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Allowing kidsto be kids

Lions Clubs InternationalApril - May 2016

Australia / Papua New Guinea edition – $1

Lions humanitarianhay ride

Lions initiative spreads the joy

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Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropyAPRIL - MAY 2016 Volume 124 No. 3LION

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 Interna tional, 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 co ver date.MD201 Council of Governors: C1 Rob Royal,C2 Dave Thomas, N1 Peter W Mercer, N2 Sally ElizabethWilton, N3 David Heggart, N4 Anthony J (Tony) Smith,N5 Elvio Munzone, Q1 Peter Oliver, Q2 Kath Scully,Q3 Rodd Chignell, Q4 Les Crossman, T1 Annette Ogilvie, V1-4 Maureen Thorpe, V2 Wayne Oakes, V3 Ian Gration, V5 Ann Eldridge, V6 Stephen Kazenwadel, W1 Colin Stafford Heap, W2 Allan Cooper. Council Chairman: Phillip JohnsonDistribution 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] Editor-In-Chief - Scott DrumhellerManaging Editor - Dane La Jo ye, Lions Clubs International300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842 USAExecutive Officers: President Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada,Minokamo-shi, Gifu-ken, Japan; Immediate Past PresidentJoseph Preston, Dewey, Arizona, United States; First VicePresident Robert E. Corlew, Milton, Tennessee, UnitedStates; Second Vice President Naresh Aggarwal, Delhi,India. Contact the officers a t Lions Clubs International, 300W 22nd St., Oak Brook, Illinois, 60523-8842, USA.

Second Year: Svein Ǿystein Berntsen, Hetlevik, Norway;Jorge Andrés Bortolozzi, Coronda, Argentina; Eric R. Carter,Auckland, New Zealand; Charlie Chan, Singapore,Singapore; Jack Epperson, Nevada, United States; EdwardFarrington, New Hampshire, United States; Karla N. Harris,Wisconsin, United States; Robert S. Littlefield, Minnesota,United States; Ratnaswamy Murugan, Kerala, India;Yoshinori Nishikawa, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan; George Th.Papas, Limassol, Cyprus; Jouko Ruissalo, Helsinki, Finland;N. S. Sankar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; A. D. Don Shove,Washington, United States; Kembra L. Smith, Georgia,United States; Dr. Joong-Ho Son, Daejoon, Republic ofKorea; Linda L. Tincher, Indiana, United States.

Directors First year: Melvin K. Bray, New Jersey, UnitedStates; Pierre H. Chatel, Montpellier, France; Eun-SeoukChung, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; Gurcharan Singh Hora, Siliguri,India; Howard Hudson, California, United States; SanjayKhetan, Birganj, Nepal; Robert M. Libin, New York, UnitedStates; Richard Liebno, Maryland, United States; HelmutMarhauer, Hildesheim, Germany; Bill Phillipi, Kansas, UnitedStates; Lewis Quinn, Alaska, United States; Yoshiyuki Sato,Oita, Japan; Gabriele Sabatosanti Scarpelli, Genova, Italy;Jerome Thompson, Alabama, United States; Ramiro VelaVillarreal, Nuevo León, Mexico; Roderick “Rod” Wright, NewBrunswick, Canada; Katsuyuki Yasui, Hokkaido, Japan.

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

ContributionsContributions for the JUNE - JULY 2016 issue should be submitted by

May 1 to The Editor, Lion magazine, Tony Fawcett, Fawcett Media, 20 Millett Rd, Gisborne

South, Victoria 3437 or emailed to ton [email protected].

C O N T E N T S4 International President’s report6 Lions action8 Centenary pays off for kids11 Lions hay convoy rolls on12 Council Chairman’s report14 LCIF world projects

Page 8 - Celebration of the century

Page 16 - Lion across AustraliaPage 6 – This canine is top of class

Our c

over

COVER: Lions is soon tocelebrate its internationalcentenary and as apre-celebration one clubdecided to achieve acentury of its own, with aholiday for more than 100kids. See the heart-warmingstory on page 8.

16 John’s long walk18 Register for Echuca22 Candidates for International President24 Lions out and about26 Committee vacancies29 LCIF Annual Report


4 Lion

By DrJitsuhiroYamada,Lions ClubsInternationalPresident

The ‘Foundation’ of ourgreatest service

Our ROAR should crossborders

English is considered one of the most difficultlanguages to learn. Why? Sometimes the wordsdon’t make sense. There is no ham in hamburger.Nor is there an apple or a pine in a pineapple. I’mbeing partly facetious, but it is true that man ywords are problematic. Non-English speakersstruggle with the difference between homeworkand housework, moral and morale, and collageand college.

But one word that makes a lot of sense, especiallyas used by Lions, is ‘foundation’.The foundation of ahome is the concrete or masonr y that supports it.Appropriately, “foundation” also means afundamental principle, or supporting material or thebase on which something rests. Our forebears madea wise choice in 1968 to name our grant-making armLions Clubs International Foundation. This entity isindeed the main support of wha t Lions do. Itembodies our fundamental principles. It’s our sturdy,reliable base for Lions’ ser vice.

Lions clubs could conceivably function withoutLCIF. But the world would be a much less pleasantplace. Millions more would be blind. After disasters,people would go hungry and lack shelter. Youthswould not learn self-respect or learn ho w to avoiddrugs and alcohol. (Thank you, Lions Quest!)Measles would kill many more children. Localcommunities would not be able to a vail themselves ofhealth clinics, schools and playgrounds for those withdisabilities.

LCIF is a brilliant, remarkably effective way forLions to multiply our impact. It’s the way we pool ourresources and channel our goodwill. It’s our tool forclubs to serve on a much larger scale than they couldon their own.

In this issue on page 29 you will learn more aboutthe wide scope of LCIF and its record of ser vicesuccess. Please continue to generously fund it, asLions have done for nearly half a centur y. Help Lionshelp others through LCIF.

English may not be the easiest langua ge to learn,but as a language it’s wonderful for expressing truthsand describing reality. So I can’t say this an y clearer:LCIF is our great foundation that does a world ofgood. Please keep supporting it.

Droves of swallows arrive in Japan eachspring. We welcome these seasonal visitors.In Japanese clothing a v-shaped tailrepresents the swallow – a symbol of goodluck, fidelity in marriage and fertility. Wheredo they fly from? Well, I’m not sure. Itdoesn’t matter. The world is interconnected;it’s a good thing to be open to newcomersand outsiders, who enrich our lives.

This year I am encouraging Lions toundertake or support global projects, whichincrease the harmony among nations. Donateto LCIF. Aid refugees. Support our measlesinitiative. Back projects that help needychildren. Consider getting your club involved inthe Lions’ Twinning program, which matchesclubs from two nations.

The Lions of Japan and Lions of Philippinesexemplify international cooperation. For yearsthey have partnered particularly on improvingimpoverished schools. It’s wonderful to provideservice to our own communities. Yet rememberthat pockets of the world would go completelyuntouched and its people in dire need withoutthe helping hand of people such as Lions.

To be a Lion is to be part of an interna tionalassociation, to embrace the ideal of globalharmony. It cannot happen unless individualLions like you decide to take action.

Sometimes even encouraging words canbridge a gap of distance and cultures and uniteus. Take a look at Facebook and other socialmedia. Not long ago, Agra Mahan Lions posteda photo of their ca taract operations for theelderly and poor people on the F acebook pageof Lions Clubs International. “Wow! That iswonderful. The gift of sight is truly a blessing.Thank you, Lions,” Machelle Davis James ofthe Gold Canyon Lions Club in Arizona posted.If the world now is a global village, then Lionsare chiefs and elders of harmon y andunderstanding. Be a Lion whose roar is heardacross borders and whose heart of ser vice islarge enough to encompass a world of need.

Many lives in Papua New Guinea (PNG)will benefit from the opening of the LionsNational Resource Centre for Eye Healthon the University of PNG (UPNG) campuslast month.

PNG has poor outcomes across the rangeof all health indicators, including sight.Currently eye-care delivery in PNG is grea tlyfragmented. Spectacles and surgicalconsumables are distributed out of differentareas, and low-vision device distributionacross the country is very limited.

During 2014 Lions Clubs Australiaapproached Vision 2020 Australia for ideasto develop a funding proposal for PNG. Ledby Vision 2020 member Brien Holden VisionInstitute, extensive consultations were heldwith all PNG stakeholders, includingmembers of the National Prevention ofBlindness Committee, UPNG, the Departmentof Health and local ophthalmologists.

As a result, it was decided the best way tosupport eye health in PNG was to develop aNational Resource Centre for Eye Health(NRC) at UPNG. This would be a centre ofexcellence for the training ofophthalmologists, eye health nurses andspectacle technicians and a na tionaldistribution centre for low-cost spectaclesand low-vision aids. It will also contribute tothe capacity of PNG to address lo w visionand blindness and vision impairment throughcoordinating national activities.

PNG welcomes

PROUD OCCASION: PNG’s cultural heritagewas on display at the eye-care centre’s opening.


5April - May 2016

A world-first therapeutic vaccine to treat prostate cancer could be av ailable in threeyears, saving men from undergoing invasive and expensive medical treatment.

Associate Professor Kristen Radford from Ma ter Research – Mater’s world-class researchinstitute – and her team are working to wards developing an ‘anti-tumour vaccine’ that supportsa person’s immune system to kill cancer cells and elimina te them from the body.

This promising new treatment has already shown some effectiveness in early c linical trials inmen.

If successful, the vaccine will offer a practical and affordable a pproach to use for prosta tecancer and, hopefully, other cancers.

The donations Lions clubs around Australia make to the Mater each year via the LionsProstate Cancer Research and Treatment project will ensure these advances to wards a vaccinefor prostate cancer continue.

Researchers have thanked Lions for making such a difference in the lives of Australian men.

For further information, contact Lion John Grimstone, project coordinator [email protected]

Prostate cancer vaccine likely in three yearsLions support is invaluable, say researchers

ANTI-TUMOUR VACCINE QUEST: Associate Professor Kristen Radford at work on the project atMater Research.

Following the approach to Lions Australia atthe MD Tamworth Convention, Lions Australia viathe MD PNG Committee was successful with abid to LCIF SightFirst for $USD 289,800 (approx.$AUS 400,000) for this significant project.

This project shows a wonderful outcomefollowing successful collaboration between keypartners – Lions Clubs Interna tional and itsfunding arm, LCIF; PNG EyeCare; Brien HoldenVision Institute; CBM PNG (funding anophthalmology lecturer); UPNG (providing thebuilding for renovation); the Prevention ofBlindness Committee PNG; Vision 2020 Australia;and PNG Department of Health.

Lions District 201Q2, via our MD201 PNGCommittee, provided the project stra tegicmanagement, whilst Brien Holden Vision Instituteprovided ‘on the ground’ project management.

