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