Editor s Ramblings (Rumblings?) The Easter Bunny will soon be making his rounds so keep an eye out.

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1 Editor s Ramblings (Rumblings?) The Easter Bunny will soon be making his rounds so keep an eye out. I hope that you enjoyed reading about District happenings in the last edition of Lions Tales as there s been a lot happening around the District. BUT I m not getting articles from clubs Once again I ve gleaned a lot from the District Facebook page so you ARE sending in articles but not to me. HOWEVER, it is almost impossible to copy text from Facebook and usually the only way around that is to re-type it NOT AT ALL EASY. I keep stressing to all that the ONLY address you need to get your story out is: news@lions201v1-4.org.au and this will get your articles to everybody, Facebook INCLUDED. I m also disappointed with clubs who have submitted articles that appear on Facebook and because they re newsworthy, I ed the clubs concerned to get the full story but sadly elicited NO RESPONSE. Comments made on District Facebook postings also appear to have fallen on deaf ears too. From YOUR DG We are delighted to inform you that our District is chartering a new club Melbourne Next Gen during May and I would like to congratulate Lion Sam Tung and his team for their dedication and hard work in forming this new club. Also I would like to extend my appreciation to Global Membership Team (GMT) Coordinator PDG Graeme Lukey, members of the GMT and other Lions who worked behind the scenes for their valuable contribution towards the new club formation. Congratulations to the new Melbourne Next Gen Lions Club Centennial Year Charter President Lion Lawrence Yau. Well done Lions in your work to date. We have formed a new club and one hundred and forty five (145) new centennial members have joined our District. We still have three more months to complete this Lions year. If we work hard for the remaining three months and invite a friend to become Centennial Year Lion, perhaps charter another club and increase our membership by at least by a further 100 centennial members. Please use the remaining three months very efficiently to add more centennial members to our district. The more members we have in our clubs, the more service we can render to our communities. Lions International has been serving communities for the past 100 years to make the world better place for all. We Lions made real a different in many people s lives. We celebrate 100 years of service on 7 June 2017 and we can be very proud of being Lions during this Centennial year. I ask all clubs to take the opportunity to celebrate the landmark Centennial year achievement with your local community on 7 June or perhaps the following weekend. Please ensure that our local communities know that we are completing our 100 years community service on 7 June In the 29 th Annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest our district peace poster sponsored by Melbourne Chinese and created 1

2 by Casey Trinh has been chosen as one of 23 merit award winners. Approximately 600,000 children from 60 countries participated in this year s Peace Poster Contest. The posters were judged at club, district and multiple district levels before reaching the international level, at which point they had been narrowed down to 116 posters. Based on creativity, originality and portrayal of the theme, A Celebration of Peace, the Melbourne Chinese sponsored entry was chosen as one of 23 merit award winners. As such, Casey will receive US$500 and a certificate of merit. The 23 merit award winners are from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Multiple District 300 Taiwan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Thailand and the United States (Pennsylvania). The grand prize winner will be announced at Lions Day with the United Nations on Saturday, March 4. It s a great achievement for our district. Well done and congratulation Peace Poster Chairman Melissa and Melbourne Chinese club. Congratulation and well done Casey Trinh for winning the International Peace Poster merit award. Peace Poster Chairman will give a detailed report about this achievement. During the October 2016 District V1-4 convention Fourteen-year-old Blair Gould, who is battling Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac disease, was awarded the Lions Children of Courage award. Regardless of this life-threatening medical condition, he tries to live a normal teenage life with his parent s support. We lions are supporting Blair with the provision of Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) which enables Blair to monitor his glucose levels 24 hours a day through a sensor that connects to an insulin pump. The CGM provides a more complete picture of blood glucose levels by giving early warning to his parents and medical supporters should there be an issue. The system also provides many other advantages. The 15 th of February saw Lions hand over the system to Blair during a Birchip Lions Club meeting. I would like to thank the Lions club of Reservoir, Australian Lions Foundation, Melbourne Market Lions, Ballan Lioness, Woomelang Lions, Brown Hill Lioness, Sea Lake Lions, Coburg Lions, Broadmeadows Lions, Glenroy Lions, Birchip Lions, Ouyen Lions and Eaglehawk Lions Club for their generous support to successfully complete this project. 2 Lions Tales March 2017 Our District Webmaster and District Governor Elect Malcolm Qualtrough has placed a countdown clock in the District web site to remind us of the time left for our association to complete one hundred years of service to the community. Well done Malcolm. Ten of our district Lions will attend the Regional Leadership Institute in Melbourne in 24_26 February Out of nineteen districts, our district is sending the largest contingent for Regional Leadership training. Well done GLT Coordinator PDG Graham Allen for taking advantage of our regional training program for our district future leaders benefit. DG Naga. Now Hear This Congratulations to Diggers Rest for their assistance with this most wonderful project. Dusty, Australian Lions Hearing Dog. Dusty has been sponsored by the Lions Club of Diggers Rest and he has been training hard for some time now in learning how to assist his new owner with many day to day activities that we take for granted, such as knowing when someone is at the door, when the phone is ringing, if a baby is crying or even if a smoke alarm goes off; bringing her a sense of independence, safety, security and confidence. Dusty will soon be going to meet his new owner in Sunbury and begin his new career and we wish Dusty and his new owner all the best. We would like to give our thanks to the wonderful trainers at Australian Lions Hearing Dogs for their ongoing support, training and caring for Dusty as he embarks upon his journey. Each Lions Hearing Dog costs upwards of $30,000 to train, an amount that

