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March 2016

Where do I start?

All sorts of interesting things are happening in

the V6 Lions world. Registrations are rolling in

for the MD201 Convention in Echuca and

Wangaratta is about to celebrate its 60th

anniversary. On the project side Youth of of the

Year is building up towards the District final and

BlazeAid is winding down.

What a great effort for the Clubs involved in the

BlazeAid catering. Volunteers helping

volunteers. Alison and I have just spent the

evening at Barnawatha with the volunteers,

landowners and locals, Howlong Lions and

special guests. The special guests being

BlazeAid founder, Kevin Butler and host of ABC

radios “Australia all over”, Ian McNamara. Lions

have been heavily involved in BlazeAid support

Australia wide. Well done to all involved and a

special thanks to Paul Shortis for his hard work

over the last few months.

2016 is the 50th anniversary of Youth of the

Year as a national project. From small

beginnings in Brisbane in 1964 to the flagship

project it is today. If nothing else this inspiration

for our efforts with Junior Public Speaking.

Nevertheless, the national final of Youth of the

Year is a good reason to attend the MD201

Convention in Echuca.

The District Leo of the Year has been held.

Congratulations to Hanna Walkington of

Cohuna. Many thanks to Cohuna Lions and

Leos and families for hosting the event and to

PDGs Mal and Les for their ongoing support for

Leos at a District and State level. It was a little

disappointing that not all Leo Clubs were

represented, the information did go out.

We keep repeating that Leos are the future of

Lions, but I ask, is that going to happen? Will

our Leos want to become Lions? Will they have

a positive experience? Keeping our Leos

interested is no different to maintaining our

Lions membership. We have so many

alternatives these days. Lions, and Leos, need

to be motivated by the results of their

community service. The Lions experience has

to be more fulfilling and rewarding than the

alternatives.

March to May Membership campaign

Information is now becoming available on the

March to May Membership campaign.

Basically we are running a state wide free raffle.

The main aim is to get interested members of

the public (prospective members) to register to

come along to a Club meeting. Those who are

then eligible go in the draw for a cruise in

Cambodia worth $8000(donated by APT) plus

$500 towards airfares. Brochures will be

available to Clubs over the next few weeks and

a poster will be emailed out. Please take the

opportunity to approach prospective members

and familiarise yourselves with the entry

procedures as all entries are done online.

Best wishes to all Lions who have nominated

for Club officer positions. Your willingness to

serve your Club will be much appreciated by

your fellow club members. Secretaries, please

attend to the PU 101s as soon as possible.

To all those who are elected, please take the

time to attend the Club Officer training days at

Moama and Corowa. Attendance is essential for

a successful Lions year in 2016-2017.

Your friend

in Lions

DG Steve

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Dates to Remember

MARCH 2016

20th Wangaratta 60th Charter Anniversary

20th Region 3 YOTY Final

Girgarre

20th State Leo of the Year Final

Wangaratta

APRIL 2016

3rd YOTY District Final - ClubMulwala

23rd YOTY State Final

Mt Eliza

24th Incoming Officers Training

Moama

MAY 2016

1st Incoming Officers Training

Corowa

12th -

16th MD Convention - ECHUCA

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Dear Lions, Lioness and Leos,

On 19th February 2016 Cyclone Winston crossed the coast of Fiji, being one of the strongest weather systems recorded.

The devastation is immense, with 21 people reported killed and many more left homeless and without shelter. Your Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) has acted immediately with an Emergency Grant for the Lions of Fiji.

This will help with bottled water, food, blankets, hygiene packs, baby care, toiletries, medicines and temporary shelter to those in need. Fiji is a part of District 202K in New Zealand.

The Lions Family in Australia continues to help the Lions of Nepal and Vanuatu in the rebuilding of their communities, but we have the capacity and will to help other small nations in their times of extreme difficulties.

LCIF doesn’t forget the needs of Australian communities where over the last few years with the storms, flooding and bushfires which have caused so much damage in those areas.

