District Governor S Message

District Governor’s Message January/February 2010

Welcome back everyone to a brand new year. Barbara and I hope you and your families enjoyed a safe and happy Christmas season.

It’s hard to believe we are halfway through our Lions year. We look back and wonder where all the time has gone. By the time this goes to print we will only have 11 clubs to visit plus any special events like Youth of the Year finals, Council meetings and Conventions etc.

The Christmas break gave us a bit of time to catch up on some home maintenance and of course spend some time with family and friends, but I still had to attend to various Lions duties, like preparing reports and dealing with the constant mail.

The days leading up to Christmas saw visits to Little River, Mortlake, Dartmoor, Colac, Dunkeld and Altona Meadows. Most of these clubs were celebrating their Christmas break-up dinner meetings and we were delighted to be able to join in with the festivities (although we did meet a couple of suss looking Santa’s).

We were pleased to attend a Civic reception at Colac prior to their meeting and were graciously greeted by the new Mayor who praised the work of Lions and the Colac club especially. We were suitably entertained by President Alan who sang and played the keyboard during the evening.

I was again pleased to present Alan J Holding awards to worthy recipients at Colac and Altona Meadows. It was also a pleasure on behalf of the Altona Meadows members to present charter member Lion Chris Pullin with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Chris, who was attending his last meeting with the club before moving to sunny Queensland, has been an untiring worker for Lions at both club and district level and will transfer to a club in his new area. We wish him all the best in his new endeavour.
On January 4th (at the ungodly hour of 6:30am!) I made my way to the steps of the Geelong City Hall to see off two coach loads of children on their way to Licola for a week of camp living. It was great to see the excitement on their faces at the prospect of attending such an adventure. I am assured the smiles on their faces were even broader when they returned with lots of tales to tell.

Congratulations to Brian Edward and his team in organising the event which I believe was for 84 children. What a tremendous effort. I must admit my only involvement was in greeting and handing out Lions lollies as the children boarded the coach.

I would like to congratulate The Lions clubs of Ararat, Stawell, Warrnambool and Horsham who have provided, on behalf of the Lions Hearing Dogs, Sound Field Systems for Primary schools in their respective areas. This is a great community service. Ararat also provided a Hearing dog to a lady in Great Western a few months back. Well done everyone.

On the weekend of January 15th, Barbara and I will have attended our penultimate Council of Governors meeting in Sydney. We will be accompanied by DGE Max and LL Chris. This will be the first training session for Max and Chris so we are looking forward to sharing this time with them.

I will report on any pertinent matters in the next newsletter.

We Serve

Bob Gilchrist

District Governor

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Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 3

‘B 2’s OBS’

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 3

I hope you all had a great Christmas and didn’t over indulge on the Christmas cake and plum pud! We enjoyed a relaxing time with our family and friends who have been somewhat neglected over the last six months or so!

In December we attended several club Christmas Dinners. Thanks for all the invitations but unfortunately we were not able to fit them all in.

Thankfully during our short break we managed to catch up with some gardening and housework! But, now it’s back into it as we head off to Sydney this week for the Council of Governors Meetings. District Governor Elect Max Oberlander and Chris will accompany us as they attend their first Training Sessions at the same time. I can’t believe its twelve months since we were in their shoes!

We still have 14 clubs to visit and our year starts with the Altona Australia Day Breakfast where we have been asked to sing the National Anthem at 7:45AM! I hope we can get our voices warmed up in time as we are not usually out of bed by then! We will do our best!

By the time you read this we will have had our Cabinet Meeting in February where I hope I will catch up with many of you over the weekend.

Please accept my best wishes to you and your families for a very happy and healthy New Year.

I don’t make New Year resolutions as I never stick to them, but perhaps we could all make this our goal: ‘We can give up when the road becomes difficult or we can keep on going until the view is much better. We are in the driver’s seat. The choice is ours.’’

Til next month,

Barbara Gilchrist

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 3

Lions Village Licola

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 3

Welcome to the next six months of our Lions year and may we all continue to work together in harmony for the betterment of our Community. I hope that everyone has enjoyed a safe and Happy Christmas and New Year.

Our November working bee weekend at Licola was a great success with members, partners, friends and children in attendance. The four children from Little River all enjoyed themselves and with the guidance from their mother, they worked together clearing the rocks from the oval – a big job and very well done.

Members from the following clubs travelled to Licola – Hamlyn Heights; Colac; Lara; Bannockburn and Little River. A big thank you to all for your assistance it was very much appreciated – together we all made a difference.