Samuel Koim, Senior Manager, PNG Eye Care,spoke about the new centre. “Too often we see adevastating and, sadly, unnecessary toll oncommunities and individuals alike which couldhave been prevented with access to eye care. Wemust continue to work together to address andincrease delivery and awareness within PNG. Weare very grateful to Lions for their investment in theLions National Resource Centre for Eye Health.”

The well attended opening was officiallyconducted by the PNG Minister for Educa tion,Research and Science, Malakai Tabar, in thepresence of PIP Barry Palmer, currently Vice ChairLCIF, and Amanda Davis, COO Public Health, BrienHolden Vision Institute.

In addition, Lions Australiawas represented by MD201CC Phillip Johnson, Q2 DGKath Scully and PDG GaryKenny – MD PNG CommitteeProjects Coordinator. PNGLions also attended andarranged several colourfulcultural displays.

Said Barry Palmer after theopening: “It was my privilegeto represent LCIF at theopening of the new LionsNational Resource Centre forEye Health in Port Moresby.This outstanding centre hasbeen made possible becauseof the support of LCIF andpartners working together tobenefit all of PNG. Well done also to all theLions involved in making this dream cometrue.”

The Lions party, led by PIP Barr y, beingprobably the first International Lions officer tovisit PNG, took the opportunity to also visitLae and Madang where they gained firsthandknowledge of many needs in PNG. There area number of potential project options tha t canbe considered for future support.

In addition, PIP Barry inducted 12 newmembers into the world of Lions.

– PDG Gary KennyMD PNG Committee Projects Coordinator

vital new eye-care centre

OPENING TIME: PIP Barry Palmer meets with Dr Jambi Gar ap, DeputyChief Ophthalmologist, PNG, and a local Lion in cultur al dress (above).Below is some of the centre’s important eye-testing equipment.


LIONS ACTION

Meet graduate Jacob

When you CAN smile at a crocodile

It was a big day for labrador Jacob when hegraduated from the Righteous Pup training program,and fittingly he wore gown and tasselled hat.

But it was an even bigger day for a Gisborne family inVictoria when they welcomed Jacob.

Jacob’s talents will be put to good use helping twoautistic children in the family.

Jacob’s new role has been made possible by theHeidelberg-Warringal, Gisborne and District andLancefield Romsey clubs.

Proud pooch Jacob in his gown and tasselled hat (above), and (left) settling in with his newfamily (from left) Isaac, Isla, and mum and dad Leisl and Adam. With them is PDG Pauline Harrisand Lion Ged McLaughlin.

The 2015 Lions Youth of the Year national finalists have been makingtheir presence felt Australia-wide, even on the back of a giantcrocodile.

For Russell Watt, Emma Wiggins and Hannah Worsley, there was no needto follow the warning about smiling a t a crocodile. This fellow was not forreal.

He’s Cameron the 8.23m, 930kg saltwater croc at the Australia Zoo, a

replica of what a crocodile might be like if allo wed to live in the wildunhindered.

Since saltwater crocodiles were hunted to the brink of extinction by the1970s, it is now a rarity to see really large crocs in the wild.

For the trio of Youth of the Year finalists, Cameron was a must visit photostop on their Australian tour.

For more on Youth of the Year winners, turn to page 30.


7April - May 2016

Hearing and sight loss is debilitating for an yone but can be that much worse forchildren in regional and remote areas of Australia.

That’s why Lions from The Entrance, NSW handed over $17,271 to the Ro yal Institute forDeaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) Hunter. The money will support two families of children withsevere hearing and/or vision loss. Funds came from the c lub as well as the Australian LionsFoundation and the Lions NSW-Act Public Health Care Foundation. They will buy twoTeleschool Units that allow videoconferencing.“For children with vision or hearing loss, andtheir families, early intervention and ongoing access to specialised support ser vices arecritical,” said RIDBC Chief Executive Chris Rehn.

Get by with a little help from your friendsGold Coast Carrara Lions take a nostalgictrip back into Beatles historyAustralians give less than the UK, Canada andthe USA according to Philanthropy Australiabut the Gold Coast Carrara Lions Club is doingits bit to even things up by giving a little helpto friends and locals.

The club is doing it with a new small grantsprogram, launched with a parody photo of theBeatles’ original Abbey Road album cover picture.

“We wanted a picture tha t would be eye-catching but in line with the announcement ofour grants program,” said President RoxanneScott.

“I suggested we replicate the Abbey Roadpicture with a theme of stepping out to help thecommunity, and it evolved from there.

“One of our members, Bart McGee, suggestedthat in lieu of the VW in the original photo, weuse our club trailer, and then another member,Dave Wilman, went to Red Cross and borro wed

the wheelchair and leg brace andDerek Humphrey, our very ‘proper’English club treasurer/accountant,stooped to going barefoot in line withthe original image.

“So it became more of a parod ythan a replication of the original.

“Mal Scott suggested the titleAll You Need Is Love but Da vetrumped that with Get By With A Little Help FromYour Friends. Bart’s wife Karen was thephotographer.

“So it was a team effort in ever y way.” Funds from the grants program will go straight

to Gold Coast needs.“We know there are many local people who

are hurting right now but who, for one reason oranother, have been let down by the system,” saidRoxanne.

“We are inviting localpeople who can demonstrate a genuine need toapply for a small grant of up to $1000 for health,social or educational purposes.”

Application forms and grant guidelines can bedownloaded from www.carrara.qld.lions.org.au orby emailing [email protected].

SHE LOVES YOU YEAH YEAH YEAH: They might not boast Beatles moptops y et Gold Coast Carrara Lions (from left) Bart McGee, Derek Humphrey, Malcolm Scott,Virginia Moore and Dave Wilman created a winning ticket to ride with their latest promotion. Inset belo w is the Beatles origina l.

$17,000-plus for hearing/sight loss


Lion8

With Lions Clubs International’s centenarydrawing closer, V2’s Geelong Corio Bay clubhit a century too.

It sponsored more than 100 deser ving children toattend a summer camp at Victoria’s Lions VillageLicola.

The sponsorship allowed 104 children to attendthe latest camp, in January, at a cost of $285 each.

Lions clubs in Victoria and southern NSW haveowned and operated the Wilderness Village(www.licola.org.au), located near the boundar y ofVictoria's Alpine National Park, next to theMacalister River, since 1973. Interestingly, moneyfor the latest camp didn’t come from sausagesizzles, but from grants gained from localphilanthropic trusts.

For several decades, deserving Geelong youthaged 8-11 have been sponsored, mainly viafundraising events, to attend a Licola camp in thefirst week of January but five years ago the club’sgame plan changed.

“Inspired by the passion of our Camp LicolaChairperson to help deserving children, weembraced the idea of applying for grants advertisedby local philanthropic trusts,” says President RalphPatford. “We each shared concerns about thewellbeing of young children and entered apartnership of providing deserving children with aunique wilderness experience.

“This form of funding is a welcomed alternativeto fundraising by sausage sizzles and raffles. Ourexperience is that it is a winner and we now offerfully-funded positions directly to local family supportagencies. The number of children attending thecamps these past five years has increaseddramatically.”

In 2011/12, the club sponsored 63 children toattend. The following year that fell to 38, but thenan upward trend began. In 2013/14 it was 70, and84 in 2014/15.

In 2015/16, inspired by Lions ClubsInternational’s 100 years of ser vice promotion, theclub accepted the challenge to sponsor over 100children to attend the camp.

Seven applications for funding were submitted andeach was approved, with total funding of $32,545.

In total, 139 attended the camp thanks to

Geelong Corio Bay Lions and the generous supportof other clubs in the wider Barwon region.

Most came from Geelong’s socially andeconomically disadvantaged northernneighbourhoods.

Some were from dysfunctional homeenvironments, some from foster homes and otherswere nominated because their parents or carersneeded a break. The demographics of the childrenwere diverse and at times inspired curiositybecause they all had a stor y to tell. Some had alsobeen recommended by the Wathaurong Aborigine

Cooperative and some by Diversitat, an agencycaring for the multicultural community and thesettlement of refugee families. Many children wereaccompanied to the camp by agency case workerswho were aware of family circumstances andbackgrounds.

“The wider community is ver y supportive and atthis last camp we had 23 volunteers who were ver ycapable and well qualified,” said Geelong Corio BayLion Brian Edward, in charge of the Camp Licolaportfolio at the club.

“Three of them were registered nurses, threewere former teachers, one was an electorate officer,one a National Disability Insurance Agencyemployee and the remainder were well versed inlife’s experiences, or were young and enthusiasticpost-secondary or university students.”

Eight volunteer Lions representing five clubsattended this year's camp. “I am here for whatLicola did for me when I was a child 31 years ago, ”

confided one.One of those volunteers was Council

Chairman PDG Phillip Johnson whoseenthusiasm, experience and supportwere much appreciated.

“I approached the challenge to attend Licola fromthe perspective of my lifelong commitment toteaching in primary schools and helping children ofunderprivileged backgrounds,” said Phillip.

Many of the 139 children were from single-parentfamilies or home environments where unemploymentand disadvantage are the norm. There were alsosome from refugee families who escaped conflict inAfrica, the Middle East and Asia. They represented amicrocosm of Australia’s changing society.

President Brian recalls a young boy whoseparents were deaf and in desperate need of a fewdays of respite and calm.

“However, it was the experiences of three youngboys that touched my heart,” he says. “One wasfrom a very large family and he had beenabandoned. He was under statutor y guardianshipand his sad life experience was of living in far toomany foster homes. Another was a young lad wholost both parents in tragic circumstances. Finally

LionsCentenarypays off for100-plus kids


April - May 2016 9

there was the ladwhose mother died ofa drug overdose andwhose death in herfamily homeremained unreportedfor several days.”

Lions Village Licolahas an open-door policy when it comes to caringfor these children.

The Victorian and southern NSW clubs thatsupport Licola credit much of the camp’s successto the qualities and persistence of the Board ofDirectors of Lions Village Licola Inc., and inparticular camp CEO Adam Wake and his team offour permanent staff and the casuals.

Adapted from an article by Lion BrianEdward APM, a Lion since 1976, and a long-

time Lions Village Licola supporter who retiredin 2002 after serving 45 years in the

Victoria Police.

Contact: (03) 52 226 986 [email protected]

Just some of the 100-plus who enjo yed the Camp Licola getaway.Among the Lions volunteers at the latest camp w as CouncilChairman PDG Phil Johnson, pictured (inset far left) with some ofhis new young friends.


10 Lion

It might have been cold and wintr y but seven young West Australianswill never forget their overseas travels in December-January with theLions Youth Exchange Program.

The seven enjoyed the generous hospitality of overseas Lions host families. “It was challenging and some of the most fun I have ever had, ” said

exchangee Cameron. “The friendships I forged in Japan and the memories Icreated will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

"The Lions Youth Exchange has been the trip of a lifetime, ” added Demi, “and

I cannot thank Booragoon Lions Club and my family enough for supporting myapplication for the YE Program. I have learnt so much about the Americanculture, and travelling alone was surreal.”

