Burnie Lions and Leo's Christmas Parade 20th December 2013

BURNIE

CHRISTMAS PARADE

Proudly presented by the City of Burnie Lions Club, Burnie - Emu Bay Lions Club and the Burnie Leo Club.

6.30PM FRIDAY 20^TH DECEMBER 2013

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Enter a Float or Group for free, however, all entries are required to register their participation by completing the form attached and returning it, NO LATER THAN MONDAY 16^TH DECEMBER 2013 to:

CITY OF BURNIE LIONS CLUB INC

PO BOX 265

BURNIE, TASMANIA.  7320

OR,

Drop them in to Burnie City Council Offices

Fairford Pty Ltd has kindly donated a prize to the float that best represents a typical Christmas that includes reindeers and any Ford Ranger vehicle.

Lots of other prizes will be announced on the night.

 

Just who is looking at this blog?

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Entry and page views per:  Windows                        18 (66%) Macintosh                      8 (29%) iPad                     1 (3%)       So just who is visiting this blog page? The people are visiting world wide and include Alaska, British Columbia, USA, France, India, South Korea, and naturally Australia. as of today the 24th October 2013, 71758 visits have been logged. I'm chuffed.

Oh what a night 8th June 2013

"NEVER EVER LET ME HEAR THAT THE PEOPLE OF BURNIE DON'T HAVE A HEART!"

LAST NIGHT PROVED BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THEY DO. AT A FUNCTION AT THE MENAI HOTEL AN ESTIMATE OF $14,000.00 WAS RAISED TO SUPPORT A YOUNG FAMILY WHO'S BREAD WINNER HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN WITH MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE.
Barry Pateman is a man in his mid to late 30's with a young family and a short life expectancy is the sad prognosis of this insidious disease of the man who lives in our midst here in Burnie.
In response for assistance to the City Of Burnie Lions Club, and members of the Burnie Leo Club, we assisted the hard working committee headed by Ian Dodd, with the running of a fund raising auction and the administration of monies raised.
The items available were mind blowing from a $1,000.00's worth of air travel, Return trip for two on the "Spirit of Tasmania" ferry to Melbourne, a BMX bike and all sorts of items ably sold off by Tasmania's own "man mountain" David Foster and another capable auctioneer and I'm sure I saw one of his axes up for grabs as well. It has to be said that one chair in particular suffered from his six foot four inch height, 20 stone weight being placed on it, but it still sold. The lady who bought the set of four chair quipped, she would keep it as memento of the night.
Selling virtually started at 7:30pm and finished at 11:00pm supported by the local community, and the Motor Cycle Riders Association (Tasmania) members. All have families, all had a big heart and wallets to match. These people were not from millionaire's top end of town and makes you proud to be associated with them. We were blown away by the response.
At the end of the night it is estimated that $14,000.00 was raised, $10,000.00 from the auction alone. The balance from donations and the like.
Almost twelve months ago we were able to run a dinner at Weller's Inn to raise funds for an Autistic Assistance Dog. That night raised $7,000.00 and a similar comment was made about the people of Burnie. The family had raise the bulk of the funds through various means and just needed the extra to finalise the total funding necessary which amounted to around $30,000.00.
This covered the cost of training of the dog, the assimilation and bonding of the dog with the child and associated costs A one time payment for the life of the dog all inclusive.
 This is the reason Lions have the motto "WE SERVE".
Images:
Top left, The Menai Hotel at South Burnie.
Top right: World Champion Axeman, Tasmanian David Foster.
Bottom: The blue cornflower the symbol of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia.
and the Lions and Leo emblems.

61st Multiple District Convention, Canberra April 2013

Image from 2013 Convention website

Well it is now a case of packing bags and cases ready for the domain of Julia and Wayne. The intention is not to go and hob-knob with elected representatives of government, but to meet old friends and make new ones.
So far five are going to make the trip to the ACT, these being Lion Kellie Bryan, Leo Amy Bryan District Leo of the Year, 1st VDG and President Lion Michael MacLaren, Secretary Lion Max Tavasci, and GLT Co-ordinator, VP Lion John Medwin. There may be others that I'm unaware of as well
Airfares and accommodation are all in place so we are all looking forward to a rewarding and informative five days in the national capital.
We all wish Leo President Amy all the best as she represents the Tasmanian Leo's in the National quest for the Leo Of The Year on Sunday afternoon the 28th April.