Your donation to the LCIF Disaster Relief Fund will enable much needed assistance to be given to the Fijian people.

Send your cheque in Australian Dollars to your District Cabinet Treasurer. Your donation marked as such is eligible to go towards a Melvin Jones Fellowship or Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship.

Conduct a bucket collection in your local community. 100% of ever dollar donated to LCIF goes to the people in need. Please help

Yours in Lionism, Tom Becker

CYCLONE ‘WINSTON’ DEVESTATES FIJI

On the 8th March, members of the Club had the pleasure of donating over 30 quilts to the victims of the Scotsburn fires.

Janie and Sue, from Scotsburn, were there to receive their quilts. It was a very emotional evening.

LIONS CLUB OF QUILTERS VICTORIA

This is how a ‘special interest’ Lions Club

works, using their skills to provide assistance

and service to others.

HOWLONG FEED BLAZEAID TEAM

At Barnawatha BlazeAid Base with ABC radios Ian McNamara and Howlong Lions Club (tonight’s caterers)...and Lion Alison.

Be wise, save your eyes.

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12th to 16th May 2016 The National Lions Convention in Echuca is fast

approaching May 12th

. to 16th

.

Make sure you don’t miss it.

We have planned an interesting and entertaining few days of Country hospitality. Highlights include:

Opening Ceremony on the World Famous Echuca Wharf with a Civic Reception given by Campaspe Shire Council on the PS Pevensey.

Meet and Greet in the “Old Street” adjacent to the Wharf where scenes from “All the Rivers Run” were filmed.

Plenary Sessions In the Echuca Sports and Entertainment Centre with ample free parking.

Picnic Style lunches of BBQ pack or Salad pack (Fi-Sun) prepared by local and surrounding Lions Clubs with some entertainment or something of interest happening each day.

Club Hospitality an evening of Lions hospitality with Clubs in close proximity to Echuca

District Functions a chance for Districts to mingle with each other and enjoy some good food and entertainment on an evening when Past District Governors can also attend

Stew and Damper Monday -Echuca Moama Rotary will serve their famous Stew and Damper Lunch on the final day

Partners Outing cruise down the mighty Murray and share afternoon tea with Lions Partners from around Australia

Gala Ball The Convention will close with a Ball -dress in the era of the paddle steamers 1850’s to 1920’s (optional)

There will be some interesting entertainment happening throughout the Convention.

What else is happening at the

Convention

Lions Skin Cancer Bus will be at the Convention for Lions to be checked by qualified staff for Skin Cancers.

The Big Red Kidney Bus – an initiative of Traralgon Lions will be at the Echuca Caravan Park during the Convention allowing some Lions to attend who need dialysis as well as providing the service to holiday makers.

Two interesting Guest speakers will inspire us – one about Uganda and the other about the bionic eye.

Registrations close on April 29

th.

Please book now and come and enjoy

a Country Convention close to

where you live.

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On Sunday 28th February, two Cohuna & District and

three Rochester Leo Club members travelled to

Melbourne to attend the State Leo Conference hosted by

the Leo Club of Brimbank.

There were around 30 Leos in attendance along with Leo

Advisers and Lions members. National Leo Chairman,

Martin Peebles and State Leo Chairman, Les Harrison,

welcomed everyone then handed the day over to the Leo

President. Caroline Tang who explained how the day

would run.

There were four forums:

1. Leadership with Nam Vo - started work at 16 and

now at age 22, is the owner of three business,

turning over a million in sales each year. He

shared his leadership tips and his experiences as a

successful leader.

2. Fundraising & Community Engagement - Lion

Raechel Gleeson (Geelong) speaking about areas

to seek funding and ideas on fundraising.

3. Leo of the Year - Katerina Blekic (Sunraysia Leo

Club), who spoke about her journey as Leo of the

Year.

4. Lion Terry Hazlewood - over 40 years experience

as a Lion, he spoke about Lions Projects

It was a shame we could not attend them all. Nam Vo

held his audience captive with a great presentation,

audience engagement and fun!! This element is often

missing in presentations.