3 can prove daunting to many Australian families which is why we decided to help through donations of money and man hours. We also extend our appreciation to the members and associates of the Diggers Rest Lions Club who will be volunteering their time for a number of weeks to support Dusty and his owner as they settle into their routine, fine tuning their training. Rewarding Times at Nyah Lions Past District Governor, Graham Gaylard presented three Melvin Jones Awards to members of Nyah District Lions Club at their Christmas Break-up. The recipients of the prestigious Lions International award were Andy Day, John Wright and Charter member Peter Cockroft. Andy is currently President of Nyah District and also Zone Chairman. He has been a member of Lions since 1993, being a member of Lake Boga, Swan Hill and now Nyah District. Peter started when the club was formed in 1980 and has been President twice. John joined in 1987 and was Treasurer for many years. walk along Australia s longest jetty. Some photos follow. Left to right- John Wright, Andy Day, Graham Gaylard & Peter Cockroft This was on the bottom of an I received recently: "Kindness lasts forever! What s up with YOTY? From Facebook early January: The 2016 winners from each state have arrived in Perth for six days, following their 10 days at the Lions International Youth Camp at Rotorua. Today in Perth they visited the Perth Mint where they witnessed a gold pour; caught up with some W1 Lions at Hillarys Boat Harbour and played cricket with a group of disabled people. Tomorrow they re off to Busselton to lunch with W2 Lions followed by a Of course by now Clubs will have run their Club Contests and Zone, Region & District Finals for will have been completed. This is a wonderful contest which aims to imbue leadership and citizenship awareness in the youth of the District and Australia. 3