The new Parliament House in Autumn. Photo credit: Australian Capital Tourism

Canberra celebrates 100 years as a city. It is interesting to note that 14th March marks the day Canberra was declared the site of the National Capital.

Reference: http://www.canberra100.com.au/resources/history-timeline/

 

Now just who is chuffed?

The two big fella's PDG Toby and Past Lion John Matic.

Photo: Lion John Medwin.

It really is hard to tell who got the most kick out of this presentation.  John Matic had just received the District 201T1 best club bulletin award for the year 2011 - 2012 during Past District Governor Dale (Toby) Crawford's tenure. 

PDG Dale stated that John's club bulletins gave relevent information from International, Multiple District, District, and not least club news and forth coming events. You could count on humorous fillins where space allowed. All contributed to a successful and well presented bulletin.

Our Lions Club has now received three of these awards in the past ten years. Way to go.

Tasmanian Leo Of The Year

The Leo Of The Year for 2012-2013 was decided at the Lions District 201T12 at Ulverstone 11th November 2012.
The contestants were Jacob Stump from the Glenorchy Leo Club, Brandon Richardson from the Penguin Leo Club and Amy Bryan from the Burnie Leo Club. What a fine group of teenagers they were. Thes people are our Lions of tomorrow and the organisation couldn't be in better hands. All three showing leadership skills, and to be able to deliver the goods no matter what problems presented themselves to them.
However there are no loosers, all were winners but one had to go forward as the District representative at the Multiple District Convention in Canberra 26th - 29th April 2013. So congratulations to Leo President Amy Bryan of our Burnie Leo Club.
I would be remiss of me if I didn't acknowledge the support given to Leo Jacob Stump by Past District Governor Jack Allen of the Glenorchy Lions club, for his moral support of Leo Jacob Stump when he needed it most. Something that will be remembered by all who attended the Convention on Sunday.

The image shows Leo Amy and Leo Storm-Lee Walker with City of Burnie Lions Club President Brian Cole when President Amy won the Leo Club event a few weeks previously.

The 61st MD201 Lions Clubs National Convention for Australia and PNG, Canberra 26th April - 29th April 2013

The rush for "Gold" as in dollars

Autism Spectrum Disorder. The worry for parents of children who suffer from it in all its forms.

For some years the City of Burnie Lions Club has had an interest in doing something that would make life easier for a family who has a child with autism. In the meantime the Lions Club of Rocky Cape and also The Wynyard Lions Club combined to assist another family in the area with a companion dog from Righteous Pups Inc.

We at Burnie became aware of a family in need and in consultation with the Lions Club of Penguin set off on a fundraising exercise, conditional that the family also assist in the fundraising apart from the Lions and Leos. The total target being $30,000.00.

Saturday night 4th August the major project committee of the COB Lions Club staged a Christmas in Winter dinner at Weller's Inn who supplied free of charge access to their kitchen and dining area for the function that attracted 138 people who came with open cheque books, pockets, and purses. Raffles were rife, auctions fiercely contested to swell the gross income to beyond the expected target for the night. At the time of writing this the total is still unknown.

The "Jolly Ol'chap in Red" paid a visit with his two lady helpers to hand each diner a small present as a thank you for coming along.

It would be remiss of me not to mention those young Leos who waited on tables like veterans. Serving from the right and removing from the left as you would expect in a top restaurant. These are the youth of our city showing that they have a heart and a will to serve the community. You just have to "luv 'em".
Also a sincere thank you to all the generous sponsors who donated to the project, too many to include here but they know who they are, and God Bless them for their gemerosity.

Donations may be made payable to the City of Burnie Lions Club Inc. P.O.Box 265, Burnie, 7320. Please indicate that it is for this particular project.
The image at the top left is of Ms Joanne Baker one of the founders of the Righteous Pups program in Bendigo, Victoria. This lady brought a trained dog with her to address a combined Lions Club function at the Lions Park, Wynyard two years ago. They are amazing animals with the way they react to situations. Once matched with a recipient, the dog stays with them 24/7 for the working life of the dog, usually around 10 years. For more information "Click" on the link below

www.righteouspups.org.au/AboutUs.aspx

 

Re-emergence of the Leo Club

The City of Burnie Lions Club welcomes the return of the Leo's

What an eventful past few months by some of the members of our Lions Club. In particular Lion Melissa Bell who has at last managed to bring together a group of young people to float the idea of reforming the Burnie Leo Club.