Leo of the Year Katerina epitomises the values of this

role. She is a very pleasant and friendly person, eager to

hear what others have done, keen to encourage and

passionate about her role as a Leo Leader. Her

encouragement to others to ‘just have a go’ is infectious.

She is a great ambassador for, not only Leos, but youth

and the good they can do if given the change and

support.

I attended the Fundraising forum with Leo Emily. A

PowerPoint presentation on Nazi Germany had me

perplexed. Although the point was how fundraising from

a bad situation has a good result, this was lost on the

mostly young audience. Surely, there is some great

examples here in Australia that could have been used

and something they could relate to.

Such as the Jane McGrath Foundation, from her death

came this wonderful organisation that puts so much back

into the community!

Lions Projects also, had the audience lost with acronyms

and detailed information. Though this information is

important, there are ways to get the message across at

their level.

Best part was left til last, “The Amazing Race” which

split everyone up into different groups, following a trail of

clues, and challenges to find the finish point.

Great opportunity to get to meet and interact with

others while having some fun, may have been better

at the beginning!

Cohuna & District Leo Adviser

Lion Lee Walkington

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Four entrants competed for the title of V6

District Leo of the Year when the Final was held

on Sunday 6th March, hosted by the Leo Club

of Cohuna & District.

Jessica Gray, represented Cobram

on the Murray Leo Club

Jessica is 18 years old and attends

Cobram on the Murray School.

Jazmin Clarke, represented

Tungamah Leos

Jazmin is 17 years old and attends

Cobram on the Murray school

Emily Major, represented

Rochester Leo Club

Emily is 16 years old and attends

Rochester High School

Hanna Walkington, represented

Cohuna & District Leos

Hanna is 20 years old and attends

RMIT in Melbourne.

All Leos attended an interview with three judges

in the morning, then presented their prepared

speech in front of DG Steve, District Chairman

Mal, State Chairman Les, Gannawarra Shire

Mayor, Lorraine Learmonth, Lions, Leos, family

and friends.

All entrants presented very well, the judges

selected Hanna as the Public Speaking and the

Overall Winner.

Due to other contestants withdrawing, (not

wishing to travel to Wangaratta??) Hanna will

now represent Victoria at the National Final to

be held at the MD Convention in Echuca.

Congratulations Hanna, thank you for

representing our District and the Leo Program.

Good luck in Echuca.

LEOS

Leadership Experience Opportunity Service

The Leo Program offers: Teamwork & Social Skills;

Self Esteem; Problem Solving & Decision Making

Skills; Career Possibilities; Fun

What ’ s In it for the Community?

Creates Awareness of Community Needs

Helps Improve community and youth relationships

Enhances community development

Improves quality of life for recipients and givers

Opportunity for youth to volunteer their services

Leos are also members of our organisation.

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BAROOGA

Im sure you are all aware of the massive drought reaking havoc in N.S.W and Q.L.D AUST. A fantastic group of people known as The Burrumbuttocks Hay Runners have been collecting hay and carting it into these remote areas every few months.

This is a great undertaking and the last run saw 119 trucks go up. This run leaving at the end of March has 220 trucks a huge convoy. You can go onto their Facebook page and see what they are doing.

We have decided, as a project, to help these wonderful people. What we are looking for is donations to buy much needed working dog and horse food.

They also need fuel money as it costs approx $2000 per truck and everyone that goes is a volunteer giving up their time and trucks to do this

There are approximately 1400 horses and 1400 plus working dogs in this vast area they are going to it is a place called Ilfracombe. We don’t have a lot of time before this run, so we are asking for your help. Rodwell’s in Cobram (VIC) are on board organising the feed.

Dave Cahill (Rodwell’s Cobram), Barooga & District

Lions members Linda Ryder & Darren Laffan,

Burrumbuttock Hay Runner, Hamish Bill are calling on

people to help purchase feed to be delivered to drought-

affected farmers, as part of the next Burrumbuttock Hay

Run.