Rebecca was just as enthusiastic. “My cultural exchange visit to Italy andAustria is possibly the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was lucky tohave families who gave me ever y opportunity to discover their countries andmeet other exchangees from different parts of the world.”

Applications for YE Program travel abroad this year close on 30th June.

What does an organisation with 100 years of ser vice under itsbelt do to celebrate its centenar y? Help others of course.

So to celebrate Lions Club International’s centenary, Lions clubsaround Australia have launched a program that will see more than 100regional projects brought to life.

These clubs will give more than $100,000 to over 100 projectsnationally in the form of $1000 grants as part of the Community 100program.

As many of our clubs agree, community is what you make it and wefeel there is no better way to celebrate 100 years of ser vice than tosupport new projects for Australian communities.

This program also gives our clubs and Lions Australia the chance totell people what our local clubs do and how they help our communities.

From sectors such as health, youth, vision, hunger, the environment,emergency services, medical research, where there is a need there is aLion.

We might be celebrating 100 years of ser vice, but we plan onproviding 100 more. To do that we need more members and foreveryday Australians to know what a rewarding experience being a Lionmember can be.

To get the message out there, Lions Australia has partnered withCountry Style magazine to feature a range of articles showcasing therange of our projects and initiatives and the new projects this programwill be giving life to.

For more information on the program, which is open for submissionsfrom February 25 until June 30, 2016, please visit:http://lionsclubs.org.au/activities/community100/

Telling our stories of service

Life changing

UNFORGETTABLE: Five of the lucky seven ... (from left) Rebecca, Demi, Neve, Cameron and Alexandra.


April - May 2016 11

With bushfires and tragic feed shortagescontinuing in many rural area, the Lions ‘Needfor Feed’ project has been in o verdrive.

In one of the latest efforts, 100 volunteers in 54trucks and other vehicles from all over Victoria andother states transported hay to the Scotsburn firearea near Ballarat.

Project organisers are appealing for other Lionsclubs and districts to partner in the project.

The Scotsburn run started in Officer in Gippslandand was joined by more vehicles along the way inRockbank and North Ballarat before receiving afour-car police escort through Ballarat for the driveto Buninyong.

Local Buninyong-Mt Helen Lions provided lunchbefore the hay was dispatched to 27 farms andtwo fodder depots. Local Coordination organisedwas by the Shire of Moorabool.

Much of the hay came from areas that previouslyhad received aid in the project.

Two semi loads were from the Ararat area, wherelast year the project provided hay for victims of the

Moyston fires, and also from the Benalla-Euroa areathat similarly received aid.

Some donating Kilmore and Heyfield farmers thistime had been recipients in previous years.

One semi-truck load was partly sponsored by theHeyfield Lions and Wellington Latrobe Lions. TheGrovedale-Waurn Ponds Lions Club and a MaffraLion were also involved in the collection anddelivery of the hay.

In total, the run transported 278 large rounds ofhay, 97 large squares and 1432 small squares.

Also included was about 400kg of dog food,100kg of cat food, 15 bags of horse gear, assortedbags of feed for chickens, birds and pigs, threeboxes of food for humans and even two bags ofrapid-set concrete.

Remarkably, most of the small squares and petfood was shifted on utes, 4WDs and cars withtrailers or horse floats.

Total value has been estimated at more than$70,000, while the value of the manual handling byvolunteers was described as ‘absolutely priceless’.

The run brought much valuable publicity for Lionsthroughout the state and elsewhere and the ABC’sVictorian Country Hour was broadcast live fromBuninyong to cover the arrival.

“I think we could safely say it was our mostsuccessful effort yet,” said Pakenham Lion GrahamCockerell, coordinator of the ‘Need for Feed’project.

FOOTNOTE: As the LION magazine was going topress, ‘Need For Feed’ oaten straw was beingdistributed from a follow-up convoy from TelangatukEast on the other side of the Grampians, back to theBallarat area.

Again this will be used by farmers in fire-affectedareas. “This week for the first time ever, Need forFeed is working in four different fire areas at once,and still has capacity to react to the drought, if needbe,” said Graham Cockerell.

“That's all thanks to generosity of our donors,and the capability, and dedication to the cause, ofour army of volunteers.”

LIONSHAYCONVOYROLLSON

NEED FOR FEED


12 Lion12

From Council Chairman PhillipFROM THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT

Greetings everyone,Early in March I had the opportunity to join with PastInternational President Barry Palmer, Q2 DistrictGovernor Kath Scully and PDG Gar y Kenny (memberof the PNG Member Development Committee) on avisit to Papua New Guinea. The primary purpose wasto attend the launch of the Lions National ResourceCentre for Eye Health Care in the grounds of theUniversity of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby(see the story on page 4). This resource centre hasbeen funded by the Lions Clubs InternationalFoundation to the amount of approximately$AUD400,000. Eye health has for many years beenone of the least priorities of the PNG government,often not given any funding support so that thoseproviding eye care services had to improvise. A visitto the eye care area of the local hospital in PortMoresby certainly bears witness to this lack offunding. The opening of the Lions National ResourceCentre for Eye Health is therefore seen bystakeholders in the provision of eye care ser vices asthe beginning of better things to come. It was anextremely proud moment to be present at the launchand know that Lions was responsible, along withother partners such as the Brien Holden VisionInstitute, for making a difference in the lives of thoseless fortunate than ourselves. Seeing such a projectcome to fruition, via donations by Lions to LCIFwhich then make grants where needed, highlightsthe importance for clubs in Australia of giving strongconsideration to LCIF when distributing funds. Thereare many other projects across our Multiple District,along with disaster relief funding, that are up andrunning because of LCIF grants. We are blessed tohave this funding arm of Lions Clubs International,along with our various Australian and DistrictFoundations. Please give due consideration whendistributing funds, because through thesefoundations you reach out to those in need morewidely than the local community we also work sohard to support.

The motto used for our Centennial celebrations is“Where there is a Need, there is a Lion”. Howappropriate is this motto when talking about PapuaNew Guinea which is Zone 12 of MD201 Q2. Wehave three Lions clubs and one Lioness club (Lae)

situated in Port Moresby, Lae and Madang. Thedelegation also had the opportunity to visit theseclubs and see the various projects they have inplace and hope to have in place in the future. Theytruly strive to put into practice the motto of ourgreat organisation: We Serve. It was also a joy tosee five new members inducted into Lions in Laeand four more in Madang. There are certainly strongopportunities for Lions to grow in PNG, for there aremany basic needs that we take for granted that stillneed to be addressed in this developing countr ythat is right on our doorstep and part of the MD201Lions Family. If and when approached by the PNGMember Development Committee for financialsupport to help membership grow and develop inPapua New Guinea, please give consideration to therequest. They are certainly doing a lot forthemselves and have dedicated members wantingto further the role of Lions within their respectivecommunities, but any help that can be provided iscertainly welcomed. As I indicated earlier, theopportunity to be part of the delegation to PNG andrepresent and convey the well wishes of Lionsacross Australia was an extremely moving andrewarding experience.

We are currently in the middle of our “March toMay Membership Drive”. The GMT Coordinator foryour district is readily available to assist you to findways to attract new members into Lions and ver yimportantly, retain the members we have in ourclubs. Have we all taken on the challenge of “JustAsk One”? If each club was to strive to be net Plus 1at the end of the current Lions year , we will be over1200 lions stronger within the Multiple District,which gives us 2400 more hands to be of ser vice toour fellow humans. Just recently I heard of theefforts of one District to promote Lions bysuggesting that on a certain day and date that, ifpossible, all Lions members of that District weartheir club uniform or some prominent Lionsidentification to work. Wouldn’t that make astatement and generate discussion in the workplace.I am sure you feel the same as me when you hearthe statement “Lions is the best kept secret” andcringe. Why should we be the best kept secret? Wedo so much good in our communities and aroundthe world, we should be proud to shout it from therooftop. In my own District of MD210 V2 our GMTCoordinator, Lion John Mitchell, instills in membersthe three Vs, one A and four Fs. He urges all Lionsmembers of Cabinet and clubs to talk about howVITAL we are to our communities through the ser vicewe provide, be VOCAL and proud to tell ever yone wemeet about what we do and be VISIBLE through

banners, club uniforms, our lapel pin, signs etc.Then, just ASK if they want to learn more aboutLions and bring them along to a project or dinnermeeting to meet other dedicated Lions and learnmore about our organisation. Then you move on toensure the new members have FUN, that theybelong to a FRIENDLY group that cares about whatthey do and how they do it together, a group thatputs credence in FELLOWSHIP and has FORMALITYor structure as to how the group goes about itsbusiness of service. I wish all districts and clubs asuccessful membership growth through the “Marchto May Membership Drive”.

By now clubs, zones, regions and districtsinvolved in the Youth of the Year project have heldtheir various finals and in April we see the StateFinals taking place. Coupled with this is the Leo ofthe Year program. Then there is the excitement ofwaiting to see the cream of our youth display theirskills and talents at the Youth of the Year and Leo ofthe Year finals to take place in May at the MDConvention. Once again these are greatopportunities to sell Lions to visitors. The down timewhen judges are out adjudicating is a greatopportunity to show a brief video of Lions at work orfor someone to give a short presentation on whatLions do in the community – or do we just tell thosein attendance to just talk among themselves? Do weuse the opportunity to advertise and invite membersof the wider community to come along and listen tothe young people speak?

I am confident in saying that many Lions arepreparing and planning for the annual trip to the MDConvention. This year it will be held in Echuca and Ican assure you that members of the Lions Club ofEchuca are pulling out all stops to make it aconvention to remember. Along with our importantbusiness sessions, we have the opportunity to hearguest speakers, listen to reports and presentationsabout our various projects, gather with friends andimportantly make new friends and listen to the youthof Australia as they involve themselves in the Youthof the Year project and Leo of the Year. This year wehave the important task of choosing a Lions memberof MD201 to fill the role of International Director forthe next two years to represent Lions ofConstitutional Area 7 (Australia, New Zealand andIndonesia). We are blessed to have five highly skilledand dedicated Lions (see page 22) standing for thisimportant position. Please read their brochures andlearn about them as Lions and how they strive toserve their fellow humans, so that when we come tovote, our vote will be an informed vote.

Travel well and take care. Anne and I look forwardto seeing as many of you as possible in Echuca.

Regards,Phillip & Anne Johnson


13April - May 2016

From Executive Officer Rob

Sometimes dreams do cometrue.

That was the case recently inthe South Australian coal miningtown of Leigh Creek following theannouncement last year that itwould cease mining on March 17and not operate beyond March2017.

At the time local primary schoolstudents were excitedly lookingforward to attending an AquaticsCamp in Port Vincent – but withthe looming end of mining theirdream holiday was suddenly injeopardy. It was feared the campwould not even happen because parents wouldnot be able to meet the costs.