The club was originally chartered in 1986 and because of various reasons folded in 1995 after years of valuable service to the community. Sadly the age limit caught up with them, and the recruitment of new young members was never pursued either by the members or the Leo Club's advisers. Hopefully this will not be replicated this time around.
The first meeting held in April had five youths, mainly girls and subsequent meetings have attracted more till the last meeting had eighteen plus three visiting Leo's from Penguin, Lion Melissa, and myself as the Burnie Leo Club Adviser. It was also time for the original gavel and gong to re-emerge which the new President Amy Bryan tested thoroughly because my ears are still ringing.
Members were noted examining the original Charter, also a few other items of memorabilia that is hanging on the walls of the den from the previous Leo Club.

So who are these Leo's who will be the charter members?

President: Amy Bryan.

Vice President: Gradt Cohen.

Secretary: Hanna Spurr.

Ass. Secretary: Hayley Knott.

Treasurer:  Tanner Medwin..
Publicity Officer: Alexandra Bell.
Tail Twister: Storm Walker.
Members: Sian Borgatz, Monique Bunton, Grady Cohen, Tanner Medwin, Jacklyn Rogers, Tahlia Strempel, and two new members who arrived last week. A warm welcome to them also.
So the Charter members will be those who's paper work has been received by an agreed date.
As soon as the required paper work has been filed with Lions Clubs International and approved, the club will then plan its charter night, or day, which ever is preferred.
A few basic rules of conduct were adopted and also the decision was made to organise a social night at the Lion's Den at Cooee, Tuesday 5th June to raise some funds for their Administration account. Music and games with no alcohol or smoking as the club is basically an Alpha Leo club. That is membership is between the ages of 12 and 18 with two who are above that age bracket.
Members are encouraged to visit the City of Burnie Lions Club at dinner meetings any time, and also participate in inter-club visits and outings by other Leo Clubs.

So what is coming up for them, and did they succeed?:

Saturday 9th June, 2012. The Charter dinner of the new Smithton Leo Club at the Smithton Golf Club. 17 Mella Road, Smithton. Sit down at 7:00pm. Those attending would need to leave Burnie by 5:45pm.
Saturday 16th June, 2012. Penguin Leo Club change over. Details as per the newsletter.
Tuesday 26th June, 2012. City of Burnie Lions Club change over night at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre. 6:00pm for 6:30pm seated. Leo's invited to attend if they wish to.
Friday 27th June, 2012. Penguin Leo's annual migration to Cradle Mountain. Refer to newsletter for details.
Friday 6th July, 2012. City of Burnie Lions Club will be catering for the Spinners and Weavers Guild. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. The Lions would welcome Leo's to participate.
Saturday 4th August 2012. Members assisted with a fundraising event held by City of Burnie Lions Club. The Leo members acted as waiters and kitchen helpers at Wellers Inn Burnie to raise funds for an Autistic Assistance Dog for a Penguin girl. The goal within twelve months is $30,000.00 and as a result of this function, both clubs and the Penguin Lions Club are well on their way to achieving that goal. Well done all who participated.
Saturday 18th August 2012. The big night for our Leos with the presentation of the Charter as a recognised club with in Lions Clubs International.
Tuesday 30th October 2012 Burnie Leo Club's Leo of the year quest held with Storm Walker and Amy Bryan as the contestants. The judging panel chose President Amy to go forward to the District Convention.
Sunday 11th November 2012 President Amy Bryan selected as the District 201T1 Leo Of The Year with the opportunity to contest the MD201 Leo Of The Year quest.

Lions Youth of The Year 2012

While the City of Burnie Lions Club is not involved this year, I must say that my old school The Launceston Church Grammar School has pulled off a unique double.

