Lions National Advertising Campaign

How many members have seen the National advertising campaign that is on television and taken any notice of it? Most likely very few. We are members after all so why would we be all that interested.

I recently received an email from District Chairman (MERLOT) David Triffett. He had in turn forwarded a copy from our Multiple District office advising that an enquiry had been made by a lady in Burnie who was interested in Lions, and was a potential member. Contact was made with her and a meeting arranged for December 1st at the new "Makers Workshop" Cafe. This lady then informed me that her husband was also interested. Two for the price of one, way to go!

All I hope is that after our get together we maybe able to welcome two new members to our club, and all due to the National Advertising Campaign on TV.

Now we still not afford to rest on our laurels. Our district is still below that infernal 1250 that sees us in transition. We must do two things

(1) Retain the members that we have by keeping up their interest by involvement.

(2) Get out and encourage friends, relatives, and work colleages to become a part of a great team of people.

Regional Chairman (NW) Lion John Medwin.

Skilled Burnie10, and Blues Brews & BBQ's

Set up and rarin' for action with a steady flow of patrons during the course of the day.

A good roll up of workers saw the usual camaraderie prevail as the sausages sizzle, the steaks and onions were cooked to perfection under the watchful eye of Lion John Packham.

Image: The "Four at Ten" Lions Gaylene, Winston, John and Franz. Ready for all the action to start.

Dinner Meeting 22nd September 2009

Our dinner meeting welcomed several guests to our midst. District Chairperson for Youth Exchange Lion Wendy Brady who spoke about the value of the Lions Youth Exchange project and also touched on the Youth of The Year program in the absence of DG Jenny Triptree who was a late apology. Lion Wendy also is the North West Coordinator for the YOTY.

Our Guest speaker for the evening was Vicki Russell from the Drug Education Network dealing with the problem of prenatal alcholism and the possible effects that it has on the unborn baby while carried in the mother's womb. Sadly the projected figures for Tasmania are alarming. Vicki could not stress strongly enough that pregnant women should abstain totally from consuming alcohol during the gestation period. The problem stems from the increasing age at which women decide to start families when the use of alcohol has become a habit, if not an addiction.

Our other visitors were Melissa Taylor who is the Burnie City Council's Youth Development Officer, Hayley White a prospective Youth Exchange student, and lastly Jackie Fishwick daughter of Lions Mark and Rosemary Fishwick who is considering entering the Youth of The Year quest. And lastly and most certainly not the least, Lion Andrew Wardlaw who made his second visit to our club. Lion Andrew is the Finance Manager with the Burnie City Council and is a member of the King Island Lions club at present who may transfer to our club. Welcome Lion Andrew.

Lion John Matic gave members and guests a report on Lion George Scheper who is having mobility problems at present. George is missed at our dinner meetings and is awaiting an appointment with Mr Scott Fletcher the orthopedic surgeon to see what can be done for his problem. We wish him well and encourage members to make contact with him and show support.

Images:

Top, District Chair, Youth Exchange Lion Wendy Brady.

Centre, Vicki Russell (Drug Education Network), and Lion Lalee Jagiello.

Bottom, Lion Wendy Brady, Jackie Fishwick, Hayley White, and Melissa Taylor (BCC Youth Development)

Tasmanian Lions Autistic Assistance Dogs.

District Governor Dr John Gillham has given his approval for the name of this project undertaken and sponsored by the Lions Club of Rocky Cape Inc.

The Righteous Pups Australia program is a training facility for dogs to become assistance "carers" for a child with Autism. These dogs bond with the child and can lead to improvement in behaviour and "autistic sessions", details of which room does't allow explain further.

To this end the Lions Club of Rocky Cape is organising a special meeting and supper to launch the project and asks that each club in the North West Region consider altering their usual first dinner meeting date for the month to Wednesday the 7th October 2009 to be able to attend. And why not here is an excellant oportunity for inter-club visitation and learn what this is all about.

Guest speakers will be Ms. Joanne Baker Righteous Pups Australia. Also a speaker from Autism Tasmania., either Rose Clark, or Mick Clark.

Venue: Lions Park. Resevoir Drive, Wynyard.