Enter a couple of white knights! A sponsor wasfound to fund the accommodation cost and theFollow Your Dream Foundation Australia agreed tofund travel and food.

As a result of this generosity, 25 childrenenjoyed four days of canoeing, windsurfing,swimming, scuba diving and discovering a littlebit of marine biology, plus much fun and frivolity.

The Follow Your Dream Foundation Australia

was established by Past International PresidentBarry Palmer on completion of his year asInternational President for the purpose ofsupporting disadvantaged women and children.

The Anne and Barry Palmer AM Fellowship isavailable to recognise a member of the LionsFamily or the community for a donation of $500.A donation can be made by visiting thefoundation’s website –www.followyourdreamfoundationaustralia.org. Itwould really appreciate your support.

It’s been a very busyfew months as weworked with our Team100 clubs and mediapartner to launch ourfirst Multiple DistrictCentennial initiative,‘Lions Community100’, in conjunction

with the national magazine Country Style.The project is built around supporting great

community initiatives around Australia andpromoting them though our media partner.

The current edition of Countr y Style tells the stor yof the Redfern Lions Club through one of itsfounders, Norma Ingram. Future editions will focuson great Lions stories from around Australia withthe April edition coming from Queensland. It’s soexciting because for the first time we have beenable to get in-depth examples of our contribution ina national magazine. The work of Lions is alsobeing promoted through Country Style’s socialmedia pages that reach out to over 600,000people.

We can also look forward to spreading the wordthrough community service grants sponsored by our

115 participating clubs. Applications are now beingsought from worthy community groups aroundAustralia. The grants, announced later this year, willalso form the basis of 100 stories of ser vice to bepromoted to the media.

Follow the links on our website –http://lionsclubs.org.au/activities/community100/

EchucaThe Echuca Convention is coming along well and

we can expect to feel ver y welcome in May thisyear. The program is very full and busy and I havebeen told that local schools are ver y excited to bringtheir students along to the Youth of the YearNational final on Monday 16 May. What a greatway to inspire local young people to participate inthe future!

Remember too that we will commence theprogram at 4pm on Thursday 12 May with a ver yspecial Opening Ceremony on the banks of theMurray River.

Fukuoka, JapanI look forward to catching up with our Lions who

are travelling to Fukuoka, Japan for the InternationalConvention in June 2016, hosted in the homecountry of our International President, Jitsuhiro

Yamada. This year will be the first time MD201(Australia and PNG) and MD202 (New Zealand andthe Islands of the South Pacific) will join together tobring you a Downunder Reception and DownunderBreakfast. These functions are very popular in theInternational Lions community so if you areattending, please make sure you buy your tickets.They must be purchased in advance, and areavailable from our Lions Club supplies shop!

Coming Up• Happiest Lions Club – We see yourwebsites. We watch your Facebook page. Weknow you are happy, so now is the time to leteveryone know! Get your entries in by 21 April2016 – http://lionsclubs.org.au/happiest-lions-club/• Lions National Convention 2016 –Echuca. 12-16 May 2016 –http://lionsclubs.org.au/conventions/echuca-2016/• Lions International Convention 2016– Fukuoka, Japan. 24-28 June 2016 –http://lionsclubs.org.au/conventions/fukuoka-2016/

FOLLOW YOUR DREAM FOUNDATION TO THE RESCUE

FUN BYTHE SEA:Port Vincent,site of thecamp.


14 Lion

By Eric MargulesHidden in cities and villages acrossZimbabwe, many beyond the reach of moderntechnology, more than five million childrenunder 15 face the threat of death fromdevastating diseases. Many of these diseases,such as measles, can be easily prevented by aseries of inexpensive vaccinations.

Luckily, where there’s a need, there’s a Lion. Lions knew something had to be done, but

stopping the spread of a disease such as measlesrequires resources and collaboration on an almostunimaginable scale. That’s why, since 2013, LionsClubs International Foundation (LCIF) has partneredwith Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to meet thechallenge of measles in Zimbabwe – and aroundthe world – head-on.

Last September, LCIF, the Lions of Zimbabwe andGavi partnered with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Healthand Child Care to begin a massive five-day catch-up campaign to provide 5.2 million children with the

measles-rubella vaccine and vitamin Asupplements. With the Ministry of Health and ChildCare coordinating the campaign, Gavi suppliedmillions of the vaccinations and vitaminsupplements, while Lions took to the streets tomobilise volunteers and spread the word about thecampaign.

With the help of a $100,000 grant from LCIF,Lions in Zimbabwe blanketed the airways, roadwaysand even cellphones with reminders about thecampaign. To spread the word to families withoutaccess to television or radio, Lions and Leosteamed up to canvas marketplaces and other publicspaces with flyers.

“There has been huge participation from Lionsclubs, and the response from the community hasbeen outstanding,” says Jonah Machaya, 2nd vicedistrict 412 governor. “We’ve sent out SMSs. We’vedone billboards. We’ve sent out radio feeds. We’vesent out cellphone feeds. We have been in touchwith most of the community of Zimbabwe.”

According to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health andChild Care, which reported that all of the targetpopulation received vaccinations and nearly 90percent received the vitamin supplement, it’s clearthat Lions’ efforts were successful.

“We saw an advert in the newspaper and we feltthat it’s our duty as parents to make sure (our) kidsare vaccinated against the measles,” says oneparent whose children received their vaccinesduring the campaign. “It has benefitted usimmensely because it is just a short distance from

where we stay and also it is free of charge. Thesupport is fantastic.”

The success of the measles-rubella campaigndemonstrates what Lions and partners canaccomplish when they come together for the goodof their communities. Much still remains to be doneto combat measles around the world. As a part oftheir partnership, LCIF and its volunteers are raising$30 million to help Gavi fund similar campaigns insome of the world’s poorest countries. Funds raisedby Lions will be matched by the United Kingdom’ sDepartment for International Development and theBill & Melinda Gates Foundation to bring the total to$60 million. To learn more about how LCIF and Gaviare working together to combat measles visitlcif.org/EN/our-work/humanitarian-efforts/measles.php.

By Cassandra RotoloWill Jackson was only 18 when he wasdiagnosed with glaucoma.

He came to terms with his poor vision, and formore than 30 years he has lived a relativelyordinary life. He has two sons and a fiance, loves tocook and has mastered using public transportationto travel around Baltimore in the U.S.

But recently Jackson found it increasingly difficultto do everyday activities such as reading thenewspaper, reviewing bills and writing cheques.When his ophthalmologist recommended he seeklow-vision rehabilitation services at the Lions VisionCenter within the Johns Hopkins Wilmer EyeInstitute in Baltimore, Jackson didn’t think therewould be much they could do for him. He hadadapted to living with glaucoma so well that he hadnever sought assistance outside of his eye doctor .Nevertheless, he made an appointment to see alow-vision specialist.

A few days later, Jackson received a phone callfrom Past District Governor Ken Chew. He called onbehalf of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Network(LOVRNET), an initiative of the Lions of MultipleDistrict MD22 and a partner of the Lions VisionCenter. Lions LOVRNET is a model for a newcommunity-based healthcare program to addressthe current shortage of low-vision rehabilitationservices in Delaware, Maryland and the District ofColumbia. The program creates a single referral

resource for both eye careproviders and patients andcoordinates care by matchingpatients to appropriatetrained service providers intheir area.

The phone screeninginterview with Chew tookabout an hour. Jacksonlearned about tasks that hecould get help with and toolsthat were available to him. Special cameras,magnifying glasses and even a talking watch couldhelp him remain self-sufficient. With the help ofadaptive tools from the Lions Vision Center, Jacksonhopes to one day be able to watch a football game.“The experience has been personal. I get to talk topeople and laugh with them,” he explains. “It’s morethan just filling out forms at a doctor’ s office. I feellike a person, not a number.”

The Lions of MD22 received a US$567,647SightFirst grant to establish the Lions LOVRNET. Inaddition to developing a single referral resource,Lions LOVRNET also trains and supports localoptometrists, ophthalmologists and other eye-careproviders so they can offer high quality and effectivelow-vision rehabilitation services as part of theirpractices.

The LOVRNET project was inspired by a previouscollaboration between MD22 and Johns Hopkins to

develop a public education program on low visionand blindness. That effort, supported by an LCIFUS$200,000 Core 4 grant, mobilised local Lions toeducate the community on eye health and low-vision rehabilitation.

The unexpected value for Lions, according toChew, is connecting to people on the other end ofthe line. “I have been a Lion for almost 25 years.My club is great at raising money and writingcheques – and that’s important. But connectingwith people is important, too,” says Chew. “Seeing apatient’s journey is a reminder of the impact we’rehaving. We have the potential to do a lot of good.”

Jackson’s eyesight may be impaired, but hisvision of living a self-reliant life is thriving. WithLions and LCIF on his side, his future is bright. Tofind out how your district or multiple district canhelp address the need for low-vision ser vices inyour area, visit lcif.org. To learn more about Lions

Help and hope are just aphone call away

LCIF – visionary work

LCIF - Foundation impact

Lions in Zimbabwehelp vaccinate morethan five million

The Lions VisionCenter at the JohnsHopkins Wilmer EyeInstitute providesimportantrehabilitationservices to blind orvisually impairedpeople throughoutAmerica’s greaterBaltimore area.

Lions prepare a child forthe measles-rubella vaccination.


April - May 2016 15

PROJECT WITH AHORSEY DIFFERENCE...and not a sausage in sight!

WAS THAT A POLICE LOCK-UP I SAW GO BY?Saving a piece of S.A. history

Lions doing what they do best – helping people, is a common sightfor those many communities in which Lions ser ve. But, horses helpingLions, now that’s a twist!

In a great show of generosity and community spirit, the NSW HarnessRacing Club charity pacer Abettorrose regularly races for charities andcommunity groups.

Charities receive $2500 for a win, and, if unsuccessful, the chosen charitystill receives $250 just for a start!

In January Abettorrose raced for Sydney’s Ingleburn Lions Club at MenanglePark and proudly led for most of the race.

Alas, the last couple of hundred metres proved just too much for thefearless filly.

Hopefully there will be another day.DOING IT FOR LIONS: Ingleburn Lion Syd Hyett joins Abetterrose and her trainer,Kellyann Turner, to check out the filly’s form.

Thanks to the dogged work of a South Australian Lion, a100-year-old double portable police cell will live on.

After many months of meetings and paperwork and the support ofhis fellow Tea Tree Gully Lions, Geoff Francis organised the move ofthe historic cell, the only one of its type left, to the local Tea TreeGully Museum where it will be restored and preser ved by volunteersheaded up by Geoff.

The cell’s relocation raised much excitement around Tea TreeGully with some onlookers moved to donate to the project.

Historically listed by the Tea Tree Gully Council, the cell wasinitially located at the original local police station at the Gully in1920, and moved again just three blocks up the road in 1950 to thethen newly-built police station.

