over October-November, raising $7,896.00, which will help fund local community projects.
This major effort contributed to the reduction under the scheme in the Geelong area of approximately 4,823 tonnes of carbon emissions – the equivalent of taking 1,140 cars off our roads for a year!
Club President, Geoff Webster, said "the bulb project was one of the largest ever tackled by members, who gave up their time to help local residents and improve the environment.
“It was great to get out into the community, meeting residents and making a big difference to the environment in such a practical way.
“We were paid $2.00 for every bulb changed and the funds raised will allow the Portarlington/Drysdale Lions Club to continue supporting the local community,” he said.
At a special meeting of the Club on Tuesday (15 Dec), Craig Taylor, Manager Drysdale Branch, Bendigo Bank, presented a cheque to the Club for $7,896.00 and thanked all participating Lions for making the campaign such a success.
Powering on! Portarlington/Drysdale Lions Club members (left to right) Lynden Haskett, Gary Doolan (Treasurer) and Terry Parsons proudly receive $7,896 towards Club funds from Craig Taylor (far right), Manager Drysdale Branch, Bendigo Bank at the conclusion of the local ‘Ban the Bulb’ campaign.
Children's Charity Network
Creating Chances for Children
See the first ever Lions Awards for Literacy and Art at the Young Australian Art & Writers' Awards