4 Don t ever forget The Youth of Today are Our Leaders of Tomorrow. Youth Exchange Youth exchange is an integral part of Lions Australia and they are always looking for host families and clubs to participate in this wonderful project. There is some information later in this newsletter for a start. But if you need more, you only have to contact your District Chairperson who is none other than PDG Helen Campbell who is available on (03) or Mob: and if all else fails her at: ye@lions201v1-4.org.au Australia Day It seems more and more clubs are getting into the spirit of Australia Day and have hosted a number of events. Great work! Maiden Gully-Marong and Strathfieldsaye Clubs put on breakfasts; Kangaroo Flat participated in a flag-raising ceremony and Glenroy presented awards to volunteers from their community. These are just some of the events that were publicised on the District Facebook page I m sure there were others but they haven t told anyone. Lions International Peace Poster Contest We are very pleased to inform you that Australian National Winner Casey Trinh sponsored by Melbourne Chinese Lions Club has won one of 23 International Peace Poster Merit Awards at the 29th Annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. The grand prize winner will be announced at Lions Day with the United Nations on Saturday, March 4. Congratulations and well done Casey for winning an International Peace Poster Merit Award. Her quote for her entry: We can celebrate eternal peace when people from all walks of life are treated as equals in a free and borderless world united by humanity and compassion. Approximately 600,000 children from 60 countries participated in this year s contest. 4 Lions Tales March 2017 The posters were judged at club, district and multiple district levels before reaching the international level at which point they were narrowed down to 116 posters. Based on creativity, originality and portrayal of the theme, A Celebration of Peace, our District s entry was chosen as one of 23 merit award winners. As such, Casey will receive US$500 and a certificate of merit. The 23 merit award winners are from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Multiple District 300 Taiwan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Thailand and the United States. It s a great achievement for Melbourne Chinese Lions and our district. This is the second winner of an International Peace Poster Merit Award for V Districts. An image of her winning entry appears later in this newsletter. Lions Peace Poster Contest Seeing that we may have piqued your interest - the next contest theme has been released. The theme for is: "The Future of Peace". This is a wonderful contest for children between the ages of years old and if your club would like to sponsor the contest in your area then contact our District Peace Poster Chairperson Melissa Tung who will be only too happy to provide guidance. Melissa is available by at: peace.poster@lions201v1-4.org.au Other contact details are available in the directory. Lions helping Lions Lionsville is a major project of the Lions Club of Essendon an we re delighted to present Essendon Terrace to you. Essendon Terrace is a purpose built retirement complex with spacious apartments and outstanding views of the nearby parkland and Melbourne s CBD. It accommodates ageing in place and is just 5kms from Melbourne s major hospitals. Lionsville is very proud of what we ve achieved in our 50+ years of providing accommodation for retirees and this building is the first of an exciting future for Lionsville. We would like to extend an invitation to fellow Lions to visit our complex to see what we Lions

5 can achieve and should you refer a purchaser, we would be happy to provide your club with a referral fee. Please contact Lionsville office on (03) or sbrown@lionsville.org.au for further information. Caroline Springs SOS You may have seen the appeal from our DG for clubs in the Caroline Springs area asking clubs to support the club while they re-build. This is an appeal to District Clubs to help us with manpower to conduct activities within the Caroline Springs Community. Below are some photos depicting some of the recent activities undertaken to encourage new members to join the club. Something that a car load (3 or 4 Lions) could conduct on a Saturday or Sunday to suit, based on club expertise. Zone 3 Chairman Wayne Buckland is seeking assistance and is co-ordinating club activity through sponsor club Melton. We recognize that this is something over and above your local community commitments but it is hoped that you can share in the rebuilding of Lions in Caroline Springs. This is a significant 100 year project to provide continuity into year 1 of the next 100 years in the Caroline Springs Community. He ll Be Sweet Picture shows Blair Gould, this year Lions Children of Courage Award Winner receiving a Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System from DG Naga at a meeting of Birchip Lions Club the 15 th of February L>R: Lion Keith Barber, President Noel Acreman, DG Naga, Blair Gould, Blair s Mother Rosalie, Lion Noel Fletcher & Blair s Father Darren. Blair has Type 1 Diabetes and also suffers from Celiac disease and despite these lifethreatening ailments he tries to live a normal teenage life and is strongly supported by his parents. Provision of this Glucose Monitoring machine will revolutionize his diabetic control. We Lions donated this monitoring system through the District Governor s Fund. This might be in the form of fitting secure number plates, sausage sizzles, tabletop display of Lions projects, sight screening, etc. 5