The cell was donated to the museum by Mr Hans Liedig.Local company Garden Grove Supplies donated the low loader for

the move, with both police and council escorts also in attendance.

MOVING HISTORY: The cell is picked up for the move (right), andtrucked under the Arch of Remembrance (below). Lion Geoff Francisbeside the cell (below right).


16616 Lion

The remarkable John Olsen, a 30-plus-yearLions member and a five-year member of theGeelong Corio Bay club, is on a monumentaltrans-Australian walk.

John is walking diagonally across Australia fromCape York to Perth, via Cape Leeuwin. He was dueto leave Cape York on April 1 and expected to bewalking for about five and a half months.

“Many who know John well believe that AprilFool’s Day was an appropriate date”, commentedGeelong Corio Bay President Ralph Patford. “He isthe club’s resident prankster and an irreverentcomment or two has been known to pass his lips.”

John has already accomplished twotranscontinental walks; the first, in 2004, north tosouth from Cape York, Queensland, to South WestCape, Tasmania, and the second, in 2008, west toeast from Steep Point, Western Australia, to ByronBay, NSW (and then the 1,800km trek home toGeelong on foot).

“I believe that I may well be first person tocomplete the diagonal crossing of Australia on foot,”said John before leaving on this latest epic.John’s Motivation: John’s first walk was simplyabout setting himself a test. It became a fundraiseras he progressed when people he met along theway insisted on giving him donations. In the end it

became a substantial fundraiser for theAustralian Lions Children’s MobilityFoundation.

His second walk focussed on two charities, theAustralian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation andthe Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group (ALDS).This third walk will raise funds for LeukodystrophyAustralia, previously the Australian LeukodystrophySupport Group (John’s partner Vida died of thecondition early in 2014).The walk: Based on his past walks, John will coverabout 1000km a month. He refuses to use asupport vehicle, other than for deliver y to and fromhis starting and finishing points, and relies onpicking up food, water and other essentials alongthe way.

“This walk will be easier than the last one” hesaid, “as I won’t need to go in and bur y caches offood or drink. There will be adequate places for meto stock up on the essentials as I move along.”

He is pulling a purpose-built, two-wheel cart hefondly refers to as ‘Wilson’, and makes camp alongthe way as he sees fit.

John’s route takes him south from Cape York,cutting across to Normanton, and then in a relativelystraight line through to Camooweal. From there heheads south-west to Alice Springs, and then makes

his way to Yulara before travelling along the GreatCentral Road to Laverton

The next stage will take him to Kalgoorlie,westward towards Perth before turning south-westagain through Wave Rock, and finally on to CapeLeeuwin. He then plans to walk north to Perth,before heading back home to Geelong using moreconventional transport.

“I’m a reasonably experienced outback traveller”said Geelong Corio Bay President Ralph Patford,“and the section of the route that worries me mostis where John leaves the Development Road southof Coen on the York Peninsula and heads southwest towards Normanton. These roads are far lesstravelled and there are a number of what could bedifficult river crossings. However, I have everyconfidence in John’s commonsense and abilities.”John’s Safety: “This walk is not without its risks”said Lions Secretary Les, an accredited industrialsafety consultant “and we have developed anddocumented extensive safety operations plans.These will be distributed to all the police stationsalong John’s route.”Keeping track of the walk: John, as he has done

JOHN’S LONG WALK for Leukodystrophy

Transcontinental trekking isnothing new to this determinedLion ... and now he’s doing it onthe diagonal


April - May 2016 17

What is LeukodystrophiesLeukodystrophies is a group of 40-plusdegenerative genetic diseases that affect thenervous system. They usually take hold inchildhood with many losing the ability to see,hear, walk, sit up or even swallow. There is nocure and the impact on families is devastating.

In general, in new-born babies the myelinsheaf, which protects the ner ves, is not fullydeveloped but normally development iscomplete within a few years. Sometimesdevelopment is delayed, but without,necessarily further disruption to development.

However, for some children the sheaf nevercompletes development, leading to a range ofdisorders caused by degeneration of the whitematter in the brain and subsequentdeterioration in nerve function throughout thebody. Leukodystrophies are characterised byspecific symptoms including decreased motorfunction, muscle rigidity and eventuallydegeneration of sight and hearing.

The onset in adults may lead to similarsymptoms. There is no cure and it is a fatalcondition. However, there are treatments thatslow progress and recent research providessome hope for a cure longterm.

More details: www.leuko.org.au

in the past, is talking to the ABC’s Ian ‘Macca’McNamara on ‘Australia All Over’ as often as hecan on Sunday mornings. As part of his safetyprotocol he also has a satellite phone with him,courtesy of Telstra.

In addition, he is carrying a Spot 3 personalsatellite tracker that allows tracking of his progresson his website – www.thelongwalk.org.au. Lions Support: The walk is not an official LionsAustralia project, however all 19 District Governorshave given permission for material about the walkto be distributed to their clubs.

“The support of Council Chairman Phil Johnson,Executive Officer Rod Oerlemans, and all 19 DistrictGovernors and Cabinet Secretaries has been greatand very much appreciated,” said President Ralph.“Donations are already coming in. All bodes well forJohn reaching his $100,000 goal”.

Although it will be Alice Springs before John anda Lions club cross paths, it is hoped clubs along theway will welcome him, maybe with a fundraisingfunction.

John’s potential to interact with clubs will increaseonce he moves on from Kalgoorlie, and particularlywhen in the ‘home straight’ from Cape Leeuwin toPerth. “Whatever support Lions clubs along the waycan provide will be gratefully appreciated,” said

Project Chairman Lion Morrie Pieper.Mayor to mayor: Geelong’s flamboyant Mayor,Darryn Lyons, has provided John with a message,along with a lock of his colourful hair , to bedelivered to Perth’s Mayor. Hopefully she willreciprocate. John is also hopeful of being able todeliver a message from Joseph Elu, Chairperson ofthe Torres Strait Regional Authority, to anappropriate counterpart in Perth.Make a donation: Many Lions clubs andindividuals have already donated.

Donations may be forwarded directly to the LionsClub of Geelong Corio Bay (cheque/money orderpayable to “Long Walk for Leukodystrophy”, PO Box684, Geelong VIC 3220, or direct credit WestpacCorio Village, BSB 033679, Acc: 294455 – anofficial receipt will be provided on request – email:[email protected]), or to the website setup for this purpose (www.thelongwalk.org.au, LongWalk donation page). All personal donations over $2are tax deductible. All donations will be forwardedin full to Leukodystrophy Australia, except for asmall merchant fee if a credit card is used.

John’s own club, Geelong Corio Bay, hascommitted to donate $1 per kilometre, or about$5500. Perhaps your club can commit to donatetoo.


Photos:EchucaMoama

RegionalTourism

MD201 CONVENTION12-16 May, 2016


April - May 2016 19

ECHUCAYour last chance to register for

Lions 64th MD201 ConventionThe deadline is here. This is your last chanceto register for our Lions National Conventionin idyllic Echuca.

Show your support for Lions, meet old and new

friends, enjoy a round of golf or savour some fine

dining in a drop-dead beautiful location.

It all awaits you in the

history-rich city of

Echuca on the Murray.

Register over the page.

Echuca is home to

the famous heritage-

listed wharf, part of the

largest inland port in

Australia.

It is set on the banks

of the mighty Murray

River with the largest

fleet of working paddle

steamers in the world.

Tourists come from all

over to visit. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part

of the opening ceremony on this historic icon.

Historic buildings and a unique “Old Street”

showcase the shops of yester year and are

complemented by the modern bustling main street

and the wealth of amenities of which the twin cities

of Echuca and Moama are justly proud.

Four high standard clubs, great hotels,

restaurants, cafes and takeaway outlets will ensure

you don’t go hungry.

Rich River Golf Club and two bowling clubs are

available for those who would like a game.

Your choices of accommodation are many and

varied and Echuca Moama Tourism (1800 804 446)

will help you with your booking.

Registrations close 29th April (hospitality

bookings 12th April) so time is of the essence. See

more over the page.


Closing date for registrations is 29th April 2016


April - May 2016 21

Payment MethodsPlease forward registration, hospitality bookingsand this payment method form to: The Registrar,MD201 Convention 2016, P.O Box 2117, EchucaSouth, 3564

Cheque Made Payable to:Lions Club of Echuca Multiple District 2016 Convention

Direct Debiting Details: BSB: 033621, ACCOUNT:338275Lions Club of Echuca Multiple District 2016Convention

Please forward a copy of your e-banking receiptwith this registration form. When payingregistration under Payee Ref. please include yoursurname.

Payment by Credit Card Visa Mastercard Other Credit CardCard No. - - - - / - - - - / - - - - / - - - -Expiry Date - - / - - /Name on Card - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Card Verification No.- - -Signature - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CHAIRMAN, PDG Barry Higgins 03 5482 5301,0427 825 301SECRETARY, John Simpson 03 5482 5401TREASURER, Graeme Birch 03 5482 6559,0414 378 272DISPLAY BOOTH CHAIRMAN Alan Wray 03 5482 2761, 0428 546 754

Email: [email protected]: John Potter 03 5482 4932

Office use onlyID No

Rec. date

SUNDAY – Gregg J. Suaning, AssociateProfessor Biomedical Engineering, University ofNew South Wales

As Helen Keller challenged Lions to be ‘Knights ofthe Blind’, we have always made saving sight animportant part of Lions commitment.

So has Professor Greg Suaning and his team whoare on the threshold of exciting developments for theblind.

For the better part of two decades, Dr. Suaninghas played a leading role in implantable bionics inAustralia, both in the commercial domain with thedevelopment of cochlear implants for the deaf, andmore recently in the academic pursuit of a first-generation visual prosthesis for the profoundly blind.

His presentation is informative, exciting,challenging and definitely worth experiencing.

FRIDAY – Helen Brown, founder of HUG, HelpUs GrowHelen Brown is an inspirational lady who provesthat one person can make a difference. She is alocal lady who founded a not-for-profit charity,HUG – Help Us Grow, about nine years ago.

Since then HUG has achieved extraordinar ythings by working side-by-side with localcommunity members in a rural village in Uganda,East Africa.

There the organisation partners with localcommunities and is able to establish grassrootsagricultural, educational and health-basedinitiatives that empower Ugandan people to makea sustainable difference in their own lives.

Helen’s story epitomises the ‘can do’ attitudethat Lions is about.

Your keynote speakers BIG RED KIDNEY BUSIn a first, the state-of-the-art Big Red Kidney Bus will be on hand with dialysis fora couple of convention delegates.

The bus, the result of a partnership betweenKidney Health Australia and the Australian BusIndustry, has the numberplate 1-VINCE in honourof now-deceased Traralgon Lion Vince Tripodiwhose club has supported the Big Red KidneyBus to the tune of $30,000. Vince, a dialysispatient, came up with the idea to provide dialysisat holiday locations for patients on holiday.