Hosted by The Lions Club of Wynyard.

Date: Wednesday 7th October 2009.

Starting at 7:00pm with a light supper afterwards.

Let us show our support for a worthy local project.

August 2009 and another new member inducted.

Photo: President Gerald Stonehouse, Lion Cheryl de Beer, and District Governor Dr John Gillham.

A new member was inducted at the 25th of August dinner meeting by District Governor Dr John Gillham who was making his official vist to the City of Burnie Lions Club.
The Club offers a sincere warm welcome to our new Lady Lion Cheryl de Beer.

Welcome to the world of Lions Clubs International Maureen.

Lion Maureen Howard was inducted at our Dinner Meeting 11th August 2009. Ms. Maureen Howard joined us to add even more colour to our growing ranks.
Maureen is a Social Worker with the Salvation Army at Oakleigh House and her expertise will be invaluable where community welfare is concerned with all its facets of homelessness, alcohol and substance abuse, abuse in all its forms, not to mention the breakdown of family relationships. The members offer her a warm sincere welcome.

Lastly another new lady Lions member is likely to be inducted in the coming weeks.

It's all happening at the City of Burnie Lions Club.

Lions: What a diffenence 61 years have made.

The first club in Australia formed at Lismore, New South Wales. 1st July 1947
Approximately 1300 clubs and 27,000 members [2008]

Male members only. [1947]
Both male and female members – we now have twice the opportunity to grow. [2008]

Heavy majority of members working 9 – 5 Monday – Friday.

For many only one vocation area in their working lifetime. [1947]

Just over 8% 9 – 5 Monday – Friday.
Many people now have multiple vocation changes and much shift work. [2008]

Limited range of ex school and home activities for children. [1947]
For most, a huge expansion in activities requiring both parents to share driving and parent duties – less time for Lions. [2008]

Strong support for the Monarch across all age groups. [1947]
Still Monarchical although only minor support from those under 50 years of age. [2008]

God Save the King played at most functions, the pictures, balls and dances, on the radio and later in the mid 1950’s, television. Monarch toasted at many meetings and functions. [1947]
Advance Australia Fair played at limited functions, mainly sporting.
Monarch toasted at less meetings and functions. [2008]

Dress code, meetings were attended in lounge suits or slacks, sports jackets and ties. Formal occasions always in Dinner suits [1947]
Meeting attire has become casual. rarely lounge suits and formal events occasionally dinner suits seen. Open neck shirts slacks and sweaters for men as usual attire. [2008]

Spoken salutations – Mr, Mrs, Sir, Madam, Lion, Past District Governor etc. and men raised their hats to women. [1947]
Bob, Sally, George, Mildred and still Lion and Past District Governor (When members are aware of the greeting) but men generally don’t wear hats now. [2008]

From 1947 onwards for more that 30 years, members came from all adult age groups. [1947]
Average age is now 60 plus. In some clubs most members are in their 70’s and 80’s. Very few are aged under 45. [2008]

While much has changed in the past 60 years, the need for service to others remains. Our mission is to embrace and reflect the change of the past six decades so that in the operation of our clubs we accomplish the following.

· Satisfaction for our current members.
· Satisfaction for future members
· Satisfaction for those we serve

"In the Lions Club of King Island, we aim to value the contribution made by all members in what ever capacity they can serve with what ever precious time they have left in their busy lives. "
[It would be fare to say that this sentiment would be endorsed by all 201T1 Lions clubs.]

This text was taken from the King Island Lions Club Bulletin and penned by then President Linda Payne. The information was derived from the Lions Australia MERL Workshop Melbourne, dated September 2008

Surprise Awards at 49th Change Over Dinner

If there is one thing we all love to see, it has to be the surprised look on some ones face when an award is being handed out. All the indicators were there that could have quite easilly been attributed to a number of members till I personally felt that it was now obvious who was the recipient of the Australian Lions Foundation James D Richardson award. Lion John Matic was stunned, and just a little tearful to say the least, and I must say that no more fitting person would you find to receive it. John is noted for being a mentor to other Lions filling positions that he has served in. He is always available for projects that he can work on. Around town he is known as the Mint King of Burnie for without his cajolling of the membership our sales wouldn't be a high as they are. and last but not least his organisational skills in the collection with two other Lions of recycled spectacles, then forwarding them on to be graded for distribution to third world countries.
Congratulations go to Lion John Matic the "Lord of Grandview" from your fellow Lions members.