While it will be an ongoing effort, Lions members hope

to send up 70 pallets of food; 35 for working dogs and

35 for stock horses. Each pallet holds 40 bags of food

in total they hope to send 2800 large bags of feed.

On Monday 22nd February 2016, almost 50 years

after the event, an historic over-site was corrected!

To explain we need to go back to the beginning;

17th May 1968, a group of dedicated community

minded men, to get together to Charter a Lions

Club in Barham Koondrook area, their sponsoring

Lions Club was Cohuna.

They had only been going a few year themselves,

funds were not available to purchase a flag set for

this new club.

“As the Club grows, we will fix this up” they were

told. Well, it has taken a while, but it has finally

happened.

A group of members from the Cohuna Club

travelled to Barham for a “Club Visit”, taking with

them a large wooden case. “Oh no, was the cry

as they entered the hall, they have the Travelling

Gavel”.

But it was soon revealed, President Allan

Walkington presented the set of National Flags to

Lion Tammy Barker of the Lions Club of Barham

Koondrook on behalf of the Lions Club of Cohuna.

Debt now paid….

If you wish to donate fuel money please go to the Burrumbuttocks Hayrunners page where you will find the Sydney Rotary clubs account details as

they are handling this part.

BARHAM KOONDROOK

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BENALLA

Social Event - Benalla Lions Club and Benalla

Rotary Bowls Night.

Benalla Lions Club and Benalla Rotary Club held a mixed meeting at the Moira Bowls Club this week.

Many people gathered to meet and greet. A lovely dinner was served and enjoyed very much.

Games of bowls were played till sunset then the lights came on in the perfect evening.

The game results were carefully checked and Lions were the winners.

Lions President Bruce Walker was presented with the award by Moira Bowls Club President Dale Goss and Rotary Past President Kelly MacNamara.

A great night was had by all!

Guest Speaker: Tim Shirley is a glider pilot and on the Committee of the Gliding Club of Victoria. He has been in Benalla for six years and feels that the club represents good publicity for the town.

The Club has over 200 members many from Melbourne and the local areas. There are also many international visitors. The Club was formed in 1929 and hosted the warfare training squadron for World War Two in 1952.

Training of pilots is also a vital theme. Long distance racing is performed by gliders. Last January a flight from Queensland to Benalla covered 1,582 kilometres.

The Council has kindly supported the conditions of the airfield. The gliders are also fitted with GPS units.

In 2017 Benalla will host the World Gliding Championships.

There will be races every day and this will generate more business for our town.

BEECHWORTH

The Club cooked a meal for Blazeaid and had a

wonderful time speaking to the Blazeaid

volunteers. Such a wonderful group of people.

Our own Lions Kerrie Howe joined the Blazeaid

volunteers and helped pull the damaged fences

down.

Sad news that Beechworth lost their only

Supermarket. It was a blow to the town. The

community worked together to ensure all had

access to groceries with the small businesses

stock basic items. The Indigo Shire put on a

bus service to Yackandanda for those citizens

who did not have access to travel to do their

shopping. The Council called on the Lions to

assist on the bus which we did and have done

since the fire. Here Lions Barry Mason caught

the bus to help

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COHUNA

The Club Final for Lions Youth of the Year was held on Thursday 25th February, initially there were three contestant, but one withdrew the night before due to school workload.

The two contestants, Ashlee Mason and Stacey

Barbagallo both came from the Cohuna Secondary

College. Ashlee and Stacey . Both contestants

completed the impromptu questions very well then

presented their prepared speech to a group of around

30 Lions, family and friends.

Ashlee was the Public Speaking and Overall Winner on

the night. She will go onto the Region 1 Final held in

Pyramid Hill on Sunday 6th March.

The Cohuna Bridge to Bridge is our biggest event of the year. This is an annual two day event, that raises funds for the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal and the Cohuna District Hospital.