TONY BENBOWTony and Sue have been married for 34 years and have two adult children – Nicoleand Michael. His business career spanned some 39 years in the banking industr y,working in many senior and varied management roles.

He joined the Lions Club of South Vermont (V5) in 1985 as a Charter Memberafter commencing his community ser vice in the Rotaract Club of Nunawading wherehe was a member for 10 years.

At District level, Tony held many roles at Cabinet including Zone Chairman,Promotions Chairman and Cabinet Treasurer for seven years, to Vice DistrictGovernor and District Governor. Following his year as District Governor , Tony waselected Council Chairman of Lions Australia in 2007/8.

On completion of his term as Council Chairman, Tony was appointed to theInternational role of Area Leader Global Membership Team for Australia, a new rolecreated by the International Board to support our Membership program. He wasthen appointed into a similar role for Leadership for Australia before taking on therole of Constitutional Area 7 Leader for Membership, which he presently holds.

Tony has also held other roles in Lions, both at the local and International level.He was Deputy Chairman of the 2010 Sydney International Convention HostCommittee and the Vice Chairman of the International Presidents PromotionCommittee supporting the candidature of our own Barr y Palmer AM. In more recenttimes he has supported the International Convention Bid Committee for 2020 and now our nomination for the 2022 International Convention.

Tony has also been a Group Leader onthree District Governor Elects Schools, inHamburg, Toronto and Honolulu.

He has a passion to ser ve and holds anumber of positions in other organisationswhich include, Chairman of the Lions HouseFoundation Inc. which he has held for anumber of years, the Victorian State Trusteefor the Australian Lions Foundation which hehas held for seven years and an Ambassadorfor the “Follow Your Dream Foundation”.

Outside his Lions commitments, he still hasa business involvement as the Chairman ofStepAhead Australia Ltd. and a Director of the OK Foundation Ltd. He is also anAssociate Member of the Institute of Community Directors.

Throughout his Lions and business career, family has always been important toTony. Sue is an active member of the Lions Club of South Vermont Ladies Auxiliaryand, along with Nicole and Michael, has always been there to support him.

Tony has the expertise, skill and knowledge of our organisation to capablyundertake the role of International Director for our Constitutional Area. He has thedrive, time and capacity, not only to ser ve for the two-year period of Director, but tocontinue to support and be active in our area for many years to come.

Meet our five candidatesNORMA BARNARDPDG Norma Barnard, member of the Lions Club of Balla Balla Inc. District 201V3

Norma was born and raised on a dair y farm in South Gippsland. She attendedlocal schools and found employment at the local newspaper office, South GippslandAmbulance Headquarters and most recently as bursar of a primar y school for 31years.

Norma and George married 50 years ago and have two sons,and sixgrandchildren.

While Norma is very much a ‘grass roots’ Lion she understands that many of thechallenges facing local Lions clubs can most effectively be addressed by appropriatedecisions of the International Board. LCI can only grow and thrive if all clubs arefunctioning well and this can only happen if the International Board provides themwith the appropriate policy, direction and resources. Norma’s business experienceand 22 years as an active and effective Lion provide her with the knowledge andunderstanding to make a significant contribution to the International Board.

Norma has held many executive positions at Club and District level. She has heldall Club positions serving as President on two occasions, secretary, tail twister andmembership/welfare chairman.

Served as District Governor in 2003-04, Cabinet Secretary for three consecutiveyears, Health Chairman, Operation Friendship Chairman, Women in Lionism, ZoneChairman. She was Campaign SightFirst ll District Coordinator for four years.

Norma’s talents were recognised in 2005 when she was invited by thenInternational President, Klem Kusiak, to be a presenter of the Symposium Women’sforum at the International Convention in Hong Kong.

Norma introduced Children of Courage tothree zones within the District 15 years agoand this is still giving children the opportunityto be recognised today.

Norma has also been an executive of theVictorian Lions Foundation serving as secretaryfor three years, Cord Blood Committee, Ridefor Sight, but is just as happy ‘selling snags ata bbq’.

In 2017 we will celebrate the centenar y ofLions. While it will be a time of celebration ofpast achievements, it will also be a time toreview the approach for an equally successfulfuture. The modern approach in business, industry, public sector and governments isto draw from the talents of the whole community . Norma is uniquely qualified tocontribute a different, more balanced approach to the challenges of the future.

As our representative from ‘downunder’, Norma would bring to the InternationalBoard a broad understanding of the needs of the clubs of this Constitutional Area.She has the personality and people skills to meet our needs. These will of courseoften compete with proposals from other parts of the world, but Norma hasconsiderable business and Lions experience in promoting a point of view and beingan advocate for a successful outcome.

In all, Norma has the extensive experience to lead Lions as International Directorand can effectively represent the Lions policies, direction and resources needed forthe 2016-2018 period.

BRUCE HUDGSONI was given a wonderful opportunity in 1972 to ser ve my community, when I wasinvited to join the Lions Club of Portland.

I believe in our Lions motto – We Serve – but, more importantly, I believe in myfellow Lions, and what we can do for those less fortunate than us. I am strong onthe importance of the art of listening and I believe I am such a person.

The community service ethic that is so important to us all, combined with myextensive domestic and international Lions and business experience, gives me, Ibelieve – and, I hope, you believe – the qualifications to be a worthy member of,and an effective voice for the interests of Australian Lions, on our lnternationalBoard.

I began my professional and business career as an agricultural scientist inPortland. I later established my own company – Multifert – which developed intoone of the larger supply companies in the Australian fertiliser industry. When I

moved from Portland to Melbourne with mybusiness, I joined the Werribee Club where Iwas a member for 31 years, and am now withDeer Park.

Over my 43 years in Lions, I have served asPresident of both Portland and Werribee, andhave been on the 201V2 Cabinet for much ofthe past 40 years where I have ser ved asCabinet Secretary, Cabinet Treasurer (3 times)and CBL Chairman (4 times). The year I wasConvention Chairman we enjoyed over 1000attendees.

I helped establish the 201V2-V4 Sight andHearing Foundation and chaired the Board for many years. I also spent four years onVictoria’s Crime Stoppers Board, being the Lions representative from its inception.

– Continued above right


NIGEL JENY“I have seen the power of Lions to change people’ s lives during my involvementwith LCIF grants programs. I believe there is more Lions can accomplish. With our100th Anniversary celebrations we can showcase ourselves in our communities togrow and strengthen our organisation”.

Nigel is a Londoner.Community service has always been part of Nigel’s life. In his youth he joined

Rotaract and organised tombola stalls at the hospital fete, painting rooms for oldladies and car rallies with other Rotaract Clubs around the UK.

It was in Rotaract he met his wife, Genevieve, an Australian Rotaractor on thetraditional – for the 1970s – European excursion. Both Nigel and Genevieve grewup in community service as their parents were in Rotar y. They were both veryinvolved in the growth of Rotaract in the UK, speaking at club meetings and DistrictConventions. Nigel was Convention Chairman for the 1st National RotaractConvention.

Home was first in Brisbane where they were married in 1975. In 1977 he wasinvited by his manager, a Lion, to join the new Lions Club of Brisbane-Pinelands.

In Australia, Nigel’s career was in the oil industr y. Using his mechanicalengineering degree, he joined Esso and progressed to marketing management.After several years Nigel was transferred to head office in Sydney – Genevieve, twogirls, one boy and a ver y large dog came too.

Nigel transferred to the Lions Club of Manly . Here he was also involved in thelocal community outside Lions as a Level 2 Soccer coach, Netball chauffeur andspectator and served on the school P&C executive fundraising committee.

Since their retirement, Nigel and Genevieve combine attending InternationalConventions with a trip to Spain. Nigel inherited his parents’ retirement house there.

They spend Australian winters in thewarmth. It is a place they know well as theyvisited his Mum and Dad many times whileliving in London.

Nigel is an active member of Manly –currently Cake Chairman.

In 2004-5 Nigel was District Governor ofN5 – Sydney and Norfolk Island – achieving100% District Governor Award and a Districtmembership of over 2300.

In 2006 he was appointed by the Councilof Governors as the National Chairman forLCIF.

In 2008 he was asked by LCI Chicago to take the new position of LCIF MultipleDistrict Co-ordinator for Australia. This was a three-year appointment leading ateam of 19 LCIF District Co-ordinators which Nigel super vised. He did it with suchsuccess, he was asked to do another three years.

In June 2012 Nigel was awarded an O.A.M. in the Queen’s Jubilee BirthdayHonours List. The nomination came from outside Lions – such is his community’ sappreciation of Nigel’s dedication to his civic responsibility.

In July 2015 Nigel was invited onto the LCIF Board of Trustees in Chicago asConstitutional Area VII representative. Nigel is recognised by Club, District andInternational with six Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowships, two InternationalPresidential Medals and the ultimate in acknowledgments – the highest award inLionism – Ambassador of Goodwill.

for International DirectorFollowing a term as District Governor of 201V2 in 1980/81, I was elected the

next year as the second youngest Council Chairman in the histor y of our MD201.Internationally, I was a member of the Sydney 2000 Convention Committee, and

was a member of the Bid Committee for the Melbourne 2020 InternationalConvention. I was a member of the Campaign Committee for the election of Barr yPalmer to lnternational 2nd Vice President. In 2014 I was Vice Chairman of theElections Committee in Toronto and last year ser ved on the Sergeant at ArmsCommittee. Currently, I am Constitutional Area 7 Vice Chairman for the 2017Centennial Action Committee.

Lions have generously honoured me with a number of awards, including two

International President’s Medals, Life Membership of LCl, a Melvin JonesFellowship, a James D. Richardson Award, and Life Membership of the AustralianPast Governors Association, as well as numerous District awards.

Throughout my life in business and Lions, I have always had the support of mywife Barbara and our children and, for that, I am very thankful.

Barbara and I are totally committed to do what we can to enhance and growour wonderful organisation and, if elected, I undertake to fulfil my duties to thebest of my ability.

We ServePCC Lion Bruce Hudgson

GARY PARKERI have a strong and long-held belief that Lions have unlimited potential to makethe world a better place. With imagination, vision and working together we canovercome any challenge.

“Make Today Count” will be my theme. We need to reflect on the many amazingachievements that have gone before us because members took the attitude ofMake Today Count to create a better tomorrow by the work they have done. Let usbe challenged to bring new projects to our clubs.

I would welcome the opportunity to ser ve as your International Director forConstitutional Area 7 and use my extensive Lions and business experience to helpcreate a bright future of Lions.Lions Life: I may have met you when I was District Governor to District 201N2 orwhen I was chosen as Council Chairman by the 2013-2014 District Governors. Orour paths may have crossed when Australia’s first International President Lion Barr yPalmer and Lion Anne visited in my time as Council Chairman.