The second award was new one from the Tasmanian Lions Foundation. This was awarded to Lion Mark Fishwick who is a relatively new member. Lion Mark has a history of community work throught the years. He was an Apexian where he rose to be National President and a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding between Apex and Lions Clubs International in Perth, WA. in 2002 where Apexians on reaching retiring age could transfer to a Lions Club and still maintain their collective years of service of both organisations.
Mark has demonstrated leadership skills and chaired the successfull project for the past three years of "The Night On The Terrace" on New Year's Eve. Additional to this he has also served on the club's board of directors for at least four years.
Lion Mark like Lion John Matic, you have more than earned your Award. Congratulations from the membership of the City of Burnie Lions Club.

Now how about the Wilfred Campbell Fellowship Award and the Groobing Award. both of these are in house awards and have been in place for many years. Most of the recipients have gone on to become presidents of the club which isn't surprising.
This year the Wilfred Campbell Fellowship Award went to Lion Gloria Deal who amongst other things produces the Bulletin with a bit of help, and with the transfer of Lion Geoff Starik to another club, took on the role of Tail Twister. This coming year sees Lion Gloria filling three roles on the Board of Directors. Bulletin editor with help, Tail Twister, and 2nd Vice President. Our social butterfly and rising star has managed to extract funds from some very deep and tight pockets, and just loves collecting five cent pieces to keep our Treasurer unhappy.

Now we come to the Groobing Award. The recipient of this is also a relatively new member like Lion Gloria Deal but has managed to make her mark on the fabric of the City of Burnie Lions Club. Lion Melissa Bell (a full time working mother of an energetic little boy), has managed to do in one fell swoop, sell a mountain of Christmas cakes last year. Where humanly possible she fronts up at any catering projects, selling Christmas Trees, and this year has become the Assistant Treasurer of the club.

Ladies, we just love you.

Lion Richard [Dick] Strickland.

Isn't it great to be able to help out another member of the Lions family. Lion Dick hasn't had the best of health over the past few months and being resident on King Island just makes things a little more difficult.
PDG Leigh Jones made reference to the grand old Lion from King Island at the recent dinner meeting. A man known to several of our more senior members who have been to MD and District conventions.
He was initially diagnosed as having low iron levels in his blood causing tiredness and was immediately put on a course of tablets. His lot improved only to slip back again and this time was sent for a scan revealing bowel cancer. Trips to Tasmania are not cheap and the airline schedules are very ordinary to put it mildly. So this is where phone calls from a concerned Lion on King Island started the wheels turning. Between Lion John and Betty Packham and myself we picked up and met Lions Dick and Jan and ferried them from and to the Devonport Airport on the first trip. The second trip was the the LGH for his operation 21st July, unfortunately that isn't the end of the drama, he also has a secondary cancer on his liver so things are not a bed of roses for Lion Dick by any means.
Post operation he was visited by PDG's Peter Burke, and Tony Roney at Legana, and PDG Leigh Jones ferried them back to Burnie 29th July. After treatment at the Oncology department at the Burnie Div. NWGH 30th July, they fly out from Devonport on Friday the 31st looked after by Lion John and Betty Packham once again.
Lion Dick told me Wednesday evening that he was going to attend the 40th Charter Anniversary and Change Over no matter what. Not only that, he wants to see an old mate presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. I really do think he will make it, such is the man.
God's speed old mate and take care.
Lion John Medwin. Regional Chairman [North West]
District 201T1

MERLOT What does it mean?

MERLOT

being an acronym for

Membership, Expansion, Retention, and Leadership, Orientation and Training.

Your District this year has built up a strong team to promote all elements of MERLOT and encourage all members to participate in gaining membership and more importantly having gained new members, KEEPING THEM. Encourage them to learn and develope so that all are able to get a sense of achievement from what they have done no matter how small that maybe.