Saturday, Triathlon is held, taking in some of the beautiful country side around the Gunbower Creek.

On Sunday, events include 8 km Swim: 8 km Relay Swim: 1.5 km Swim: 6.5 km Fun Run / Walk: 25 km Bike Ride: 50 km Bike Ride: 6.5 km Bike Junior: 8.5 km Canoe: 15 km Canoe.

This year, due to the blue green algae outbreak, it was decided not to use the Gunbower Creek for swimming or canoe/kayaking events

For the Triathlon on Saturday, they used the town swimming pool for the swim leg, with a very good result. Swimmers travelled up and down the pool in a continuous line.

The Blue green algae outbreak had a big impact on the weekend event, with numbers down by a third, so fund raising down too. It was pleasing to have many who had booked into the swim events, donate their entry fees to the fundraising.

Even though some events were cancelled, it was still a big weekend for Lions and all the other volunteers who work to make this a great event for the community.

On Monday 14th March, the club held a luncheon to farewelled long time member, Julian Lee and his wife Margaret. Julian has been a member of Cohuna for over 32 years, holding all positions on the board at some stage and a member of cabinet on the MERL Team.

Julian was presented with a “Chris August’ award in recognition of his work in the Club and community.

Lions Lady Marg was also recognised for her work over the years with a ‘Lions Community Service Award”.

Julian and Marg introduced the Local Community Phonebook to the club as a project, which is one of our bigger fundraising efforts still today.

We wish Julian and Marg all the very best with their move to Bendigo, and thank them sincerely for all their work over the years. Bike riders ready to set off around Island Road.

Stacey Barbagallo and Ashlee Mason.

With YOTY Chairman Keith Cummins

Over 30 Years of Service recognised

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FINLEY

As part of their ongoing maintenance of the Finley Cemetery Finley Lions Club (V6) purchased and erected a new fence in January.

A large number of members worked over three days to removed the old wire fence and erect the new.

The post and rail fence is made from maintenance free PVC and along with the recently sandblasted and painted front gate has improved the appearance of the cemetery immensely.

A group of Finley Lions Club (V6) members travelled to Barnawartha during February to prepare a meal for BlazeAid volunteers who have been working at the bush fire affected area since early January.

BlazeAid is a group of retirees from across Australia who provides manpower for pulling down burnt fences and putting up new ones as well as providing spirit lifting support for farmers.

The volunteers are camped at the football ground and offer help for as long as they choose.

Lions Clubs and other organisations across the area have been providing four evening meals each week since the camp set up and will continue until the camp disperses in April.

The volunteers will continue on their holidays while some will move on to other BlazeAid camps.

About twenty five BlazeAid volunteers enjoyed a roast meal, sharing fellowship and their stories with the Lions members.

Finley Lions Club hosted its annual Youth of the Year competition last week. Lions members and partners along with guests gathered for dinner at the Tuppal Hotel.

Contestant Courtney Sexton gave her prepared speech about youth suicide and answered to impromptu questions about the Victorian Rail system and refugees in Europe.

Judges for the evening were Zoe Whitmore representing sponsor, National Bank, Tabatha Smith and Ryan Lock.

Courtney will go on to the district final at Mulwala on April 3.

Paul Sexton, Allen Callaghan, Ray Healey, Peter Martin, Ron Beattie, Peter Braybon and Greg Brunt.

Peter Martin, Greg Brunt, Keith Kennedy, BlazeAid Coor-dinators Malcolm and Vickie McIntosh, Peter Braybon,

Allan Dixon, Steve McRae, Ken Lowry

and Carol Kennedy.

Zoe Whitmore, Courtney Sexton, Tabatha Smith and Ryan Lock.

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KERANG

Lions Club of Kerang do Clean Up Australia every year outside Kerang Golf Club, down the road to and including Sleepy Lane. Clean Up Oz is on this Sunday March 6th. Greg and Cheryl got in early and did the near side of the road outside the Golf Club and collected 3 bags of rubbish as they were unavailable on the Sunday.