6 Heathcote are REALLY Cooking. Lions Tales March 2017 Here s a photo that recently graced the front page of The McIvor Times. It shows Heathcote Lions who supplied Breakfast (Egg & Bacon Rolls) and lunch (Sausage Sizzle) to people from the local rural community at the Inaugural Rural Farmers Expo which was organised by Heathcote & District Community Bank and held at the local RSL on February 2 nd. Photo by Hayley Troy courtesy The McIvor Times. Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. -- Martin Luther King Caroline Springs Community Safety Day The Lions Crimewatch Committee in conjunction with Lions Club of Melton/ Caroline Springs embarked on a Community Safety Day at the Caroline Springs Shopping Centre on Saturday 4 th of March with the purpose of the day to promote the Lions Club of Caroline Springs in an attempt to encourage an increase in membership. Our efforts were supported by Victoria Police, CFA, SES, City of Melton Safety Awareness Team and Lend Lease (Caroline Springs Shopping Centre Management) Projects supported and promoted were Operation Safe Plate, Kids Safe (Don t leave kids in cars program), Driver Reviver and other Crimewatch Speak Committee initiatives. The day was hugely successful with many enquiries about our projects and what our membership aims to achieve in the Community. Lions Club of Melton Members were very proactive in the Shopping Centre complex engaging with the members of the public and handing out brochures about Lions. Lend Lease purchased 8 kidsafe metal signs for placement in the car-parks around the centre. The Bunnings Community Activities Officer also approached us and suggested the Lions Club of Caroline Springs would be most welcome to display material in their stores as part of their Community Involvement initiatives. Lots of rides for the kiddies, plus animal farm, music and of course a very loud Police vehicle amused the children with its sirens and lights. At least 50 vehicles had safe plate screws attached by members of the Victoria Police Community Involvement Team 6

7 We also had a specialist team in attendance checking vehicles to ensure that parents had child restraints fitted within appropriate guidelines. We had a consultant to Melton City Council (Mr Russell Jackson) approach us about a possible twinning initiative with Chinese Clubs. More to follow on this proposal A very worthwhile initiative and well worth the effort by the members who attended who must be congratulated for their dedication to the day Arthur Uren PDG Secretary Lions Crimewatch Speak Up Committee Inc VLF News At the February General Council meeting of the Victorian Lions Foundation it was announced that Baker IDI have added Victorian Lions Foundation Inc to their honour board in the main foyer, under Partnerships. Professor David Dunstan, Head of the Physical Activity lab will be presenting at the ANZI Forum to be held in Ballarat 1-3 September this year and this ties in nicely with Lions International focussing on diabetes and it is great that a project under the VLF umbrella has been approached to present. Crime Watch: Delivery charges for Trauma Bears has now been sorted. Signage for children left in cars has now been released but not all Councils and shopping centres are working together on this. Did you know that under present regulations you can be fined $5,500 if you leave a dog locked in a car but ONLY $1,500 if you leave a child locked in a car. Really??? Safe plates on cars is being promoted again. The Crimewatch board game sold previously is also being re-released through Kidsafe. The major sponsor of Driver-Reviver is now Toll Transport. Point Lonsdale Lions have applied to use this logo where Neighbourhood Watch are no longer operating. National Vision Research Institute: Diamonds are now being utilised as electrodes as they are very bio-compatible. Costs will rise but results will rise substantially. Benefitting most will be people with age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. For the squeamish, there are no pain receptors in the eye, to make the 1024 electrodes needed for resolution high enough to see faces and read. A tiny camera sits in the centre of a pair of glasses and the images are transmitted wirelessly, via a laser, to the diamond electrode device implanted at the back of the eye. This 5mm x 5mm microchip, with 256 diamond electrodes encased in a diamond box, sits against the back of the eye and stimulates the optic nerves from a control box attached to the glasses. These electrical pulses carry the signal to the brain where it s perceived as an image. The research almost ran out of funding until a partnership was established with Australian and Canadian researchers to launch start-up company ibionics to move into clinical trials. Note: Donations from clubs this year are down from $112,000 last year to only $80,000 this year. Hopefully we can boost this total with our June disbursements and by clubs honouring their members with V.L.F. Awards that are available for purchase. Please remember that every Lion in V Districts is a member of the Victorian Lions Foundation Inc and without your support we are unable to exist and help with this fantastic research. V.L.F. Public Relations & Marketing Committee. Resurrection of Broadmeadows Resurrection or resuscitation. It doesn t matter what you call it but not everybody is aware of what s happening with Broadmeadows Lions. This club is amongst the oldest in the District but sadly they have been squeezed between Glenroy and Reservoir clubs and the membership has been in decline for some time. However, there is good news on the horizon. Since October last there have 7 new lions members working to build the foundation for the Broadmeadows Club for the next 100 years of Lions and have set a target of 14 members by June this year. The group they have at the moment is a good example of the Lions objective for membership to reflect diversity in the community. 7