As individuals we do little. Together we work miracles.

World wide the emphasis is now on the retention of our existing membership and trying to stem the flow of our numbers sliding out the back door so to speak. Granted members dying is one area that is impossible to stop, but the rest can be stemmed with care and thought. What I now ask is that you take a little time out to read this post in its entirety. You will learn something from it.

LIONS CLUB Membership Committee: The Winning Formula.

Duties of the club membership committee.

To Select, Recruit, and Retain members.

Depending on the size of the club, its organisation and the members available, a properly constituted Membership Committee will attend to the following duties:

First Year Committee Member will serve as the Chairman of the Attendance Committee.

Second Year Committee Member will serve as the Vice Chairman of the membership Committee, and Chairman of the Program Committee.

Third Year Committee Member will serve as the Chairman of the Membership Committee and as Membership Director on the Clubs Board of Directors.

The Membership Director shall report to the Board of Directors on the following.

1. Membership Development.
2. Club Attendance.
3. Club Programming.

Club Membership Committee, 1st Year: Chairman of the Attendance Committee.

• Watches for any weakness within the club: member interaction, cliques, costs, meals, disenchantment between members, boredom, new motivation.
• Organises programs to boost meeting attendances.
• Takes an active interest in the continuing development of newly inducted Lions
• Contacts all non attending Lions within 48 hours of a meeting in an effort to give a sense of caring.
• Advises persons invited to join the exact nature of their likely financial and time commitments.
• Speaks with all prospective members and confidentially passes on recommendations to the Board.
• Ensures the club recognises in a pre-arranged manner personal matters such as birthdays, special anniversaries, special achievements, births, family sickness or bereavement.
• Arranges for the appropriate honouring of Charter Members, Monarchs and 100% attendance/service when they become due.
• Supervises and encourages Club participation in regular new member programs and International membership programs. This may be achieved via Zone or Regional liaison.
• Maintain and up to date list of prospective members.
• Provide the President and Bulletin Editor with the names of Lions who have missed meeting so suitable acknowledgement can be made.

Club Membership Committee, 2nd Year: Chairman of the Program Committee & Vice Chairman of Membership Committee.

• Creates program for dinner meetings in consultation with President.
• Arranges for appropriate guest speakers and obtains relevant information on the speaker and subject matter for inclusion in the Bulletin.
• Ensures that all members are actively involved during the course of Dinner Meeting, or that agenda items be rotated amongst members each meeting.
• Provide "Thank You" certificates for the guest speakers together with a folder/envelope with Lions fact sheets and club contact details.
• Organises appropriate seating for visitors and guest speakers.
• Assist with greeting all members and guests.

Club Membership Committee 3rd Year: Chairman of the membership Committee & Membership Director on the Board of Directors.

• Assist the Club President in inducting new members with a dignified and impressive ceremony.
• Ensures all membership paperwork is completed and received and any joining fees are are made prior to induction.
• Arranges name badge, certificate and new members kit for the induction night.
• Promotes the Key Membership Programme.

2009-2010 Board of Directors. A good lookin' mob.

Photo was taken at the Burnie Civic Centre at our annual Change Over dinner Tuesday 23rd June 2009.

From the left Lion President Gerald Stonehouse, Lions Paul Templar, Gloria Deal, Mark Fishwick, Meissa Bell, Lynn Templar, John Matic, IPP Keith Allcock, Gaylene Wells, Max Tavasci, and Michael MacLaren. Not in the photo, John Packham who took the photo.

The image above is of the Awards winners for the 2008-2009.

Lion Gloria Deal received the Wilfred Campbell Fellowship award. Lion Mark Fishwick the Tasmanian Lions Foundation award. Lion Melissa Bell the Groobing Award, and Lion John Matic an Australian Lions Foundation James D Richardson Award. Needless to say all were surprised and chuffed to have been acknowledged for their contribution to the City of Burnie Lions Club.

It all goes to show that we do value our members, and encourage others to become a part of our service minded team at the City of Burnie Lions Club.

http://cityofburnielionsclub.webng.com/ for more about us.