Various tasks were completed, such as cleaning the houses, mowing of all grass areas around the houses and the entire oval, removal of rocks from the oval, the service of the tractor was done by Lindsay, not to mention John and Lindsay having to repair the broken water pipe and after heavy rain during the night a large branch had broken from a tree in front of the self contained kitchen so Lions at work to chop the branch and clear it away. We all arrived home on the Sunday evening exhausted but thankful for our weekend away doing our Community work. Good funand fellowship was had by all. These jobs done, now the children sponsored camps for those disadvantaged and less fortunate children will proceed with the first camp commencing on January 4th, 2010.

January, 2010:

Lions Partner Lindsay and myself saw the excited children from the Geelong region boarded onto 2 coaches and leave Geelong Town Hall at 7:30am on Monday 4th January.

For some, this is their first camp and means five days away from home. These camps are sponsored by various Lions Clubs throughout our region and private businesses. The camp is a chance for these children to participate in activities, to learn and develop new skills along with having fun and most of all forge new friendships.

Our grateful thanks to the local leaders and volunteers who assist in various tasks throughout the duration of the camp. Those who give their time and without whom these camps would not be possible. Many thanks.

Lion Eva Barwise

Licola Chairperson 201 V2

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 3

November/December Membership Report

Members as at 31Oct 2009 / 1511
- New Members / 22
- Transferred in / 2 / 24
Less
- Dropped In good standing / 12
- Deceased / 1
- Transfer Out / 4 / 17
Members as at 31Dec 2009 / 1518
Increase/(Decrease) 2009-2010 / 42

Cabinet Treasurer’s Report

Re: Donations to Lions Clubs International Foundation Disaster Funds

When donations were first being sought to support the LCIF Samoa Tsunami Relief and Indonesia Earthquake Relief Funds, I was advised by LCIF State Coordinator George Barnard OAM that such donations could be allocated towards a future Melvin Jones Fellowship.

All donations that I have processed for these two disaster funds I have noted MJF on the advice to Lions clubs International whether Clubs have made the request or not.

I have also received some undesignated donations for the LCIF/MJF Fund which I have directed accordingly.

John Greenwood

Cabinet Treasurer

District Governor’s Itinerary

February 2010

4Camperdown

6Cabinet Dinner Geelong Sth Barwon

7Cabinet Meeting Geelong Sth Barwon

10Ararat

Penshurst & District

17Port Fairy - Belfast

24Inverleigh Liegh Valley

25Portland

March 2010

3Werribee

New Members

District Governor Bob welcomes the following new members who were inducted into the District 201V2 Lions Family during November & December and thanks the sponsors

New MemberSponsor

Anglesea

Harry G WendtDavid Morris

Ararat

Andrew Wills David McKay

City of Horsham

Mary V AntanoffLou Scholten

Deer Park

Lisa TopicMichael Clark

Geelong Hamlyn Heights

Sheila BodrpgkozyBarbara Burrell

Gai Reissinger Eva Barwise

Geelong South Barwon

Christine WhittinghamRochana Reader

Robert MolyneuxReinstated

Hamilton

Roger DimondBrian Simkin

John KielyGregory Hutchins

Inverleigh Leigh Valley

Peter DuffieldJohn Podgorski

Kaniva

Aaron Norman Transfer in

Lara

Cheryl WalsheJoseph Walshe

Leopold

Sondaruwan Geeganage Henk Wind

Merino Digby

Nick VanderbreggenJohn Kirby

Ross LeesonRichard Lane

Port Fairy-Belfast

Roy PollockNoel Frencham

Ann Maree MarslenJim Kent

Portarlington Drysdale

Stephen DyerLyndon Haskett

Portland

Margaret KemptonPip Donovan

William BurnsTransfer in

Rapanyup

Jenna HormannHans Hormann

Ian ReadingJohn Matthews

Torquay

Tricia BlaneAllan Bell

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – October 2009 Page 4

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 4

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 5

Health – Hearing, Mobility, Diabetes and LEHP

I would like to thank Lions Members for their support at the Camperdown Convention. I do appreciate your interest in the Hearing Dog and Child Mobility stand.

I received $130.00 in donations in my yellow dog and $360.00 in merchandise sales. Trevor Hirst assisted on the Child Mobility stand and received $220.00 in merchandise sales.

I received several pairs of used glasses at the Convention. I have sent a Christmas cake box full to Lion Recycle for sight.

Through the generosity of the Lions Club of Portland, St Johns Lutheran School Portland will have a Sound Field System this year. Well done Portland.

It was a happy Christmas for a Lara boy with the good news that his Kid Walker valued at $4,734 has been sponsored. A huge thankyou goes to Early Choice, Macarthur and District Lions and Lara Lions Club.

Max Begely

District Chairman

District History - Can You Help?