Quoted from Alumni E-news March 2012

"Lion's Youth of the Year Two Youths of the Year. Grammar has not just one, but two winners of the prestigious Lions Club Youth of the Year competition. Sarah Norris and Nick Connelley both won not only the public speaking section of their respective Club finals, but they also were both the outright winners. Each progresses to the next level, the Regional finals, to be held very soon. To even have a single winner at club level is a wonderful achievement, as competition is always fierce, and it seems amazing that a small state like Tasmania can produce so many eloquent and concerned students to reach the level of Regional competition. Youths of the Year are judged not just for academic, sporting and public speaking achievements, but also for leadership, cultural ability and social concern. They are, as their title suggests, true youths of outstanding merit, who usually continue to be leaders in their chosen fields later in life. Congratulations to our ambassadors, Sarah and Nick, and good luck in the next round of competition.
Dr Louise Fairfax Senior Coach of Debating"

I am pleased to report that Nick Connelley won the Northern Region section hosted by the City of Launceston Lions Club. He then contested the State Final at Kings Meadows Sunday the 15th April winning the District final and Public Speaking section as well.
Nick will now go to the Lions Multiple District Convention in Perth W.A. in May for the Na6tional Final. We wish him every success.

North West Coast Relay For Life. Penguin 2012

Congratulations must go to Lion Brian Smith who was our club's represenative on the organising committee. His report back to the Lions club just showed what can be done. Yes there was preparations for the event by our members with some memorable moments along the way. The first of these was supposed to be a "howling" success. The howling didn't eventuate as the 10kgs of onions that had to be peeled were done outside on the trays of two utility vehicles with the breeze coming from behind us.

You have to be cunning. A large plastic tub three parts full of water kept the "stinkers" in chech as well until one rather smart Lion decided to act like Taliban guerilla and started lobbing missiles that landed in the tub and drenched the front of the writer's pants. Needless to say I was accussed of wetting my pants. I can assure readers it was wet but not warm.

As the sun sank gently in the west all the stinkers were peeled and sliced into rings ready for the weekend four buckets of them.

Now our lady members arrived all smelling sweet and fragrant with their perfumes wafting around the worksite. By the time they left the combination of perfumes and onions left a lot to be desired and may I suggest that it would be a day or so before the onion odour departed and I'm speaking from experience with them in the past.

Now Pancake mixture, oh dear, oh dear, four by two litre containers filled in the time it took to peel and slice ten Kgs of Onions? One person commented that at this rate we would still be there at midnight.

Not a chance. Out of the back of my car came a large mixing bowl used for making the family Christmas puddings and a beater mix Lion Christine and I soon worked out the quickest and easiest method of production that saw a full bag and half turned into many two and three litre containers full. In the meantine the food blender was still churning away with 375grams mix add 380mls water beat the crap out of it, add a bit of mix and a bit of water, beat it again, then fill a container to hald full and start the process all over again.

Well what the heck, we all had a ball at each others expense and that was what it was meant to be, a fun night. The worst part was cleaning up afterwards. However by 9:30pm all had left for home.

Relay for Life on Saurday 24th and Sunday 25th March was yet another experience. The moment the onions went onto the hot plates to cook and caramellise was the moment the hungry hordes decended on us. Hamburgers, Sausages, Savaloys, Steaks and Pancakes were in hot demand and at one stage there was a que fifty metres long. It was just too bad that Lion Sue Perry-Keene had boiled the kettle ten times to make coffees for us all. Nine times she failed due to customer demands. The tenth she just turned her back and did what she had tried to do an hour or so earlier. Sue that was a most welcome cup of coffee I can tell you.

Anyone who knows greek mythology will recall the story of the Argonauts and the Sirens whose melodious voices lured sailors to their deaths. Now would you believe me if I told you that the Sirens are still alive and well in the form of the young female adults who became some of our best customers. Talk about wrapping some of us around their fingers with their sense of humour and dare I say it, exceptionally good manners that little extras were not a problem. What surprised me most was the fact that the girls would ask for and get what they wanted while the boys stood back urging the girls to get what they wanted, the lazy beggers.

The resulting figure as of the count Sunday was $263,627.00 with more to come in. Add the $80,000.00 from the Smithton event and the figure becomes absolutely outstanding. Well done North Western Tasmania. You have again raised the bar to new heights with over $2.4 million raised since the events inception twelve years ago with less than one third of the population base of the state.


To all the Lions members, partners, and volunteers, thank you for a job well done. Our contribution has been estimated to be $2,200.00 for this year. Congratulations also applies to those Lions clubs and Leo's who walked the event from start to finish, well done all.