North West Region Lion Club's Blog Page Training 12th July 2009

Have you ever wanted something to do on a rainy day?

Well this was planned, but the weather wasn't.

What a roll up, the clubs that were represented were Port Sorell, Devonport-Mersey, Forth Valley, Penguin, City of Burnie, Wynyard, Rocky Cape, and last but not least Smithton-Circular Head.

Our presenter was Lion Walter Van Praag [Wmailto:Walter@devonportlions.info,]who adminsters the City of Devonport site and Blog page.

Here was a quick and simple way for a Lions club to have a presence on the Internet. Something that can be edited in minutes, or have a posting done in a little more time. Particpants were encouraged to go home and experiment with it till they are happy with what they produce. Some found it hard to grasp what was being passed on, but with patience, they to will become proficient with its use. Others cottoned on quickly and we will see their results virtually as I type this.

May I say thank you to all those who braved the weather to travel to Burnie from as far away as Port Sorell to the east, and Smithton to the west for the morning. Also the Lions District's thanks go to the Coordinator of the Burnie Online Access Centre Sue Hodgetts, for the use of the centre out of hours for training. (It was good for the Centre statistics as well)

When I last checked to see the results of the days training I saw a 100% result which makes it all worthwhile for both the presenter, and the particpants.

Those who read this from the participating clubs, please remember that if you have problems, contact Lion Walter Van Praag by email for assistance or even talk to Lion Maurice Jones [ info@minksystems.com, ]or myself [ jayemonline@yahoo.com.au ] and we'll help where we can.

Melvin Jones and William R Tresise Fellowship Awards.

The City of Burnie Lions Club congratulates two stalwarts of the Wynyard Lions Club, one of our sponsored clubs. Lion Allan Margieson who came to Wynyard on an assisted migration package with his partner to work at Savage River Mines pelletising plant at Port Latta as an electrician. Having settled in Wynyard he joined the Wynyard Lions club 29 years ago. In that time Allan has been a back stay of the club and filled many positions in the club, and has also served on the District Cabinet.
On receiving his award it was one of the few times that he was stuck for words when it was announced that he was to receive the Melvin Jones Fellowship.
Another stalwart in Lion Brian Randall was also taken-a-back when it was announced that he was to receiver the Australian Lions Foundation Willian R Tresise Fellowship Award. Yet another Lion who was stuck for words.

What a great night for both of these Lions on the ocassion of their annual Change Over. 6th June 2009

A Message From Our District Governor. 2008-2009

Lions Clubs Tasmania

Thanks the people, businesses and other

organisations in Tasmania, especially

the Tasmanian Governmemnt for your

generosity over the past six months, in

assisting us to raise approximately

One Million Dollars

for Flood victims in Queensland,

Drought relief in Tasmania,

and the Bushfire disasters in Victoria.

District Governor Lions Clubs Tasmania

Anthony (Tony) V Roney

District 201T1 Cabinet print media release 29th May 2009

City Of Burnie Lions Club "Citizen Of The Year 2009"

Images: Lion Max Tavasci. From left Josephine & Vlastik Skvaril, President Keith Allcock. Second image. Vlastik, Lion George Scheper (COY Chairman) and Josephine.

What a wonderful person to award the Citizen of the Year Award to. A gentleman who left the Eastern block of Europe with his family and settled in Tasmania. On retirement he decided that he needed excercise and started pounding the roads and his story follows. The address to the club by COY Chairman Lion George Scheper (in part)

"For the past few years, it has been my distinct pleasure to present to you our Citizen of the Year for the City of Burnie Lions Club. This year, our Club has again the pleasure of bestowing this honour on a person in the community who has proven his ability to serve the community far above and beyond the norm.

My story begins with a little boy growing up in the Czech Republic who became strong and adventuresome. So adventuresome that he and his wife and two children migrated to Australia in 1969 to Adelaide where he worked in an ice cream factory. He soon learned that the flat lands of South Australia were not what he was looking for so the family moved to Tasmania in 1970 where he took a job at Lactos where he worked for 22 years. He also had employment in Smithton and also leased the Chic Queen mixed business in Burnie for 8 years.
Always an active person, our nominee loved to bush walk and has done the Overland Track in Tasmania 10 times once doing it in 17 hours with a full pack.
Now as most men are looking at retirement age, he looked for another challenge in his life. It was then that the spirit of adventure given to him many years ago kindled a desire in him that he never knew before - he had the need for speed.