8 While getting to know each other, individuals have already accepted leadership responsibilities for a number of activities. There is a team leader of Relay for Life (Cancer Council Fund Raiser Walk), an administrator for Facebook, website & WhatsApp group messaging (communication), leader of the Marketing & Membership function, plus information sharing following discussion of a recent report from the Human Rights Commission with a view to projects that support multiculturalism. The club is currently meeting on Saturday mornings & has its 3 rd meeting on Saturday 25 th of March when hopefully executive position nominations will be submitted. Discussing the way ahead Graeme leading the new team More on the Peace Poster Contest Proof that the Lions International Peace Poster Contest is MORE than just an art competition. Below is a copy of a letter sent to Graeme Richardson of Essendon Lions from the mother of a boy from Strathmore Primary School: Dear Graeme, I just wanted to express my thanks to the amazing opportunity the Lions Club gave my son through the Peace Poster Competition. My son, Will attends Strathmore Primary and was strongly encouraged by his lovely art teacher to enter this, and he was fortunate to be presented at a school assembly with two certificates for his endeavour award. The confidence achieving this award for my son was an amazing thing to see. He is quiet, and quite doubting of his abilities as an illustrator. He worked hard on this poster, fitting in with the theme and really giving it thought. We, and his art teacher have been trying to boost this confidence, and then to be presented with this, was fantastic. The 2 certificate frames are proudly displayed in our home & naturally, he enjoyed spending his gift card in the holidays. We were all very impressed the school received a cheque as well! To top all of this off, Will s poster was handdelivered back to him this weekend. We had never expected this (I had taken a photo so we d always have a record) - but Will was very happy to have the poster back. The Lions Club have really impressed us with this - and I thought you all deserve a congratulatory in return. Please pass our thanks to those concerned, Lee Strachan (on behalf of Will) Bendigo Cares The photos below were taken at a Celebration Day for Emily on the 25 th February where people had a bit of fun whilst giving support to a local family who were fundraising for their very ill daughter at Cooinda Park, Kangaroo Flat. Chairperson of the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation and Club President Bec Day arranged for our Club to attend and cater a BBQ for a special fundraising day. 8

9 The event was held as a Celebration Day for Natalie O'Neill and Luke Simons daughter Emily who has bone cancer. Lions Tales March 2017 Sebastopol is marching along. Members of the Sebastopol & District club had a great day out at the recent Begonia Festival. Whoopsies Chris Well it was VERY early in the morning and we d spent a very busy previous day running a BBQ at Bunnings. However let s look at the plus side.. We were there and we were smiling, we had a good time and it was Great PR for Lions Centenary And we were awake enough to change it right way up before the parade started. President Bec supervises some face painting. Glenroy s Cooked A good Christmas story Glenroy s cake girls Lorri & Marg went to great lengths to support the club and Lions Cakes by manning stalls right up to Christmas Eve. 9

10 C hristmas With Us Lunch. When most of us had put their feet up, Carisbrook Lions were busy putting on a great 2- course luncheon for 130 special people at the Carisbrook Recreational Reserve on Christmas Day. We had Lions Jeff Hoober, David Milward and Peter Harrington driving three buses going around to pick up passengers. Supervising in the kitchen with over 25 wonderful members and volunteers was Lion Les Hedger. A Big Thank You to the following supporters of this great event: Central Goldfields Shire. ALDI Supermarket. Woolworths Supermarket. IGA Supermarket. Chicken Maryland. Lion Jack O Conner. Caroline's Restaurant. Maryborough District Advertiser. Carisbrook Mercury Newspaper. ED LYN Foods. This event would not be as successful as it is without the assistance of these wonderful businesses. Thank you to all for making this a very special day for those who attended this great event. Guests, Members and Volunteers. Chris Maher. 10