To enable me to add to the data needed for this project, I would like to borrow any old MD Directories or, alternatively, to receive photocopies of details from the Directories relating to Districts 201 C, F & V2.

If any Lion has any information relating to the District History that may be of help in completing the project, please forward it to me at my home address as listed in the Multiple District Directory.

Bryan Woodward

District Historian

Environment

Reminder to all clubs “Clean up Australia Day is Sunday 07/03/2010. Website to register

Crimewatch

The following clubs have made donations or purchased bears.

Birregurra, Colac, Geelong, Lara, Merino/Digby, Skipton, Winchelsea and Sacred Heart/St Joseph’s Leo Club.

Thank you to the above clubs and I would ask other clubs to please give this special project your consideration. Your local Police and SES would benefit by your club donating the bears to have on hand during traumatic circumstances.

Disaster

The following clubs have responded to my letter in setting up an Inventory of Equipment in case of an emergency:

Altona, Altona Meadows, Anglesea, Bannockburn, Forrest and District, Geelong Breakfast, Geelong South Barwon, Grovedale/WaurnPonds, Hamilton, Horsham, Lara, Leopold, Little River, Ocean Grove, Portarlington/Drysdale, Skipton and Stawell.

Thank you to the above clubs and I would remind other clubs to please respond to this important request.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Lions Family for their get well wishes, phone calls, support and visits to George over the past few months. George is currently in the McKellar Centre Rehab Geelong trying to get his legs mobile. He is walking with a frame and hopefully I will have him home soon. Your support has been greatly appreciated

Lion Carol Pritchard

District Chairman

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 5

New Members

District Governor Bob would also like to recognize the following new members who were inducted into the Lions Club of Altona, during May 2009, to the District 201V2 Lions Family

Garry Marks sponsor Thomrod Thorkildsen

Kaye Connollysponsor Maria Connolly

Wayne Jeschkesponsor Maria Connelly

Vu Long Transponsor Graeme Walshe

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 5

Youth of the Year

Lions International District 201V2 Newsletter – January/February 2010 Page 5

Happy New Year to you all, I hope that you all had a great and safe festive season and are now looking forward to the remainder of the Lions year.

Your assistance is required please…

There are still a large number of clubs to date who have not advised me of their YOTY Chairman. It would be greatly appreciated if these clubs could do so as soon as possible please. It not only lets me know that your club is participating in the Quest, it also assists me with final figures I must produce at the end of the Lions Year. To those clubs who have responded, I thank you

Also in regards to these figures, would ALL Club/Zone/Region Chairmen please advise me and send a copy of your “Winners Advisory Form” once your final has been completed.

Contestant Numbers- How many Males/Females

Judges Numbers- How many NAB/Others

Audience Numbers- How many

Schools Participated- How many

Once again I wish all Clubs the best for their upcoming Club Final and wish each and every Contestant an enjoyable journey through the Quest. I would like to remind Club Chairman to please pass on the relevant information and “Original Form” to the Zone or Region Chairman as quickly as possible after your Final is completed, and as mentioned above, please send a copy of your winners advisory form to myself. Please remember your Club’s winner still requires your support throughout the progress through each stage of the Quest.

To all Region Chairman, please make sure you liaise with your Zone Chairman and advise them when and where you will be holding your final, likewise Zone Chairman to liaise with clubs in regards to your final. Last year some Clubs/Zones were not aware of this information, please inform them.

Reminder of cut-off dates:

Club Final:Saturday, 20 February 2010

Zone Final:Saturday, 27 February 2010

Region Final:Saturday, 13 March 2010

District Final:Saturday, 27 March 2010 (Venue and Host Club to be confirmed)

State Final: Saturday, 10 April 2010 (Host District V1-4, Venue to be advised)

National Final:Multiple District Convention Mildura – 1 May 2010.

I would urge all Chairmen (Club/Zone/Region) to constantly visit the web site

There are some great aids to assist you throughout your year such as a “Running Sheet” for your Club Final, as well as updated Manuals/Merchandising etc.

District Final

I have received only one (1) application for the hosting of the District Final, after consultation with District Governor Bob I will be in a position to hopefully publish details in next months newsletter.

Malcolm Harlow

District Chairman Youth of the Year

Notice of the Annual General Meeting of all membersof the

Victorian Lions Foundation Inc

All Members, Life Members and Life Governors of this Foundation are advised that the

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

of the Foundation will be held on

Sunday 28th February 2010

Meet at 9:30amto commenceat 10:00am

at theBionic Ear Institute

384-388 Albert Street

(Cnr. Albert & Lansdowne Street)

EAST MELBOURNE

(Melways Map 2G, Ref. B/1)

Guest Speaker -Bernie Slagtman will be speaking on Voice Activated Bar Code Scanners for the blind.