But, he decided that just running was not enough so he ran to raise money for charity. He has run to raise money for Make-a-Wish Foundation, Camp Quality and now recently for Canteen which is the Australian Organization for Young People Living with Cancer. He has run inland from the west coast of Australia a total of 5,978km to the east coast raising over $25,000 along the way. He has run from the southern tip of Tasmania to the northern tip of Queensland.
Recently he was having a beer in a pub with two mates, and they were talking about putting in a "Hooters Club" in the old Harris Scarf building. Well, he didn’t know what a "hooter" was so he went home and researched it and thought maybe it was a scooter and the old need of speed kicked in again. If he could run – then a scooter was faster.
So he took his scooter and had a go going from the Cadbury Plant in Hobart to the Cadbury Plant in Burnie raising money along the way for Canteen.
His next planned endeavor is taking his scooter from Adelaide to Darwin raising more funds for Canteen and celebrate his 70th birthday.
This gentleman has taken his need for speed and given to those in need. So as the slowest man in this room, I salute the fastest man in the room and ask President Keith to come forward and award the 2009 City of Burnie Lions Club Citizen of the Year Award to Mr. Vlastik Skvaril." End of Quote.

In receiving his award Vlastik paid a special tribute to his good lady for the love and support she has shared with him along his lifes journey. With out it who knows what he would have done in its place.

Kentish Lions Club Music Hall

We have been blessed this year by the fact that the Kentish Lions Club made contact with us and asking if we wanted to get in early and not miss out like we did last year.
To this end our smart thinkers took advantage of the offer and have booked twenty seats, now all we want is twenty bums to put on the seats. The two tables involved will either be side by side or in line astern as the tables only seat eighteen so there will be ten on table (I) and ten on table (J) both within easy reach of the bar and the bar tenders.
So those intending to go, prepare for a great night out at the foothills of Mount Roland.
Images courtesy Kentish Lions Club website. http://www.kentishlions.org.au/

Cystic Fibrosis Can Rattle (65 Roses Day) May 29th 2009

A joint Can Rattle will be seen around the CBD of Burnie with Lions from both the Burnie-Emu Bay and City of Burnie Lions Clubs participating. Unfortunately at the moment there is no known cure for the debilitating disease, and what is more distressing for parents of the children afflicted with it is the fact that both State and Federal Governments offer no assistance or support.
Over the past years the Burnie area has contributed over $9000.00 towards research and support, with other communities contributing through similar collection days conducted by other Lions Clubs within the state. The coordination for the state project is under the Chairmanship of Lion ian Lancaster of the City of Burnie Lions Club, on behalf of the Lions District 201T1 (Tasmania)
The Lions Clubs of Burnie thank all who supported this project in the past and ask that you again dig deep to assist in a worthwhile cause.
The end result of three hours on the CBD streets of Burnie 29th May, netted $1445.00. Thank you once again for your generosity for this cause.
Smithton-Circular Head Lions raised $300.00 in Smithton the same day.

District 201T1 membership numbers

Do you have somebody in mind for this Membership Certificate to go to? Invite a friend, relative, or a neighbour to become a member. Do it now, approach that person who may just surprise you bt saying, "I have been waiting for some one to ask me."

This is just an update on the state of membership in our District. As of the end of April 201T1 membership stood at 1233, seventeen short of getting out of transition. Our Zone 2 is doing more than its fair share with regards the numbers. Smithton-Circular Head Lions Club inducted four 20th May 2009, King Island is reported as having at least two to be inducted, and our own club have two in the wings. It will be my pleasure to induct a new member at Wynyard on the 30th May 2009 at their Change Over Dinner. Further more I have been advised by PCC, DG Tony Roney, that ten new Membership kits have been sent to the Membership Chairman at Rocky Cape. As a consequence, I am watching closely to see what is happening at that club as the 64 Regional Chairman Designate.