I will add images as soon as they become available from our club photographer Lion Sheree Archer.

Orientation of New Lions of 18 months or less membership

To my fellow Lions of the City of Burnie Lions club, and all Lions in District 201T1 (Tasmania)

As District Coordinator of the Global Leadership Team (GLT) I invite you to attend the various venues offering the new training workshops.

Our Cabinet Secretary Lion Maurice Jones prepared some 150 personal invitatations to our newer member in the District just prior to Christmas 2011. The response wasn't what I anticipated due to many factors, like the festive season, family holidays away from home and a myriad of other reasons. However, reminders were printed in the District Governor's newsletter of December 2011 and January 2012 and still the message hadn't sunk in.

You can imagine the disappointment of Regional Chairperson (South) Sue Johns and her presenters when only three new Lions accepted the invitation and the decission was made to cancel the workshop at Howrah on the Eastern Shore of Hobart.

The next workshop was held at Kings Meadows, Launceston. 4th February 2012 and attracted nine new members with presenters PDG Helen Moir, RC Derek Fellows (North), and Zone Chairperson Amanda Olson fresh back from the Lions Development Faculty in Adelaide. Although they did experience problems with the presentation package due to lighting, they were able to use the notes to deliver the message we wished to deliver.

Now we come to the lucky last Region based on the North West Coast. For those who read this posting, no matter be you a new Lion or an longer term Lion, you are welcome to attend. Our workshop will be held at the Penguin Lions Centre, Ironcliffe Road, Penguin at 10:00am Saturday 11th February 2012. Fortunately our numbers are in excess of 15 at the time of writing this post, and we have room for more.

The presenters are Regional Chairperson Anne Fagg (Rocky Cape), Nigel Sheahen Graduate of the Leadership Skills course (Wynyard) and myself from the City of Burnie Lions Club. It is interesting to note that the following are going to be in attendance. 2nd VDG George Bugeja, and 2nd VDG Elect Michael MacLaren, both Lions expressing that they are still "Learning About Lions" despite their longer term membership. . . . . . . . hint, hint!

May I also pay tribute to those good Lions who assisted me in producing the PowerPoint presentation. The final finished product was at 11:15pm 6th February (last night) Thank you Anne, and partner Chris Fagg, and Nigel. Now the proof of the puding will be the eating there of.

5th March 2012.

I am pleased to report that there were 25 people in all attended the training session at Penguin including the presenters and also several Cabinet officers. All learnt something and many a lot. So good was the session that we ran out of time due to the discussion topics that were raised. It was then necessary to run a second session 3rd March to complete the orientation process. Some who were at the first day were unable to attend the second which was unfortunate.

So where to next? The Orientation process hasn't finished here in the 201T1 District. There are clubs and members that need to be brought up to speed and it will be up to all the Regional and Zone Chair persons to identify them and provide the necessary training. I encourage them to do so. The tools and material is available available all you need are participants.

THE END OF AN ERA, AND A NEW BEGINNING.

Every story has a beginning and an ending. Sadly the ending in this case is the start of the story, and I'm not Irish. We have had numerous years of being on the receiving end of Lion John Matic's fine sessions. His research and humour are unmatched, and there are precious few who have managed to escape his grip on our pockets. His dalliance with the DG Elect Lion Dale Crawford didn't save his pocket either, so I don't know why he has such a wide smile on his face unless he was dobbing me in for some caper I was involved in. John chastised me when I stated that he was a "lousy" Tail Twister, nothing could be further from the truth, I was just giving him more ammunition to get his teeth into. Lion John you have set a bench mark that is going to be difficult to surpass. Now it is your turn to be on the receiving end of "Leonora's" gaping mouth.

2011 - 2012 and we "welcome?" a new Tail Twister. This Lion with divine help from above will try to reek havoc upon us lesser souls. So why don't we welcome him with a little verse to mark the occasion.
Old King Cole Poem.

Old King Cole was a merry old soul, and a merry old soul was he;
He called for his pipe in the middle of the night
And he called for his fiddlers three.
Every fiddler had a fine fiddle, and a very fine fiddle was he;
Oh there's none so rare as can compare
With King Cole and his fiddlers three.

In Humour: In the 1970's, the American comedian George Carlin offered this alternative, and now somewhat altered to suit the occasion.

