Issue 3: September 2012

Transcription

1 Issue 3: September 2012 District Governor Doug Winterflood Another month has flown past and once again I have been overwhelmed by the amount of service work we, as Lions, are involved with in this District. My month commenced with the start of the Youth Exchange Camp at Camp Kanga. What a lovely bunch of youth we were honoured to cater for at the Camp this year. All reports that I received were that the group was well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed their various activities both within and away from the Camp. The white water rafting proved to be a big hit. My appreciation for their organisation and work to make this Camp successful must go to PDG Pat Lynch and his team but a special thanks must go to Lion Sue Ruddick, not only did she receive the biggest cheer at the final dinner/concert but Sue ensured that all activities happened seamlessly and did a grand job for the entire week as activities Director. Well done, Sue. A special thanks to the Lion Clubs of Bowen, Whitsunday and Proserpine for their support of the Camp activities and thanks also to Kay and Ray Spiller for the Camp catering. It was also great to see our Leo of the Year Nathan and the Zone 9 Youth of the Year winner Caitlin taking part in the Camp. The other zones are hereby challenged to support their YOTY winners or runners up to partake in next year s camp to increase the Australian content of the Camp. The Castle Hill 50 th anniversary was a great night of celebration and proved to me that we should all let our hair down once in a while following our magnificent community service efforts. The night was full of reminiscences and President Bruce and his team did a great job in preparing the celebrations for this auspicious occasion. Thanks Bruce and the Castle Hill Club for a memorable night. Following this great night it was off on the great Western adventure to visit the far flung clubs of our District and I was overwhelmed by what I found in each of the centres visited. Charters Towers held a combined meeting and Zone Chairman Allan had organised Charters Towers Host, Charters Towers Gold City and Dalrymple Regional clubs to attend a combined meeting. All clubs are very busy within the community and have a plethora of activities in coming months. It was disappointing that Charters Towers Queenton Club were unable to attend the meeting, however, I have written to the President personally to determine their situation. The 201Q2 District Bulletin On to Richmond and en-route passed a well appointed Lions Park at Prairie, this Park was in great condition with one of the largest bores I have seen as its central attraction. The park is 30+ km from Hughenden and as that club is now defunct it was great to see the Prairie park in such great condition. A communication breakdown meant that the Richmond Club had not received our messages about the visit and I spoke to President Matt by phone but nothing had been prepared, I was unable to get accommodation in the town for the night so was unable to even have a social meeting with Matt. Maybe we can organise something at a later date. And so I travelled to Julia Creek a day early and this gave me a chance to catch up on some reports and to have a look around the local area. I attended the Julia Creek meeting on 1 st August and met the members with President Phil. They are a busy club and are preparing to add to their Lions Park with the addition of new toilets and a shed for storage and meetings. I have my doubts about some of their fundraisers though, I m not sure a Dirt and Dust Festival would work in many places except Julia Creek. Once again I was thrown out of town. Winter is not the best time to visit western clubs as the Mexicans from colder climes are cluttering up all of the available accommodation. So off on an ever narrowing track to Normanton and Karumba. The view from the Sunset bar in Karumba is awe inspiring and a great sight at the end of a dusty track. I spent a lot of the time in Karumba doing paperwork and planning. On Friday 3 rd I met with President Ian and the members for dinner. The club currently has 20 members and once again is active in their community and have a great Lions Park at Karumba Point. On the road again en route to Cloncurry and no fuel at the Burke and Wills roadhouse.nice to get there and then find out so I limped into Cloncurry and filled a very dry fuel tank so that I could find Don & Helen Govan s residence. I attended the Cloncurry meeting on Monday 6 Aug and was happy to present a Melvin Jones Fellowship award to Lion Bill Hurle following 25 years service to Lions. The Club also made donations to the Chaplaincy service at the Cloncurry State School, their provision of breakfasts at the High School is a great initiative especially as 65% of the students are indigenous. They also presented money to the Local PCYC. I spent a spare day with Don & Helen who graciously showed me local areas of interest including the old Mary Kathleen mine site.