11 I volunteer because I want to not just see the world, but make a difference in it. 11

12 I volunteer because I can. It s as simple as that. If you could do something to help the world around you, why wouldn t you? 12

13 65th Multiple District 201 CONVENTION 2017 HOBART, Tasmania WREST POINT Entertainment and Convention Centre Friday 5 May 2017 thru to Monday 8 May 2017 CONVENTION WEBSITE au/convention CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM go to the Convention website au/convention Convention Organising Committee CONTACT DETAILS Mail address: PO Box 2001 Lower Sandy Bay 7005 mdconvention2017@ lionstasmania.org Countdown to Convention Continues What was it that John Lennon sang? Another year over, a new one just begun. Amazingly we re already farewelling 2016 and thinking of what the New Year will bring. We hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoyed your New Year s Eve celebration. One of the Convention Organising Committee s early decisions was to make sure that the publicity and promotional side of the Convention for 2017 received priority. I must admit that I am overwhelmed by the coverage received, firstly in the Australian Lion, October/ November edition as well as the December/January edition. In addition, our Convention Countdown newsletter that included Convention details and suggested contacts for accommodation and travel has produced outstanding responses. We continue to recommend that you check the convention website it can be easily accessed through the Lions Australia website for updates and additional information. After suggesting in our previous publicity to put in you book Friday 5 May to Monday 8 May for the National Convention, can I respectfully suggest that you review your plans now as there are other major events leading up to our Convention dates such as the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and Targa Tasmania.. Hobart a great place to be in If there are any matters to be raised via our publicity and promotions team, please contact our Convention Committee and we will endeavour to get the message out there. Don t forget, this is a milestone event Celebrating the Centenary of Lions in 2017 PDG David Daniels OAM Chairman MD Convention 2017 Convention Organising Committee. 13

14 CORRECTION In our last newsletter we mistakenly said that the Lioness Dinner would be held on the Friday evening. It will be held in the Showroom at Wrest Point on the evening of Thursday, 4 May 2017 ACCOMMODATION AT WREST POINT Many conventioneers have responded to our advice that, should they wish to stay on site at Wrest Point, the Convention venue, they can take advantage of the reserved bookings. A check this week with Wrest Point has indicated that many have heeded that advice and that there is now only limited accommodation still available. A reminder... accommodation at Wrest Point can be booked through the link on the Convention website - TT LINE PROVIDES EXCLUSIVE MEMBER S PAGE TO LIONS FOR SPIRIT OF TASMANIA BOOKINGS TT Line, the operators of the Spirit of Tasmania that sails between Melbourne and Devonport has created an Exclusive Member s Page for Lions travelling to Convention Bookings available on this page are valid for travel between 1 May and 30 June The fare types offered (subject to availability) are: Lions Convention Hobart 2017 (Spirit) Lions Convention Hobart 2017 (Flex) Alternatively availability and bookings can be requested via TT Line Customer Contact Centre on The address to access the Exclusive Member s Page is SO THAT YOU KNOW??? Two post-convention Forums have been scheduled to be held on the day after Convention closes - Tuesday, 9 May and if you intend to participate you will need to ensure that your accommodation booking and travel arrangements are made accordingly. WOMEN IN LIONS FORUM An interactive workshop looking at the International approach to women in Lions, leadership roles of women in Lions, recruitment and retention of women in Lions, and skills that can be gained by being a member of a Lions Club. LCIF FORUM A training forum that has been held on the day following Convention for many years now - PDG Tom Becker, the MD201 LCIF Coordinator will be communicating details in the near future. THE COC ACKNOWLEDGES THE SPONSORSHIP OF CONVENTION