Old Lion Brian Cole was a merry old soul, and a merry old soul was he; He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl - I guess we all know about Old Lion Brian Cole.

Any guesses as to who gets tuned up over this? Maybe we should all welcome him with a rendition of the well known rhyme.

LEARNING ABOUT LIONS

After the Information seminar in Melbourne in May, those who attended received two CD's. One was relative to training with tutorials and information for presenters. The second one was for the use of Membership Chair persons and also, new members for orientation with excercises that they can do in their own time on a Laptop or PC.

This disk is not limited to just the afore mentioned people. It is available to the long term club members as well and could well surprise many with what they don't know about the organisation they have been a member of for many years. To this end I hope to carry out a litmus test on my fellow club members to assess the value of the information that Past District Governor Russ Connelly has gone to great trouble to produce for the Lions of the Multiple Districts use.

I must admit to being a long term friend of Lion Russ after we first met in Darwin in July 1989 when he was DG of the NT, and part of SA. I was surprised to learn that he had been part of the old MERL training group and is associated with "Swiftsoft" who package the disks.

For more information regarding these disks, please feel free to contact me training@lionstasmania.org 201T1 Lions only other district contact your District GLT Co-ordinator.

For Tasmanian Lions the disks will be available from your Regional representatives.

North West: RC Lion Anne Fagg.

North: RC Lion Derek Fellows, or ZC Lion Amanda Olson.

South: RC Lion Sue Johns.

These Lions will have available a copy of both disks that can either be copied and burnt to CD, or downloaded direct to your laptop or PC after the District Governors Change over and Cabinet meeting 24th July 2011.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR CLUB STALWARTS

At the last dinner meeting in May 2011 two of our number were to receive the honour of Life Membership of the City of Burnie Lions Club. Both have given valuable service over more than thirty years.

Lion John Matic has had numerous years as a member of the board serving with distinction as a Secretary and also as Treasurer, Bulletin Editor, and a "lousy" Tail Twister. Not to mention his outstanding management of the Mint and Christmas cake committee. John also has been awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Strangely, he has never aspired to become the President of the club and shies away from the idea. His history in brief: 34 years in total as a member, nine of those years as a member of the Renmark, South Australia, Lions Club before his employer transferred him to Burnie. A club board member 16 years, 15 years consecutive. Secretary 6 years followed by Treasurer 7 years. Tail Twister 6 years. and Bulletin editor 5 years.

Lion Ian Lancaster on the other hand has been around the traps as the saying goes for thirty two years. He first joined Lions as a member of the Ulverstone Club, then transfered to St Mary's, later he was transfered again in his employment and joined the City of Burnie Lions Club. Ian has been involved for a number of years with Youth projects including Youth of The Year quests, Youth Exchange on two occassions (I think). In recent times he has devoted a lot of time to the Tasmanian Cystic Fibrosis organisation that has no Government assistance and was instrumental in District 201T1 conducting the tin rattle project at the end of May each year for the past few years. When time allows you will invariabley find Ian and partner Aileen assisting with catering in the food van.
Congratulations Lions John and Ian on a job well done. They both now join Lions PDG Roger Groom, and PP John Packham as Life members.

THE NEW LIONS YEAR 2011 - 2012

GLT and GMT. The way to the future of Lions Clubs and Members.
The year 2010-2011 has all but departed into history, and perhaps the most pleasing thing that happened was the hosting of our District Convention in November 2010. It was most gratifing that the whole event was so well organised that no one hitch eventuated.
I must say that the hard work by the organising committee did the club pround just as those members who pitched in to do the small jobs that needed attention.
It was unfortunate that our candidate for 3rd Vice Governor was unsuccessful due in part to the fact as club President he was unable to put in the ground work required to lobby support. Congratulations must go to Lion George Bugeja of the Ulverstone Lions Club on being elected. Lion Michael macLaren has already been given the green light by the club to renominate again this year at Spring Bay. This time around Michael has another year as a member of the district cabinet as a Zone Chairman, and in the coming year has been appointed The District Health port folio. All good experience for the times ahead.

To the incoming board of my home club, congratulations on you election, I just hope that you enjoy the challenges that await you in the year ahead. President Michael has steppd up again as President as well as his appointment to the District 201T1 Cabinet as mentioned above.
Perhaps something of a surprise was my invitation to become a member of DGE Dale Crawford's team as the new District Co-odinator of the Global Leadership Team (GLT). What I thought was a one year term. This turned out to be the start of a three year journey to encourage leaders in our mist, to take on board training so that we as Lions will have a membership that will adopt the 21st century methods of doing things.