Six members filling a trailer load of garbage bags on Sunday 6th, in very hot conditions. We hope that the general public is getting the message that it is not right to rubbish your own country!

The Youth of the Year Regional Finals were held Sunday 6th March at Pyramid Hill with 6 students representing their Lions Clubs. Kerang is very proud to announce that the Overall winner and also the winner of the Public Speaking section was Liam Ayer representing our club Kerang.

Well done, Liam! Liam will now represent our Region at District level in a few weeks time and we all wish him the very best of luck!

Farewell Max Mildren - Charter Member Lockhart Lions Club

At the age of 12 years he learned to play the Last Post & Revielle and by the age of 14 he became the Albury RSL's official bugler, playing at the dawn service in Albury for the next 20 years.

After moving to Lockhart in early 1968 he took over the playing of the Last Post & Reveille for Anzac Days at Lockhart and Boree Creek, also Remembrance Days at Lockhart.

He started the town band in the 1980's and was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Legacy, Lions, P & C, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Transport and Deacon of the Church.

Devoted to his family and community.

R.I.P Max, you will be missed.

LOCKHEART LAVINGTON

Finalists at the Club Youth of the Year were from the left Ester Robinson; Eva Medcraft; Lion Malcolm Scott; Ashleigh Grentell; Thomas Keatings; Carissa Marheine; Jessica Bennett; Regards Malcolm

Ester was selected by the judges as the ..Public Speaking and Club Winner. Ester will now go onto represent the Club at the Regional Final.

We wish her all the very best.

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BBQ during the Southern 80 in Moama, as usual it was a very busy time with Moama Lions serving breakfast and lunch on the both days.

Thanks to all the Lions that worked so hard and made this event a success.

Saturday was extremely hot and the guys cooking the BBQ's and chips machines were glad to turn them off in the afternoon. It is very hot work cooking all day.

Sunday was a perfect day weatherwise and like Saturday, we were flat out cooking and serving.

Another great event is over - the Teddy Bears Picnic at the Kerrabee Soundshell in Moama on 26th February 2016.

Thanks to all the Lions who helped out, you all did a great job and we had a terrific night.

This was the busiest BBQ we have ever had at the Teddy Bears Picnic in all the years we have been doing this event. We cooked and served non-stop from 5pm to 7.45pm. We even missed out on our own dinners, no time to sit down.

We made a decision to change our standard BBQ and only serve sausages & onions and chips.

Well, we made the right decision, we could not keep up the supply of chips and had to get more supplies in twice.

It was so busy that we had a big queue right back to the Rotunda, so thank you to all the people and kids patiently waiting to be served.

Unfortunately, we did not take any photo's this year, so we "borrowed" one from the Riverine Herald.

It took us a day or so to recover from our sore backs and legs. However, it was all worth it, to see the smiling faces of the kids and grown ups.

Moama Lions were very proud to award an "Outstanding Service Award" to Lion Ray Turner in appreciation of his dedication as a member of our Club and to Lions International. The award was presented by President Bob Hardwick. Lion Ray has been member of Moama since 1997 and has filled various positions in the club. He is our Mint Chairman and has been doing this job for 18 years and has put up his hand again for next year.

MOAMA

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NUMURKAH

This month has been a busy one - Whilst hosting some Bio-medical students and a visit to Lion Keith Nicoll’s Rotary Dairy which milks 60 cows at a time.

Lion Keith gave the Students and those Lions present a tour of his dairy which has up to date technology. This was during milking time at 2.30pm and then on to a calf rearing facility.

We then moved on to the Katunga Fresh Hydroponic Tomato growing complex. Peter Van de Goor gave all a very informative talk and tour of the two glass houses. This was an eye opener to the Students and Lions. The complex covers many hectares of land and a tour of the most up to date packaging area.

At the end of the afternoon we visited the local Monichino Winery for a taste or two. Lion Doug McKeown Member and Wine connoisseur went behind the counter and not only many a tasting, but informative talk on wines at our local Winery.