Jackjumper Research Project Donation To the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Dear fellow Lions,
At a recent District Cabinet meeting it was decided that the monies raised for the Jackjumper project should be sent to Royal Hobart Hospital Jackjumper Immune Therapy Project. We have been advised by our Health Co-ordinator Geoff Clow that they still require the funding raised. A cheque for $16,080.00 has been sent on our Lions District's behalf.
Yours in Lionism,
George Bugeja,
Cab. Treasurer. 201T1

Story courtesy The Australian Lions website http://www.lionsclubs.org.au/ follow the links.

Those of us in our Lions Club who went to the Riverside District Convention in November 2007 will ever forget the keynote address by Father Chris Riley. Now his work has been recognised by Lions Clubs International.

"INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD A FIRST FOR AUSTRALIA :- FATHER CHRIS RILEY.

1st May 2009 – Father Chris Riley, the founder of ‘Youth Off The Streets,’ has achieved international recognition as the 2009 recipient of the Lions International Humanitarian Award. The Award is presented annually and comes with a $200,000 cash prize to assist him to continue his important work.
Father Riley is the first Australian to receive this award in its history. Previous recipients include former U. S. President Jimmy Carter and Mother Teresa and Nobel Prize winning Economist, Muhammad Yunus. Fr Riley will be officially presented with the award in Minneapolis later this year at the International Convention.
International President of the Lions Service Club organisation, Al Brandel, first met Father Chris Riley at the 201T1 Lions Convention in Tasmania, where he moved the hearts of the participants speaking about the lives of young people touched by the 'Youth Off The Streets' program. Al Brandel, as a recently retired New York City police officer, is no stranger to dealing with troubled youth, and was so impressed that on his return to the United States secured a small donation for the program of US$12,000.
Al Brandel adds, "Fr. Chris Riley impressed me with a spirit that is much like that of my Lions. He saw a need, he created a plan for change, and he rolled up his sleeves and got down to the job of making the plan a reality."
The Lions Service Club organisation which has 1.3million members around the world, contributes millions of volunteer hours, and hundreds of millions of dollars each year to medical research, youth leadership and programs, disability support and conquering preventable blindness. The Humanitarian Award was conceived to recognise and support those extraordinary individuals in the world who embody those qualities of selflessness and service that Lions hold dear.
Father Chris Riley was overwhelmed to be recognised in this way and praised the Lions for their support of the program. "

Chicago Central Lions Club. The mother club of Lionism.

For those who don't know, I was lucky enough to meet Richard Carlson, Secretary of the Chicago Central Lions Club when he visited Burnie 23rd February 2009. Since then we have exchanged item of memorabilia as in pins and friendship flags (Bannerettes). The pins seen are the Chicago Central Lions Club pin, and the now rare 90th anniversary of the club Melvin Jones was a member of. As far as I know only two or possibly three of these pins are in Australia, two here in Tasmania and maybe a third in NSW. The other one in Tasmania was sent to District Governor Tony Roney as a surprise on my instigation.

Thank you Lion Richard for that, and congratulations on your election as Secretary for an 11th term. Your profile worries me as to how you find the time to do all you do.

http://chicagocentralil.lionwap.org/

As convener of one of the Region 64 Training Seminars for Lions Club's incoming officer bearers may I thank firstly Lions Partner Betty Packham, Lion Gloria Deal, Lion Lalee Jagiello, and Lion John Packham of the City Of Burnie Lions Club who will be providing the luncheon for the 24 people who attended. Thank you ladies and John.

Additionally, to all those Mothers who have allowed their partners, and or, sons and daughter to attend. I was suitably surprised by the numbers who indicated their intention to be here, and who made the effort of travelling some distance. You are the Lions who care for the future of our community, our District 201T1, and the Lions family.

Lastly, amongst the mix of Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers there were a number of other Lions who were Membership Directors, Directors, or just Lions seeking to extend their knowledge of the workings of Lions in general. These are our potential Leaders, and possible Cabinet members of the future.

The past year as Zone Chairman has been rewarding by the way all clubs have supported current DG Tony Roney and myself. I wish all office bearers for the coming year a succesful and fulfilling year in 2009 - 2010.