We must change to survive, and no doubt I will say more on the subject later.

May 21st, 2011 took me, as well as three other District Lions to Melbourne to learn more about the new system that LCI, MD201, from there to our District, and lastly Lions Clubs membership were to take on board. Our two VDG's David "Dickie" Daniels, and George Bugeja were kept in order by David Triffett District Co-odinator for the Global Membership Team (GMT) and myself. No mean feat I might add, especially "(Trickie) Dickie". At the end of the day all four of us came away more than happy with our input, plus the fact we had done our homework. One could suppose that out of the 40 plus attendees more than half were left with their collective mouths open. The Tassie Lions were in town and let them all know it.

I read recently, that if we don't change our collective modes of operation by the year 2022 service club organisations will cease to exist world wide. A terrifying thought that all the good work done by those over the years, no longer available to those who need it most. Programs such as Sight First, River Blindness, the help and assistance to communities after natural disasters. The list is endless.

One can only hope that this was a figment of some persons imagination based on what has happened over the past few years. This then is the part reason I would suggest for the creation of the GMT - GLT teams that will replace Membership, Education, Retention, & Leadership (MERL) as of July 1st 2011. This will be a very real challenge in the three years ahead for all involved.

The term that Tasmanians are born with two heads could have an element of truth. We are after all twice as smart as mainlanders, and you had better believe it. The image is of legendary King Wilbert thought to have been born in the Emu Bay (now Burnie) area around the year 1864, and his genes have been passed on over the following generations of Tasmanians. It is a good story and I'll stick to it.

The image of King Wilbert was taken in the Centro Plaza Burnie some years ago. It is the result of the warped humour of a Rotary member who owns and operates Austins Caravans. Bass Highway, Somerset, Tasmania.

201T1 LIONS DISTRICT CONVENTION 2010

"Hands On For Friendship And Service."

DGE Ken Gatehouse's Theme for 2010-2011

Answer: You, the Lions of District 201T1

Dear fellow Tasmanian Lions,

From now till the District Convention concludes, this page will hold information for the District membership. It is our intention to provide up to date news of what is happening, progress in the organising, and who is the people responsible for arranging a successful gathering of Lions in Burnie 12, 13, and 14th November.

BURNIE, THE LIONS CONVENTION CITY 2010

Your hosts: The City Of Burnie Lions Club Inc.

Venue for all functions: Burnie Arts and Function Centre, Wilmot Street, Burnie.

Club President 2010-2011: ZC Lion Michael MacLaren.

Convention: Chairman PDG Lion Roger Groom.

Convention Secretary: Lion Mark Fishwick.

Convention Treasurer: Past President Brian Smith.
Convention Administration Chairman: RC Lion John Medwin.

All we need now is for you, the Lions of Tasmania to get behind our hard working team and support a weekend of fun and fellowship. We have it, come and sample it.

So where are we at the moment:

The Venue has been booked (2 1/2 Years ago) and a close liaison has been forged with the Manager and Technical staff of the Burnie Arts & Function Centre (BAFC.)

Catering costing and meal arrangements are completed and registration forms are available of the 201T1 website. Or your club secretary. Get in early for a weekend of fun and fellowship

Proposed set up of the Civic Theatre in place, including audio visual equipment as required closer to the convention date.

Proposed timetable for Opening Ceremony, and business sessions already planned and submitted to the District Governor Ken Gatehouse for any alterations that he may wish to make.

"If we come to Burnie what can we see?"

"Oh, I'm pleased you asked."

The Makers' Workshop: Something of interest for everybody, Makers, Hand crafts, Hands on paper making tours, Licensed Coffee Shop and Tasmanian Visitor Information desk. If you have questions, all the trained staff are more than happy to assist you.


Pioneer Village Museum: A short walk across the plaza from the BAFC. See the Early Burnie streetscape and where all the historic photo's of Burnie are being lovingly restored and archived by the staff and volunteers.

Hellyer Road Distillery and Restaurant: Looking for a bottle of smooth single malt whisky? I'll bet you are. A visit to the distillery only 100 metres along the road from the National Foods "Lactos" cheese factory you will find it. Visit both venues and take home something to remember the city by.