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18 Multiple District 201 Australia and PNG BACKGROUND NEW MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB MARCH to MAY MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN 2017 VICTORIAN CLUBS SUPPORTED BY RACV INCENTIVE This National Campaign provides concerted effort and focused action right across the MD through the period March to May 2016 to drive Lions Awareness and Membership Growth in existing clubs 1 st March 2017 to 31 st May 2017 will be our major MEMBERSHIP GROWTH CAMPAIGN, with EVERY CLUB in EVERY DISTRICT asked and encouraged to conduct a minimum of ONE (1) PRO- ACTIVE RECRUITMENT AND CLUB PROMOTION ACTIVITY during this period. All clubs in Victoria will again be provided with brochures & posters to assist promotion efforts. IN VICTORIA WE ARE SUPPORTED BY AN RACV INCENTIVE OF A $1000 VOUCHER FOR USE IN THEIR RESORTS. LIONS LICOLA VILLAGE WILL BE FEATURED IN THE RACV MAGAZINE TO BE MAILED TO 1.5 MILLION MEMBERS IN MID-MARCH. Take advantage of this easy, no-cost opportunity to promote your club in the community during the months of March to May. Over the next couple of weeks all clubs will receive brochures & posters ready to go. Check your Zone Chairman if they do not arrive. District Governor Naga has requested all lions to ask one person to attend a club function this year and the March to May material makes it easy to make the contact with the RACV incentive offer. Check out the brochure and make arrangements to place it with people you know. For more information - contact Graeme Lukey on What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. Albert Pike (Thanks, Carl) Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him. Albert Schweitzer Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. Seneca 18

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20 This year we had Wally Smilie from local Radio station KLFM as our emcee and Safety Officer, Greater City of Bendigo Councillor Matt Edmond provided our greeting to the public and acknowledgement, also including recognition that not all of us see Australia Day as a reason to celebrate, respecting that we often have differing beliefs and views. 2 nd Kangaroo Flat Scouts performed the flag raising ceremony supported by CFA (Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade) which included Senior Members, Juniors and Bill Bowery Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade s recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal. Being a small club of 6 members a call was put out to Geoff Lawry of Huntly Epsom Lions who quickly rang around and found more volunteers. Jean (Huntly Epsom Lions) and Bruce came along and sang the Australian National Anthem and numerous other well-known Australian songs. The Emu Creek Bush Band performed their music, and a jumping castle for both children and adults. Kangaroo Flat Lions along with Wayne Morris from Huntly Epsom Lions and Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade manned the BBQ making sure there was plenty of sausages and bacon for all. Cheryl Pohlner was awarded our Kangaroo Flat Citizen of the year, the mother of 6 children and grandmother of 10 who has dedicated her life to helping others both in her working and leisure time. She has been a long time helper at both the Kangaroo Flat Lions Club Australia Day and Annual Kangaroo Flat Lions Club Community Carols. After working 2 jobs most of her life she retired last year from her job at Lightning Reef Primary School however she remains coordinator of the school s Breakfast Program. Matt Edmond, Wally Smilie & President Cheryl Pohlner Kangaroo Flat Citizen of the Year Beck Hartland with sister Dot Snell. Wayne from Huntly Epsom Lions with Nathan from Kangaroo Flat Lions cooking up a storm together on the BBQ 20

21 Here are some photos from our New Years Eve Party that the Carisbrook Lions put on for about 400 to 500 people who showed up to enjoy the Sausage Sizzle, Cold Drinks and Slushies, Elmo, Scooby Doo, Jumping Castles, A Bird Circus, Free Vouchers, Movies for the kids, Sing along on Stage and free Train Rides from 6 PM until midnight. Congratulations to Jefferson Hoober for organising the event which was backed up with support from club members for a most successful night. 21