A very successful Broken Creek Market held on Saturday, 20th February with record store holders and a profitable morning.

YOUTH OF THE YEAR 2016 was held on 22/2/16 at the Numurkah Bowling Club. This was a very successful evening with a change to a more suitable venue for the occasion.

We had four participants, but one puuled out on the day due to illness. All three participants were excellent.

A special thanks to Lions Jenny & Doug McKeown who were under the pump as our Lions market was on the Saturday and they had to organise that, plus the Youth of the Year on the Monday.

Three contestants – Kate Mansfield from Numurkah Secondary College, Georgina McCracken and Blake Luxford from St. Mary of the Angels College, Nathalia were excellent participants.

Georgina McCracken was the overall winner of the Youth of the Year and Public speaking but it was extremely close.

Georgina’s spoke about “Childhood obesity”, Blake Luxford about the “Dangers of fad dieting” and Kate Mansfield spoke about the “Need to live life to the fullest”

Judges Heather Robinson, Mick Doyle and Ian Furness praised the contestants.

Georgina will now go onto represent our club at the Regional on

Sunday 20th March at Girgarre.

Good luck for the Regional Final

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ROCHESTER

A busy time for members with the BBQ at the Show on 26th February, it was good to see many Lions in uniform at the show, being seen serving their community. Dave was looking for his troops to man the van as the show got underway.

Lions fronted up again the next day for the Community Market which was well supported by people from Rochester and surrounds, some even setting the day aside to come and have breakfast each month.

One customer ordered 8 ‘Bacon & Egg’ sangers which put the cooks under the pump for a few minutes.

To finish off a very busy weekend the YOTY was held on the Sunday evening. The three contestants were Genevieve Foott, Molly Anderson and Elise Anderson

After completion of the quest the overall winner was Genevieve Foott with Elise Anderson being awarded the Public Speaking winner.

Genevieve will now represent Rochester at the Regional Final to be held on Sunday 20th March in Girgarre.

We wish her all the very best at this final.

The Regional final of Lions Youth of the year was conducted on Sunday 13th. March at the Commercial Club Albury.

Six students contested the final, three girls from Zone 10 and two boys and one girl from Zone 11. The three judges, two of which have previously judged at three levels of YOTY. stated, that after the interviews the six students were very close.

The Public Speaking section provided the audience of 48 with interesting and varied topics ranging from Feminism to Necular power.

The winner of the Public Speaking was Lauchlan Joiner, who attends St Pauls Lutheran College Walla Walla, and represented the Lions Club of Walla Walla.

The overall winner was Emma Hooppell, she attends Albury High School and was the Lions Club of Albury representative.

Zone 10 Chairman Gerry Hellman and I shared the chairing of the day, and we both feel

satisfied with a very interesting and enjoyable Regional final.

Zone 11 Chairman Dave McCormack

REGION 6 YOUTH OF THE YEAR FINAL

YOTY Regional Finalists - Emma Hooppell, Lauchlan Joiner, Esther Robinson, Duncan Howard, Kate Johns-

ton, Matilda Treblicock

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The Lions Club of Tongala were the recipients of two awards the 2016 Australia Day Celebrations - the Tongala Arts Person/Group of the Year and the Community Event of the Year Award.

The Tongala Lions have been active members in the town’s arts community for many years, helping provide enticing works of art and visual displays that show off Tongala’s history and achievements. Recently this has included the major undertaking to restore the town’s murals through secured funding in the form of a Grant from the Campaspe Shire. Members have been working for many months to restore the murals, which had begun to deteriorate, in order to give Tongala a sense of pride and ownership.

The club also helped secure new Christmas decorations for the town in 2015, adding three large themed paintings including a nativity scene and six new individual designs which received an overwhelming positive reaction from the community.