I have been involved with the Lions Club of Canberra Valley since 1995. I amcurrently the Secretary and over the years have been Club President, Secretary andTreasurer as well as ser ving on numerous Committees. Right now I am District201N2’s GMT Coordinator and Centennial Coordinator and ser ve on the Lions YouthHaven Board, a wonderful project in the Canberra region.

Before all this I was in Apex, even serving as a District Governor before leaving in1988.

Being involved with Lions and the community is what we all do and it has givenme a solid understanding of Lions from club right through to international level. Business Life: I plan to take a practical approach to the role of International

Director. I have worked in a range of jobs andrun several businesses over the years,including on the South Coast of NSW and inCanberra. Along the way I gained valuableexperience in business administration,people, organisational and projectmanagement, dispute resolution, customerrelations and communications and strategicplanning.

Lois and I will bring to this role the abilityto communicate issues surrounding our localorganisation and to strongly represent eachLions member and their needs. We commit torepresent Lions across Constitutional Area 7 conscious of the workings of theInternational Board and would welcome the opportunity to ser ve as yourInternational Director for 2016-2018.Recognition: I have been recognised for Lions ser vice at Club, District andMultiple District level and I am a proud Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and aWilliam Tresise Awardee. I was fortunate enough to receive an InternationalPresident’s Medal.

Throughout my Lions and career journey I have been lucky to have the supportof my wife Lois – we have been married 42 years. It has been a team effort all theway and one which would continue in ser ving you and other Lions whilerepresenting your needs at the international level.

I seek your support to become International Director for 2016-2018.


24 Lion

LIONSOUT AND

ABOUT

ON THE WATER: Melbourne man Karl Licis was lost for words on being presented with a $36,574 Haines Hunter 495runabout complete with fishing and safety gear, first prize in the Rye club’s raffle in conjunction with Bayview Marine of Chel seaHeights. The raffle raised $55,000-plus.

PICK-UP PATROL: Sydney’s Kings Langley Lions go on safari for rubbish as part ofAdopt-a-Road, a quarterly rubbish-collecting program of Blacktown City Council. The clubhas been involved in the prog ram for more than 20 years.

SIZZLERS: Lionsonoz member Trish Hyett and husband Syd take a breakfrom sizzling sausages with Ingleburn Lions at a fun-run at the For est LawnMemorial Park. The event raised $20,000-plus for breast cancer research.

WELL DESERVED DINNER: V6’s Finley Lions ‘take five’ from preparing a roast dinner meal forBlazeAid volunteers pulling down burnt fences and putting up new ones after a bushfir e at Barnawarthain December. The BlazeAid volunteers worked right up to early April.

HIGH PRAISE: Mount Gambier Lion Robin Conboy collectsa Citizen of the Year Award from Mayor Andrew Lee for histireless work helping others over 60 years.


April - May 2016 25

LONG SERVICE: There was much celebrating when Adelaide’s ModburyLions celebrated their 40th birthday. Here long-servers Charter PresidentMerv Keenihan (40 years) and Alan Zwar (45 years; he was previously atanother club) receive awards from President Bob Gregory.

TRAVEL AID: Goulburn City Lion Dave King and Ruth Doggett of Can Assisthand over 115 fuel vouchers valued at $30 each to Ian McMurdo. Thevouchers, to Goulburn’s Merino Fuels, are for cancer patients who need totravel regularly to Canberra for radiation treatment.

HAPPY EVA: Eva Klinovski, 7, is ahappier little girl following theprovision of a Lions-funded SoundfieldSystem at her Tea Tree Gully school inSouth Australia. Local Lions providedthe system with Australian LionsFoundation support. The systemallows Eva, who suffers from AuditoryProcessing Disorder (APD), SensoryProcessing Disorder and Dyslexia, tobetter hear and understand herteacher. This is only the beginning forEva, the Soundfield System will becarried with her throughout her schoolyears, improving the general quality ofher life.

GRINNING WINNERS: Brittany Amor and Isabel Quinlan are all smiles afterbeing named overall winner and public speaking winner r espectively in V1-4club Sunbury Hume’s Youth of the Year. Both attend Sunbury College.

In 1994 the Lions Club of Tamworth Peel Valley Inc. instigated an awardto honour people involved in Countr y Music who have used their musicaltalents to give community service in a voluntary capacity.

Nominations are called from Lions clubs throughout Australia and this yearDarryl and Robyn Freiberg received the 23rd P.V.L.C. Australian Country MusicCommunity Service Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Darryl and Robyn were nominated by the Lions Club of Boonah Inc. in southernQueensland.

The presentation to Darryl and Robyn’s granddaughter, Becc Holdorf (picturedabove) took place live on air on Tamworth Toyota Festival FM 106.1 earlier this year.

Darryl and Robyn have been involved in countr y music most of their lives andwere foundation members of the Boonah Countr y Music Club.

The Freiberg family are regular organisers and performers at countr y musicevents and involved in fundraising for many organisations.

Darryl and Robyn received a distinctive mounted Tamworth “Dunny” created byrenowned local ceramic artist Fred Hillier and a cheque for $500, which theypromptly donated to the Fassifern Blue Care charity .

Country duo take off Tamworth “Dunny”


Lion26

It was Western Australian club Falcon’s first kids fishing contest and it didn’ttake long to hook contestants and fish.

Registrations peaked at 110 and the first fish was taken soon after the 8am starting

time.

Local Fishing experts Steve, Nick, Jai and Ashley spent hours at Falcon Bay offering

advice and filming, and new TV show Perth Fishing was also there.

Falcon Lions are already busy planning next year’ s event.

First-up contest a winner, hook line & sinker!


April - May 2016 27

Around Q1’s Rochedale/Springwood club,Peter Massey has been regarded as a legendfor a long time.

Now it’s official.At a recent function Peter was presented with a

‘Local Heroes Award’ for his services to Lions andthe Hearing Impaired.

Peter, a Q1 Lion for more than 20 years, puthimself through university, gaining qualifications inseveral scientific and medical fields, despite beingprofoundly deaf

He gained under-graduate and post-graduatehonours in psychology and physiology and has hadAustralian and international registration in cytology.

His career included research assistant, a tutorand casual lecturer in physiology, animal physiologyand cytology at the University of Queensland andGriffith University, CSIRO working in pain &behaviour-bovine (tick research) cell biology, RoyalWomen’s Hospital in cytology and established theCytology Service for the QML on the North Coast ofQueensland.

For 10 years Peter, accompanied by his LionsHearing Dog, Sandy, spoke to community groups onthe benefits to the hearing impaired of owning aLions Hearing dog.

Peter and Sandy raised many thousands ofdollars for this Lions program and were well known

through south-east Queensland. Despite his heavy Lions involvement, Peter was a

volunteer secretary/treasurer for Better HearingAustralia (Queensland Branch), a support group forthe hearing impaired. He founded a branch inLogan City and intends to open another branch inRedcliffe, north of Brisbane.

A living legend

Santa’s little Lions helpers

CREDIT WHERE DUE: Lion Peter is presentedwith his Local Heroes Award by Dr Jim Chalmers, thefederal member for Rankin.

Christmas might have come and gone butmany young children around Melbourne’sVermont are still treasuring letters fromFather Christmas.

The letters came from the kindly old gent toVermont Primary School courtesy of Vermont Lions.

The club has been involved in Santa letters fornearly 40 years and has encouraged the conceptamong other clubs Australia wide.

Clubs devise their own method of distributingletters. Some approach local schools andkindergartens and find that teachers are happy to

arrange for children to write a letter to FatherChristmas. They pass the letters to their Lions clubthat sees that the children get a personalised reply .

It can be made a small fundraiser by askingparents, friends or relatives to donate $3 for theirchild to receive a letter. Books of vouchers, likeraffle tickets, can be supplied to facilitate this.

Some small communities arrange a collectionpoint where letters can be “posted”. Replies can beprovided as a community ser vice or a donation canbe requested.

For Christmas 2015:• 43 clubs spread throughout ever y Stateparticipated.• 12,682 letters were distributed.• Best clubs were Moorabbin L.C. (V5) andMordialloc-Mentone L.C. (V5) with 1300 letterseach.

Project Chairman Kingsley Fiske thanked clubsthat supported the project in 2015 and asks clubsecretaries to look out for 2016 promotionalmaterial in August.

Enquiries: [email protected] or 0409 355216.

HO HO: Letters to Father Christmas (L.T.F.C.) DistrictChairman James Livingston and Pauline Bromley ar ehard at work.


LCIF ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15

Lion28

Improving local communities

Through its Humanitarian grants, LCIF providesmatching funds to support Lions’ efforts to improvevital public service institutions and programs in theirlocal communities.

In Guatemala, Rio Blanco’s elementary schoolwas struggling to accommodate its 100 students,and offered only one toilet for students and staff toshare. The Lions of District 114-M in Austriasecured a US$51,000 Standard grant from LCIF toconstruct a new school building with fourclassrooms, a sports area, functioning restroomsand a storage room. Situated on land donated tothe municipality of Joyabaj, the school is owned bythe people of Rio Blanco.

The Austrian Lions ran a successful fundraisingcampaign, raising more than US$110,000. Fundsraised by the Lions that weren’t used forconstruction were put into a scholarship fund tohelp the school’s top graduates attend secondar yschool in the provincial capital.

“I appreciate the generosity of Lions for financingthat primary school for our students here in RioBlanco,” says Florencio Carrascosa, the mayor of

Joyabaj. The Lions make education possible, andeducation means hope for a future. We are veryproud and thankful.”

Supporting youth LCIF’s Lions Quest program teaches charactereducation, bullying prevention, drug awareness andservice-learning to students through grade 12.

Cooper Village in Omaha, Nebraska, is a juvenileresidential psychiatric treatment facility for studentswith severe behaviour disorders such as attentiondeficit hyperactive disorder, bipolar disorder, severe

depression, conduct disorder and oppositionaldefiant disorder. It uses the Lions Quest Skills forAdolescents curriculum for its PersonalDevelopment class, which is required each day ineach classroom.

“We love the curriculum because it is much morethan drug prevention education,” says Ruth Woll, aLions Quest teacher formerly at Cooper Village. “Itstarts with lessons on how to communicateeffectively if students want to be heard in a positiveway, which so many of our kids need. They get toknow each other and learn how to talk respectfully

LCIF enjoys a banner yearAs chairperson of Lions Clubs

International Foundation (LCIF), I amhonoured to present to you some of myfavourite stories from the 2014-2015Annual Report. These stories highlight thepersonal impact our Foundation madelast year. Congratulations to PastInternational President Barry Palmer on afantastic year of service and to you,Lions, for your unwavering support of ourFoundation.

– Joe PrestonLCIF Chairperson 2015-2016

Immediate Past International President

A Messagefrom theChairperson

Lions, you never ceaseto amaze me. When Ibecame chairpersonof Lions ClubsInternationalFoundation, I expectedto spend the yearencouraging you tofollow your dreams.Instead, you spent theyear inspiring me withyour selfless serviceand generous hearts. Thank you to all who supported LCIF this past year . I have seenfirsthand the impact you have made, and I know now just how much Lions and LCIF canaccomplish together.