22 Carisbrook Market Reserve Lions Tales March 2017 Carisbrook Lion George Nagy provided the organisation with lots of help from club members for the official opening of the Carisbrook Market Reserve which bought along about people to the event where we had jumping castles, a bird circus, Lions BBQ and a St. Johns Ambulance Crew and it all took place on Saturday the 14 th of January this year. Federal Minister of Parliament Louise Staley and Goldfields Shire Councillor Helen Broad along with Lyn from Project Inc. attended they were each presented with a copy of a book called Up The Creek. (How appropriate) The day was also used to help celebrate the 1985 Bush Fires that threatened the town and the Floods. What is your club s greatest achievement or project? Each club has a great story to tell about their greatest achievement or best project. We currently have access to publicity options with both newspapers and television. If you can share your best stories and photos, these can be given to sympathetic newspaper and television reporters and can then be widely publicized. Please send your stories to news@lions201v-1.org.au or post to 89 Empire Rd Bendigo 3550 and I will pass them on to any number of District personnel for distribution. Plus don t forget that at the end of this Lions year, DG Naga will be choosing a winner for the Russell Eastwood Award Best Club Project. This award is named in recognition of the late Russell Eastwood who was a member of the Lions club of Maryborough. The award will recognize the best club project and shall be decided by the immediate Past District Governor for a project conducted during his/her year as DG, following the receipt of nomination from the clubs in the District. A call for nominations will be made at a suitable time 22

23 And also for the Elaine Bourchier Media Award. This award is named in recognition of the behind the scenes work by the late Lions lady Elaine Bourchier over many years to the 201V1-4 District Cabinet and to the District in an administrative capacity. As a public relations exercise it will award a club, a journalist and their employer with a suitable form of recognition, and encourage the media outlets in the district to regularly publish or release details of Lions projects to the community. The award shall be decided by a committee appointed by the DG presenting an annual Media Award for the most significant media story published, or presented on television, depicting a Lions project within this District. The awards will consist of: A plaque for the reporter submitting the winning article. A certificate of appreciation for the media outlet who releases the article. A district banner patch for the club that submits the project to the winning media outlet. And the Loyola Jackson Environmental Project Award. This award is named in recognition of the late Loyola Jackson who was a member of the Lions club of Woodend, and as Zone Chairman was a passionate supporter of the environment. The award will recognize the best Environmental project and will be decided by the immediate past DG for a project conducted during his/her year as DG. To be eligible a project must be nominated by a club within the District. Not forgetting the District Bulletin Competition. This award is made to a club that is judged to have consistently produced the best and most informative club bulletin that has been forwarded to the DG. And finally, the District Club best Website/Facebook. This award shall be decided by the IPDG on advice from the District Webmaster and Internet Chairman taking into account the content, regular maintenance and project reporting. I feel better now Wedderburn Lions were on the road over the weekend of the th of March (Well Beside it actually) and manned a Driver Reviver Stop with their fancy new van. Keep up the great effort guys! You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran You may not have saved a lot of money in your life, but if you have saved a lot of heartaches for other folks, you are a pretty rich man. Seth Parker Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer #10: It's good for you. #9: It saves resources. #8: Volunteers gain professional experience. #7: It brings people together. #6: It promotes personal growth and self esteem. #5: Volunteering strengthens your community. #4: You learn a lot. #3: You get a chance to give back. #2: Volunteering encourages civic responsibility. AND #1: You make a difference. 23

24 Lake Boga Lions help Celebrate. Lions Tales March 2017 A major event occurred in March when Lake Boga Lions helped the RAAF Not the other way around and it was a major event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Flying Boat Repair Depot at Lake Boga during WWII. Lake Boga Lions restored Catalina A24-30 and the original, secret communication bunker as a commemoration to the servicemen and women who served there and helped to keep Australia safe. There was a stunning air show with a display by the RAAF Roulettes Aerobatics Team and a number of other vintage and modern aircraft types with the weekend celebration attracting thousands of spectators from different states. Our district is very proud to have of the work the club has put in and congratulations for your exceptionally extraordinary detailed planning, hard working and delivery of this huge event which was enjoyed by many pleasantly surprised spectators. Air marshal Leo Davies AO, CSC (Chief of Air Force) was there to represent the RAAF and made a presentation of a copy of a book entitled Lake Boga At War to the club. Lake Boga Lions president Ian Nancarrow, District Governor Naga Sundararajah and Air Marshal Leo Davies Lionesses Meet Up The 24 th of February saw the 28 th Annual Victorian Lionesses Breakaway at Ballarat where Lionesses from numerous clubs from within Victoria and other states congregate. Sadly I have no further details. Left - The Head table <> Right - General view of the attendees. 24

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