"Aspire to lead and challenge" is my theme as your Regional Chairman designate for the coming year.

Kind regards to all, Lion John C Medwin.

Lions Christmas Cakes & Mint-Candy Sales and some Lions information.

Well done those Lions! Sales to date = $7143.00

Last year as of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = $6884.00

We are ahead by $249.00, now all we need is $2857.00 or $920.00 per month till the end of June. Can they do it? You bet they can, and they will. Ably led by the "Lord Of Grandview" Lion John (Charismatic) Matic. There are a number of Clubs in the District who have been recognised for their sales figures, I can guarrantee that after twelve months, our figures may topple most off their pedestals. For a little bit of Lions Information and history surrounding the mint program, click on the URL link below. htpp://www.lionsclubs.org.au/mints/history.htm

Over a long period of years our Lions club have successfully sold many thousands of dollars worth of these cakes for Campaign Sightfirst I & II, and other humanitarian causes. Remember Lions Cakes are available year round, so if some asks for them, see the Cake Chairman about procurement. For the history of the Australian Lions Christmas Cakes, click on the URL link below. http://www.lionsclubs.org.au/cakes/

57th National MD201 Convention. Melbourne May 1st - 3rd, 2009

Photo's Courtesy of Australian Lions website Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and International President Lion Al Brandel at the Convention.

Melbourne Entertainment and Convention Centre
Main auditorium MECC.

Main Sponsor for the MD201 National Convention

Keynote speakers: International President Lion Al Brandel, and International Director Lion Ken Bird.

MD201 Convention Melbourne May 2009

Look out Melbourne and the MD 201 Convention! We have let loose at least two of our members to terrorise Melbournians and Lions members from around Australia. We look forward to their report back to the Club on their return. Hopefully, they won't be charged with loitering with no intent or purpose.


Now where would you find a finer pair to send out of the state than Lions Max Tavasci and Zone Chairman designate Lion Michael MacLaren. What we didn't give them was face masks to shield them from that nasty Swine Flu.
Did anyone think of it at the last dinner meeting?

Those Bloomin' Tulips

Sometimes you have silly thoughts and I have my fair share of those. One box of 15 sachets of tulip bulbs were sitting looking forlorn because no one had bought them. What to do?

Take them to a Lions Club meeting that had a heap of visitors, and raffle them. That idea netted $50.00 and Lion Gloria Deal won herself 10 sachets of Tulips which will now be planted out at Abbeyfield House Age Care home. 60 assorted colours that will brighten up the garden in the spring for the residents. Well done Lion Gloria, they will all love you for that win.

Prostate Pete's Undies Line

The registered Logo of the project

Honorary Lion "Prostate Pete".

The image on above is of Lion President Ken Baird, "Angry" Anderson, and Lion Jan Bakker the Project chairman Forth Valley Lions Club Inc.

A Tasmanian Lions Project

1. To increase awareness of prostate cancer and to encourage men to have regular prostate checks 2. To generate funds for prostate cancer research home petesundies@gmail.com

"Angry" is a staunch supporter of the project and will make himself available where possible to help with its Public Relations.
The project was started after the Forth Valley lost their President in 2008 to the insidious disease. Driven By Lion Jan Bakker and a committee they are selling the project to all 50 Lions Clubs in District 201T1. Where there are two Lions Clubs in an area they are encouraged to join forces so that neither club gets at crossed purposes with each other. For further information we urge all Lions Male and Female to visit this website http://www.prostatehealth.org.au/

Incoming Office Bearer's Seminar Sunday 10th May 2009

Lions Club visitors from other Lions Clubs in Zones 1, 2, & 3 are reminded that the Seminar will be conducted at the Adult Education Centre, 2 Spring Street, Burnie starting at 9.30am. Ample parking is available at the back of the building.
Morning tea and a light luncheon will be provided.
DG Elect John Gilham will be attending to meet all, along with Cab/Sec Lion Anne Ogilvie, and PDG Robin Pulford all of whom are coming up from Hobart.
All Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers are encouraged to attend along with appointed District Officers and other interested Lions members who want to learn more about Lions International.