Without your kindness and generosity, there would be more children at risk for drug use, fewerchildren would have access to life-saving vaccines, the fear of blinding disease would be a reality formore people and there would be less support for people in need following disasters. Every day, you liveup to our ‘We Serve’ motto. You continue to prove that love and compassion can overcome fear andisolation. Every day, you make our world a better place and give people ever ywhere the tools they needto realise their dreams.

Together with our partners, we are making significant strides and impacting more lives than we couldalone. Alongside Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Measles & Rubella Initiative, we have preventedmillions of measles deaths. Working with the World Health Organization, we are getting closer toeliminating preventable causes of blindness. Our partnerships with Johnson & Johnson Vision CareCompanies and VSP Global are bringing eye health to more children than ever before. In collaborationwith the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Lions Quest is expanding in Europe, bringingpositive life skills to youths in even more countries.

These partnerships are incredibly valuable, but LCIF could not accomplish any of these feats withoutthe commitment of Lions around the world. This report will give you a glimpse at the dreams that wehave turned into realities this year. As you read this report, look back on the projects and programs thathave given you such pride and give careful consideration to how you and your club will continue tomake dreams come true in the future. Barry J. Palmer

LCIF Chairperson, 2014-2015

LCIF built this schoolin Rio Blanco.

LCIF 2014-2015 Chairperson Palmer assists with disaster r elief in Thailand.


29April - May 2016

to each other. Then it moves on to showing kids theimportance of self-confidence with lessonsdesigned to show them how special they are andhelp them build self-confidence.

“So many of our students come to us having hadlittle success in schools, their homes and thecommunity. I love the way the curriculum helps thestudents build their emotional and social skills. Eachunit has great lessons designed to teach studentsabout emotions and how to positively deal withthem, all designed to help kids have better lives.

“I smile each time I think of Andy, a known gangmember. When one student picked on another, Andyreminded him that he didn’t ‘have to blow outJohn’s candle to make his burn brighter’.

“The service-learning unit concerned mebecause our students live behind locked doors andare placed with us because they are not ready to bereleased into the community. They were excited,and I was pleasantly surprised by their talents andsense of responsibility when they tried to teacheach other how to check and change thetransmission fluid in a staff member’s car.

“The lessons are vital and too often absent fromthese kids’ lives. The lessons not only teach the

dangers of drugs but also teach and help thempractice daily the skills needed to make positivechoices in their lives. Making learning fun andhands-on is how we reach our difficult population,so this curriculum is perfect for us.”. Names here have been changed to protect priv acy

Combatting measles LCIF provides financial and volunteer support toreduce measles deaths worldwide by increasingaccess to measles immunisation where needed most.

The Lions of Zambia participated in AfricanVaccination Week for the second time, in closepartnership with the local Ministr y of CommunityDevelopment, Mother and Child Health. Lionsprinted and distributed 20,000 flyers all across thecountry. The Lions used the week as a platform toeducate parents about vaccines and to discuss withfamilies the importance of routine immunisation.They visited homes, markets and bus stops,interacting with community members one-on-oneand also using megaphones to relate theimportance of immunisation. Lions also worked withthe Ministry as it carried out a number of publichealth interventions in conjunction with African

Vaccination Week includingvaccination clinics. By the end ofthe week, 141 Lions hadassisted Ministry medical teamsin vaccinating more than 7,850children.

“Lions were foot soldiers,spearheading publicity,distributing flyers and displayingbanners, and helped with crowdcontrol,” says Past DistrictGovernor Christine Kasonde ofZambia. “Where there is a need,there is a Lion!”

Saving sight Lions save sight in many ways.LCIF supports their sight-saving

efforts through programs like SightFirst, which helpsLions build comprehensive eye care systems inunder-served communities to prevent blindness andvision loss and care for those who are blind orvisually impaired.

Ensight is a nationally accredited, low-visionclinic in Colorado, which the Fort Collins Lions Clubhas supported since the clinic was established in2001. In 2013, LCIF awarded a US$200,050 grantto fund a three-year SightFirst project to expandlow-vision mobile services throughout Colorado. The“Onsite” van travels around rural Colorado providinglow-vision rehabilitation services. More than 290low-vision patients have received ser vices, and 100Lions have volunteered.

“Before, I walked around hunched down, notwanting to do anything for fear of being hurt, ” saysMaurine Sanford, a grant beneficiary. “But thanks toEnsight and the Lions of Colorado, I am able tostand up straight and move forward to the nextphase of my life.”

Providing disaster relief The LCIF Emergency grant program providesfinancial support to Lions and other partnersengaged in disaster response and recover y efforts.Major Catastrophe Grants provide significant fundsfor catastrophes with major international impact.

Shambhu Bahadur Bhandari, 76, had watchedhelicopters fly over his village in Nepal after thedevastating earthquake last April, but none came tohelp. The local Lions club was the first to offer anyassistance to his village. He approached the Lionswith tears in his eyes, a bag of food in one handand blanket and tent in the other. He hugged theLions and expressed his gratitude that now his twoyoung grandchildren could eat while he continuedsearching for food and shelter.

“With his words, we Lions were quiet and couldnot talk,” says Past Council Chairperson PankajPradhan of Multiple District 325. “We watched eachother. It was so painful time for us, but it was also aLCIF is reducing deaths from measles.

LionsQuestteachescharactereducationin schools.

Grant beneficiaryMaurine Sanford.


YOUTH OF THE YEAR

30

By the time you read this, the NationalFinal for the current year is imminent. Wewill have had approximately 2000 youngAustralians participate this year. Whilstjust six of that number will progress tothe National Final, all will have gainedimmeasurable benefits and experiencesfrom their participation.

Each of last year’s state champions hasreflected on their year from the time of each oftheir club finals. The impact of their time in Youthof the Year are published in full on the YOTYpages of our website. Here are some extracts:

Grace Williams (T District)What made the Youth of the Year Program soimportant to me is that my character began toform from round to round. I started to definewho I was and what was important to methrough interviews and impromptu questions.The motto, ‘we serve’ influenced me in apositive way. My desire for communitydevelopment increased in strength. Exposure tothe good works of Lions motivated me to domore for my community.

Emma Wiggins (V Districts)It’s the people you meet who make theAustralian Youth of the Year Program theunique and inspiring journey that it is. At eachlevel of the competition you have the privilege

of meeting like-minded people of your own agewho, despite their variety of career aspirations,are committed to making a positive impact onthe world they live in. As you meet them, youknow that they are people you will be walkingbeside when our generation steps up tobecome the leaders of our countr y. Theseyoung people inspire each other andstrengthen each other’s resolve to make adifference in the world. To have had theopportunity to engage with these remarkablepeople from around Australia, makes me feelvery fortunate.

Hannah Worsley (N Districts)I feel that Lions International, through thisprogram has done an incredible job of

developing my skills, opinions, and beliefs. Theprocess each participant goes through at theirrespective levels ensures that the competition,and choosing a winner, is not the sole priority.Rather, it has been duly recognised that suchendeavours should be targeted more broadly,seeking to foster independence, publicspeaking skills, and general knowledge also.

After attending the Lions International YouthCamp at Rotorua the group were the

guests of the Lions Club of Brisbane Bardon forsix days. They were shown the sights ofBrisbane and visited and toured: the ABCstudios, Lions Medical Research Centre, CityHall, Sea World, dolphin feeding Tangalooma,Australia Zoo and the Lone Pine KoalaSanctuary to mention a few. Our appreciationis extended to the Bardon Club, its membersand particularly to PDG Brian McGrath.

Last July Hannah Worsley used her awardfor being the national Public Speaking winnerto travel to London to attend the LondonInternational Youth Science Forum. This year,Molly McInerney, overall winner, 2012 (Perth)will take her award by travelling to Spain.Club Finals

The Youth of the Year national sub-committee has resolved that we would like tosee as many participants as possible progress

as far as far as possible in the program.Statistical reporting has shown some clubshave as many as 12 contestants in the clubfinal. Just one of these students will progressto the next level. With so many contestants, thejudges’ task is immense and it infers that twoor three quality contestants are denied theopportunity of progressing further. If your clubhas recruited six or more students, have youthought about having a joint final with one, oreven two, other clubs? Or, perhaps ‘handball’contestants to other clubs. I am aware of aclub which recruited 32 contestants andallocated them to six clubs. Three clubs inMount Gambier recently held a joint-final, withthree contestants progressing to the next level.

heartwarming moment for us. We are so fortunate thatwe got that opportunity to ser ve those people at thattime in that place. We are always proud to be Lions andknow that we really can make a difference in society .”

In their own words“Thank you, Lions Clubs of Brazil. Thank you for

believing in us as athletes. Thank you for giving usopportunities to shine. You may be surprised, but youwill not be disappointed!”– Leticia Elias, athlete,Special Olympics Brazil

“The solutions to cure diseases lay not only inmedicine, but also in the attitude towards thecommunity. LCIF, thank you very much for your supportof our community.”– Dr. Juan Carlos Terán, Quito losOlivos Medical Center, Ecuador

“When I was told that a surger y camp would beorganised, I was pregnant. Two days after the deliver y, Idecided to get operated and my husband brought me tothe health centre on our donkey. Now my eye doesn’tmake me suffer and I can take care of my baby .”– Mariam, trichiasis surgery beneficiary, Chad

Digital LIONRead the complete LCIF Annual Report at

lionmagazine.org

Shambhu BahadurBhandari of Nepalgratefully receives foodfrom Lions.

Surgery beneficiary, Mariam.


April - May 2016 31

LEOS ROAR

Glen Innes Leos are looking formore ring-pulls to add to theircollection for donation.

Over the past year the NSWclub has donated more than 60kof aluminium ring-pulls, with themoney raised going straight to theLions Spinal Cord Foundation.

Leos Club Coordinator CarolynMcClelland expressed hergratitude to the community forcontinually donating their ring-pulls.“For every dollar we donate,an extra $3 is given,” she said.

The Glen Innes club wasestablished in 1986 and is a sub-branch of Glen Innes Lions.

Courtesy Glen InnesExaminer

KEEPING TAB: Glen Innes LeoVice President James Cameron withhis fellow collectors.

Worth their weightin ring-pulls

It was a case of ‘Art in a Box’when more than 200 childrenunder 12 transformed emptyshoe boxes into works of art.

The holiday activity was staged

by South Australia’s Noarlunga-

Morphett Vale Lions at the

Woodcroft Town Centre & Mall in

Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

Club members, partners and

participants’ guardians supervised

the free activity and the shopping

centre paid the club an appearance

fee that covered all costs.

Promising Picassos: Boxes and boxes of young art

ARTFUL AFFAIRS: This young artist(above) shared her skills at the ‘Art in aBox’ event, while (far left) Lion Petraoffered some artistic advice.



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