From the DG's Desk
District Governor's June Message
Hi Fellow Lions,
It’s hard to believe it’s been twelve months since I sat down to write my first DG’s message, yet here I am writing my final column.
Barbara and I have now completed our club visits, our last two were Queenscliff/Point Lonsdale and a combined Anglesea Lions and Lioness club. Both of these clubs are small in numbers but do a tremendous amount of service work in their communities. I had the pleasure of presenting an Alan J Holding award to Rotarian Alan Joyce for his extensive voluntary service. Lions and Rotary frequently work together sharing in various projects within their community. I also had the greatest pleasure of presenting Lion Fred Williams with a Life Membership. Fred has contributed a life time of service to Lions and his community, with special interest in anything that aided or enhanced the lives of young people. We finished off our year with a most enjoyable visit to Anglesea to share in the fun and friendship of their 42nd charter anniversary.
Our next commitment was to attend the final Council meeting followed by the Multi-district Convention in Mildura. The combined clubs did a great job as hosts with the co-operation and support of the Mildura City Council and many local businesses who got on board with sponsorship and many discount offers to conventioneers over the weekend. There were ample display booths to visit and purchase and sample the various array of Lions paraphernalia. Tours were available for partners not involved with the convention business sessions.
The business sessions went smoothly as there weren’t many controversial Notices of Motion. Our district had three to present, two were housekeeping subjects which were lost, but we were successful in having the ‘Children’s Charity Network’ project adopted as a Category B National project. Again congratulations to District Chairman Rob Eyton and PDG Mary Harlow for their presentation on the day and the Lara Lions club for sponsorship and management of this worthwhile project.
The LEO of the Year and The Youth of the Year finalists were something to witness, these young people were truly impressive in their public speaking skills and how they presented themselves. They do us really proud and are definitely future leaders.
We were treated to a very moving remembrance ceremony on the Sunday morning, when each District Governor and partner was given a small number of fingerlings to release into the mighty Murray River as a symbol of continuing life to honour those Lions who had passed on during the year.
It was a very humble but proud moment for Barbara and I to be elected as your National Council Chairman Elect and partner for the 2010-11 Lions year. The expressions of support and well wishes on the night and indeed since have been overwhelming and uplifting. Our immediate challenge was to get to know our incoming District Governors and partners, putting names to faces etc. I survived chairing my shadow Council meeting the day after the Convention, and believe we have a great group of dedicated Governors who will work to maintain and strengthen the operation of this great organisation. Our year will commence in earnest at the International Convention in Sydney when the DGE’s are installed as Governors. I look forward to serving with them over the next twelve months.
Finally can I say to the members of each and every one of the clubs a very sincere and heartfelt thanks for the support, co-operation and warm welcome extended to Barbara and me during our visits, it has been a year full of fun and fellowship and hopefully lasting friendships. It has been a highlight of my years in Australia (even with the Irish jokes!) and we shall cherish it. To the members of my Cabinet thank you for your diligence and the smooth operation of district matters. You made my year in office an enjoyable experience.
To my home club Leopold thank you for your support, friendship and encouragement and allowing me the privilege to represent you and this District over the past year and indeed in my new role as your Council Chairman for the next Lions year.
From Mildura Convention
Just returned from a very enjoyable MD Convention at Mildura where they turned on some fine weather and not to mention the friendly locusts for us. Met up with some old friends and made a few new ones. The Council of Governors meetings went smoothly as did the Convention business sessions. The Youth of the Year and LEO of the year finalists equipped themselves admirably, these young people are truly remarkable.
Once again our V2 district was well represented at the convention. We had three Notices of Motion presented during the business session, one was vigorously debated but was lost and another was withdrawn but, the big news was the Children's Charity Network project was accepted as a 'Category B' National project. This a great achievement. Congratulations to Chairman Rob Eyton and PDG Mary for their presentation and to Rob's well presented information booth which attracted a lot of attention, and of course the Lions Club of Lara for the initial drive of this project.
One of the more poignant moments of the Convention was the Remembrance Ceremony. This was conducted by PDG Bob Korotkoff at 08:00 on Sunday near the the Number 11 lock on the banks of the mighty Murray river.
To commemorate the lives of those Lions who have passed on each DG and Partner was given a number of fingerling fish to release into the river, as a symbol of new birth and hope, it was a moving moment for Barbara and I and indeed all the DG's as we saw the fish join the waters of this great river. A total of 8,000 fish were released that morning commemorating the lives of the 384 Lions lost from our ranks during the past year.
The highlight of this convention for myself and Barbara was my election to the office of Council Chairman for the ensuing year. I feel very humble yet privileged to have been chosen to carry out this prestigious role on your behalf and I will, with Barbara's support represent our great association to the best of my ability.
Bob Gilchrist
Council Chairman Elect.
‘B 2’s OBS’
I must begin by saying this has been the shortest 12 months of my life! I just cannot believe I am writing my last ‘OBS’. ’Thank you’ just seems totally inadequate but what else can I say but thank you for a most amazing journey. It has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding years of my life. We have met so many wonderful people who have taken pride in showing us their special projects within their communities and have showered us with hospitality, gifts and most of all their friendship. V2 just has to be the best district in Australia! Thank you also to the members of our home club, Leopold for your wonderful support. Just simple things like taking our rubbish bins in and collecting the mail, offering to accompany Bob if I was unwell, none of these have gone unnoticed and have been very much appreciated.
(I can’t believe we have survived the year with only one speeding fine! Although I am sure Wayne and Bill would say Bob has been very lucky!)
Of course our year has not quite finished as we still have a Cabinet Meeting in Colac in June. The partners’ tour includes a chocolate place, wine and cheese (sorry cabinet members!) but remember we must be ready to leave at 09:30 to ensure we are back in time for lunch. Here I would like to thank the host clubs who have helped me arrange the partners’ tours this year and the partners who have supported them. I have certainly enjoyed these social outings and I hope you have too. We also have the District Changeover on 17 Jul 10 at Buckley’s which will be a fun night with the bare minimum of speeches and formalities. I hope to catch up with many of you at both these events.
Finally Bob and I wish Chris and Max all the very best for their year. I know it will be a wonderful experience for them both because you will show them the same V2 hospitality you have shown us.
As always I must finish with a quote and this one I feel is most appropriate. We were approaching a small country town on our travels in the Western District (can’t remember the name!) and there was a sign which said, ‘Population 295. Drive carefully, everybody’s precious!’ YOU ARE ALL PRECIOUS! DRIVE CAREFULLY!
Barbara Gilchrist.