The club has been rewarded with the Community Event Award for its vital role in fighting the Fruit Fly menace across the district with their “BYE BYE FRUIT FLY” Campaign. Members made 450 traps during the appeal using 800 empty soft drink bottles which were decorated by the school children from the town’s two Primary Schools. A Public Meeting was arranged with Guest Speakers on hand to spread the Fruit Fly management message to the town and with the support of the Campaspe Shire, purchased 250 specialised Bio Traps to distribute free though out the town. The club will continue to monitor the fruit season and the Fruit Flies’ affect to help in future management.

The club is also proud that the 2016 Citizen of the Year Award was won by Desme Cassidy.

Desme is a very willing worker for most clubs and organisations in Tongala and is a very valued volunteer for both the Tongala Lions club and Lion’s Ladies. Desme is someone who gives unconditionally of herself for the benefit of others. She is a shining light of the community.

Following the Australia Day ceremony, in which the club assists each year by putting out the seating and cooking and serving the sausages, drinks and icy poles, members gathered in the lovely garden of Lion George & Lions Lady Grace

TONGALA

Tongala President Ken Chapman with the 2016 Citizen of the Year

Desme Cassidy.

The “Travel Gavel” clocks up the K’s from Tongala to Rushworth.Thirteen members from Tongala joined 14 members of the Rushworth Lions Club for a meal at the Rushy Golf Club to present the “Gavel” on Friday 29 February

2016.

Money raised for the V6 Foundation was $72.

Also, in attendance was Zonie Helen who took the opportunity to make an official Club visit to

the host club.

As well as presenting Rushworth with their Centennial Banner Patch, ZC Helen presented 2 Monarch Chevrons to Lions Len Schoenborn for 30 years service and Bruce Raglus for 15

years service.

Thanks go to Rushworth for a very enjoyable

evening and great fellowship.

Tongala Lions President presenting the “Gavel” to

Rushworth President Sid Sprague.

16

UPPER KIEWA VALLEY

On Friday, March 4, we ‘launched’ the new

interpretive signage at our Mount Bogong

Lookout on the Kiewa Valley Highway.

The Lookout was constructed by UKV Lions

many years ago, and has had a number of

refurbishments; but this is the most ambitious,

and should add a great deal to the tourist

experience in our valley.

It was all made possible by a very generous

bequest from deceased Lion Olly Reichl. When

Olly passed away last year, he gave the Club his

car, which we sold, and then decided to use the

proceeds to finance this project.

At a little ceremony in the relative cool of the

evening at the Lookout, with Alpine Shire Mayor

Ron Janas in attendance, and many of the people

and agencies who had helped, including members

of the Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association

(UKVCA), Olly’s son, Lion Jeremy Reichl, told us

how his father fell in love with the Kiewa Valley at

first sight, and that this ‘memorial’ was a very

appropriate way to remember him.

The UKVCA have, on the same day, unveiled

interpretive signage at Sullivan’s Lookout, on the

Kiewa Valley side of the Tawonga Gap between

Bright and Mount Beauty.

In other Club news, we are preparing for the

Conquesthon, on Labour Day weekend. One of our

biggest events of the year, it has always been a

good fundraiser. We organise a controlled walk up

Mount Bogong, for any reasonably fit person,

starting early in the morning of Sunday, from the

Mountain Creek camp ground.

This year is the 38th time it has been run, and we

hope we do not have a total fire ban, as this would

mean we have to cancel. We are all keeping our

fingers crossed for cooler but dry weather!

We have also made a move to involve some Mount

Beauty Secondary College students in community

activities. President Lion Keith Pike, on Tuesday,

March 1st, met with a group of twenty students from

years 10 to 12, who are keen to do some

community work.

We are not thinking of bringing them into the Club

at present (many of them might not be in town in a

short while!), but we are putting together a list of

projects and activities they may like to carry out,

under the Lions ‘umbrella’, with a mentor from the

Club.

Lion Jeremy Reichl (R) and President Lion Keith

Pike in front of the new signage, with Mount Bogong

in the background.

Sounds like the makings of a Leo Club to me. Ed.