2 Up the hill to Mt Isa and a meeting with President Ron and the Mt Isa Lions Club. The club, although small in numbers are busy and active in their community. When I visited they were busy preparing for their Mailman rodeo and a busy time cooking chips for this event. And so, I left the Isa and headed home, 11 hours and 20 minutes for 1130km and a welcome pillow. Was a great fortnight and so good to see such active clubs in the west. I was absolutely delighted to receive a call from Council Chairperson Lou on Wednesday 15 th to advise that International President Wayne Madden and his wife Linda would be attending our Convention in Townsville in November. Great excitement for me and more work to complete the arrangements for this visit but I believe that it is a great coup for our District. Since then I have visited Rollingstone and Townsville Mt Stuart Clubs with Cabinet this weekend. Have a great month Developing opportunities through Service. Doug A man went into a bar in a high rise. He saw another man take a pill, take a drink, walk to the window and jump out, fly around for a minute and zip back into the bar. As the amazed newcomer watched, the man repeated this. Finally the man asked if he could have a pill for $1000.The flier reluctantly gave in, took the cash and surrendered the pill. The man took the pill, took a drink, went to the window, and jumped out only to fall. The bartender walked over to the flier at the bar and, wiping a glass, said, "You sure are mean when you're drunk, Superman." This is from when Doug Winterflood came and presented Norrien Hinds, the Collinsville President with his banner and badge. Good night was had even though there were many of the Collinsville Lions out for the count cause of illness. Doug did make the comment that it was good to visit because there were only about 5 faces around the table that he had seen before as we have had a wonderful response to the recruiting trailer that came to our town at the Melbourne Cup fair last year. We have asked if it could be again brought back to the town in November this year. The Salmons moving to a larger waterhole. A farewell BBQ for the Salmons was held on the 12th August at the Marine Club. It was attended by over 40 guests including DG Doug Winterflood. Coral & Robin have been with the Lions Club of Whitsunday for 13 years and are well known in the district. The Salmons are leaving us for the Noosa area, they will be sadly missed by our club.

3 WANTED. Camp Kanga is in desperate need of an 8 ft, or there abouts, refrigerated bain-marie (salad bar). If anyone has one spare or if they know of one going cheap we would be more than happy to talk to them Cheers Ray Townsville Men s Shed Update Townsville Northern Suburbs Lions Club is a proud supporter of the Townsville Men's Shed, and President Aussie Lanphier was present at the official launch to present the club's donation of $ For the past year, President Aussie has challenged the club members to focus on Men's Health issues, particularly Depression and Prostate Cancer. The Club has suppported the Black Dog Ride, Lions Prostate Cancer Awareness and Beyond Blue, and some members have been closely involved with the Vietnam Veterans' Association who have been working to establish a Men's Shed in Townsville. Earlier this month, the Men's Shed was officially launched in its new premises on the corner of Charters Towers Road and Ingham Road, and it will soon be 'open for business'. Initially it will have facilities for lapidary, small engine repairs and some woodwork projects. Over time, it will expand to include more workshop areas and options. 'Men's Sheds' are a growing phenomenon and are popping up in cities and towns all over Australia, as they are an effective way of combating depression in males. They provide a positive environment where men can go and use their skills, learn new skills, and have the support and friendship of like-minded people. The donation from Northern Suburbs Lions will be used to provide equipment for the Men's Shed, and the club will continue to be involved as the centre expands in the future. Change of address: Herberton: abbottfamily@hotmail.com Tolga: tolgalionsclub@gmail.com Roll up, roll up! This, the fourth year of the Malanda Lions Club billycart races, will be the most important yet- the races this year will help establish disability accommodation in Malanda, a worthy cause toward which we hope many people will support. On September 16 th they also play host to the 2012 Queensland Billycart Titles. Billycart drivers of all ages, from five to seventy five years of age have participated, so too Mayors, Members of Parliament and Councillors. There are numerous age classes, a masters, a novelty class, and special cup events like businesshouse, media, Lions, celebrity and school. Any school student nominated for an age class can race in the cup for their school at no extra charge. The annual Lions Cup is an invitation event where (for $25 donation) District Lions can race carts supplied by Malanda Club against each other or have someone race on their behalf, for the prestigious Lions Cup. Tully Lions Club are current champions. The Formula One event is the Bendigo Bank Open Class, last year attracting 21 entries racing for a large cash prize and Champion trophy. The legendary free gravity workshop on Saturday night caters for gravity junkies with a $5 dinner and camping. On race day there are plenty of activities for those not racing and food/drink is available. Nomination fees start at $5 and entry forms are readily available at sports stores and service stations on the Tablelands or ; malandabillycarts@gmail.com or on facebook at Malanda Billycart Races. Phone enquiries to