The Registration Data Base received from Lion Erik Madsen (Kingborough Lions Club) and has been modified to suit the 2010 Burnie Convention. Our thanks to him for his assistance. Also our thanks to Ms. Karissa Townsend of Burnie LINC for her work on modifying the database for us. It is one powerful program now with full reporting functions at the "click" of a selected button. It is now ready for use.

We are currently researching the feasability of conducting a partner's tour for Saturday 13th from mid morning to mid afternoon. "The Sights of Burnie" A conducted bus tour that would take in the many beautiful features of our city and environs. This would include short walks in at least two venues, so suitable foot wear would be essential.

Post script: 23rd November 2010. It is all over and the convention had to be one of the best held in our Lions District. The numbers of registrations were above what the Club expected. The venue was tops with ample catering facilities, and everything under one roof. Perhaps the highlight was the Saturday night formal dinner. with 180 Lions, partners and invited guest enjoying a magnificent meal, and equally good entertainment provided by the Burnie Concert Band.

Later in the evening we were all treated to talented voices of MD Council Chairman Bob Gilchrist and his lovely wife Barbara who sund songs from well known shows in harmony. Real show people that had the audience in their hands. Thank you Lion Bob and Barbara for the treat you gave us all who attended.

The time table as set out in the program ran like clockwork with a little time to spare which was easilly filled with items of interest. There were 19 stalls displaying the information for the various portfolios of District Chair persons in cluding the Rightious Pups group who train dogs as support for autistic children. Thes dogs are brilliant and need to be seen to be believes in what a calming effect that they have in recipients.

The image is of Rocky Cape Lion Heather Duffy making friends with the Rightious Pup at the BA&FC Saturday morning.

Platinumn National Sponsors.

REMINDER TO ALL 201T1 LIONS.

MD201 CONVENTION LAUNCESTON 15TH - 18TH APRIL 2011. A ONE OFF CHANCE TO ATTEND ONE ON OUR OWN DOORSTEP.

Relay For Life 2010 Penguin, Tasmania.

20th and 21st of March 2010 The City of Burnie Lions Club once again supported the Relay for Life for the 10th time along with other coastal Lions Clubs.

Our role in recent years has been to provide food from our catering van as a fund raiser for the Cancer Council Of Tasmania. In typical Lions fashion the project was carried out with the usual ammount of banter and fellowship without the addition of well known beverages packaged in bottles or cans.


Catering for the crowd of walkers, joggers and runners had peaks and troughs, but when the pressure was on, our Lions performed at top pace. The lunch time between 11.30am and 1.30pm saw steaks, hamburgers and the good old Snags with onions and sauce leave as though they were going out of fashion. then the Pancakes came into their own.

I left at 6.00pm on Saturday afternoon and returned at 6.00am Sunday to find some cooked hamburgers and sausages hanging fire. However we soon discovered that Lion Max Tavaski had mastered the art of quick delivery of pancakes because in the space of one hour we had sold over $250.00 worth before the breakfast announcement was made, then it died out with four ready to go pancakes left, six hamburgers, and about ten sausages. Three Lions going flat chat with hardly time to draw breath. When it all stopped we wondered what had happened. Then the clean up. If it didn't move, Lion Max had it in the sink to be washed. Fortunately, the sink was in the van, otherwise some our customers may have got a bath they either didn't want or need.

Thank you to Lion Wiston Foster for the towing of the van to and from the Penguin Sports Complex. It was much appreciated by your Lions Club.

For the first time that I can recall, the organisors advised all Lions Clubs to record their donations, funds raised etc. and record them in their Club's Activities Account. Lions District 201T1 Cabinet commented last year that there was no record of the monies raised by clubs within the district in support of the Cancer Council and where that money was being chanelled to. This year will be different, that I can promise you all.

When we tallied up the take Sunday morning, our catering had produced a nett take of $2530.55 for the event with 63 man/hours of work done by our members. A good job well done, and certainly appreciated by the organising committee. (the figure confirmed by Mr Allan Robson, Relay fo Life Organising Committee.) The total money raised is expected to be around $250,000.00 for the Penguin event and is already a new record.

No doubt we'll be back in 2011 all being well.