4 $10,000 to the Senior Citizens and the Tully Lionesses donated a further $11,000. President Smith said she was very happy to receive the funding. Loyal readers will recall the Cassowary Coast Regional Council declared the old hall as a cyclone shelter as Cyclone Yasi approached the region despite an admission by Mayor Bill Shannon that the building was not cyclone-rated. The old hall was totally destroyed by the cyclone. Congratulations to Lion Aussie Lanphier from Townsville Northern Suburbs who was recently nominated for Townsville s Senior of the Year 2012, pictured above with Mayor Jenny Hill. This award recognises the hard work contributed to the community by those who are still young at heart. Unfortunately Aussie did not take the crown this year but the calibre of entrants was pretty amazing to say the least. The council provided a great day out for the seniors including lunch and entertainment and there was also some market stalls for the people to browse. Lions District 201Q2 LCIF Coordinator Past District Governor John Muller advised that the funding was made available as part of the Foundation s Queensland Disaster Reconstruction Program. PDG John said he was delighted that Lions was able to assist with this reconstruction, which will ensure that the Tully And District Senior Citizens will again have their own meeting place and facilities that will be of benefit to Tully and surrounding areas. It is hoped that they will be able to resume all of their previous activities as soon as the new premises have been completed. Lion Sue Ruddick Townsville Northern Suburbs TULLY TIMES NEWSPAPER 31 ST JULY 2012 WELCOME DONATION Tully Lions Secretary Irene Braddick and Lions Club International Foundations District Coordinator PDG John Muller presented a cheque for $30,600 to Tully Senior Citizens president Joyce Smith and Secretary Lesley Hardy to go towards the rebuilding of the Senior Citizens Hall in Tully. The Tully Lions donated a further All Lions, partners and friends are encouraged to Return to Camp Kanga for a Gala Fun weekend on Saturday/ Sunday October 6 th and 7 th, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our wonderful District asset. Come and have a Fun weekend Free accommodation small charges for meals & drinks. Just bring your sleeping gear, pillows & a towel etc. Caravan sites can also be booked. Wanted : Cricket Teams from all Zones, also Clubs where possible Arrive Saturday morning (or earlier) - for check in, fellowship then lunch Saturday afternoon BIG BASH Cricket match (user friendly girls & boys!)

5 and bocce match challenge- Team prizes Followed by unveiling of District artefact displays and honour boards recognising the pioneers of Kanga Saturday evening - catered dinner + entertainment + Team Trivia challenge plenty of fellowship + maybe even karaoke for the late nighters Sunday morning breakfast provided, then camp tours OR bird spotting/enviro tour THEN safe trip home Kanga is looking in great order these days with a number of significant upgrades over the last couple of years Lions your Camp Kanga Committee is working hard to ensure a GREAT weekend Come along bring your family, bring your friends, but most of all, be there! Enquiries : 1VDG Gary Kenny kennymky1@optusnet.com.au HAVE YOU BEEN ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE LATELY? LOTS OF NEW FEATURES, INCLUDING A DISTRICT DOCUMENTS PAGE- FIND WHAT YOU RE LOOKING FOR, WHEN YOU NEED IT! 201q2.lions.org.au A notice from our district safety officer- the latest WH&S and disaster relief documents have also been uploaded to the website for your perusal. This is an invitation to come and GET REVVED UP IN TOWNSVILLE at the 201Q2 District Convention from the 23 rd to 25 th of November. Your Pit Crew have been working very hard ever since the 2011 Convention in Atherton to present an affordable and interesting Convention. We want you to get Revved Up about Lions and what we are about. The weekend kicks off with Registration on Friday afternoon. Friday evening sees us at the Holy Spirit School (which is the venue from now until the Closing Ceremony)with registration continuing; and the Welcoming Function organised by the District s Leos. The theme for the night is Greased Lightning, so we want to see you all dressed to suit. Food is provided as well as cocktails. The bar will be operating and the entertainment will be fantastic so prepare for a late night! Saturday begins with the Official Opening, and then we get down to the serious business of the convention. Continuous complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits is being provided by the Northern Suburbs Lionesses, and a Coffee Cart will also be on site. At lunch, those staying will have a packed lunch while others will attend the Lionesses, Partners and Miss Popularity Luncheon at an outside venue. The Partners shopping tour will leave from the luncheon venue and will travel to Stockland to what will be the brand new Myers store. Shop discounts have been arranged with a number of stores. The District Governor s Banquet follows on Saturday night with a Black and White theme. There will be a sumptuous meal, the bar will operate and we will again provide entertainment as well as the crowning of Miss Popularity and Miss Charity. Bus transport has been arranged and will operate from the Bowen Road Motel strip and return. Please note there is an absolute limit of 300 to the Banquet and will be allocated on the basis of the order of registrations received. Sunday begins with a Sausage Sizzle Breakfast provided by Mount Stuart Lions after which the Remembrance Ceremony will take place. The Business Sessions will then continue until we farewell you during the Closing Ceremony. Lunch provided by Castle Hill Lions will be available before your trip home. We would like to acknowledge the financial contribution by the Townsville City Council towards the running of this Convention. So don t get left on the start line; come and GET REVVED UP IN TOWNSVILLE in November. The Grid Girls are bound to make an appearance, but in any case, the Pit Crew are here to look after you. Registration and more information is available on the district website. Gordon Bailey Chief Pit Marshall and Convention Chairman.