october - november 2013 lions clubs international ......2013/10/11 · october - november 2013...

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OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2013

Lions Clubs International Australia Papua New Guinea Edition $1

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Giving peace a chance

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Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropyOCT – NOV 2013 Volume 109 No. 6LION

Lion – Australia and PNGLion - Australia and Papua New Guinea edition ispublished bi-monthly for the Multiple District 201Council of Lions Clubs International and circulated toall members.Published by MD201 Council of Governors and printed byPMP Print, 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton Victoria 3168.An official publication of Lions Clubs International, the Lionmagazine is published by authority of Board of Directors in21 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, French,Swedish, Italian, German, Finnish, Korean, Portuguese,Dutch, Danish, Chinese, Norwegian, Icelandic, Turkish,Greek, Hindi, Polish, Indonesian and Thai.Editor: Tony Fawcett, Fawcett Media20 Millett Road Gisborne South VIC 3437Phone: (03) 9744 1368Email: [email protected] Enquiries: Lions National Office31-33 Denison St, Newcastle West, NSW 2302Phone: (02) 4940-8033Lions Australia website: www.lionsclubs.org.auDeadlines: 1st day of month before cover date.MD201 Council of Governors: Ken Bradford C1,Rhys Roberts C2, Alan Cunningham N1, Allan McDonald N2,Deidre Schaefer N3, Bob Smith N4, Warren Latham N5,Ross Gibbins Q1, Gary Kenny Q2, Robert (Rob) Craig Q3,Delwyn Hallett Q4, George Bugeja T1, Stan Falloon V1-4,Stewart Pyers V2, David Barnes V3, Chandra Mangalore V5,Lynn Fredericks V6, Colin Strafford Heap W1,Alan John Hawkins W2Distribution of Magazine: Clubs and MembersAdditions to distribution list, deletions, changes of addressand of club will be made only when advised through theClub Membership and Activities report. Non-Lions, librariesand other organisations who wish to advise changes shouldcontact Lions National Office, Locked Bag 2000NEWCASTLE NSW 2300, Tel: 02 4940 8033 email:[email protected] Executive Director - Peter LynchManaging Editor - Dane La Joye, Lions Clubs International300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842 USAExecutive Officers President Barry J. Palmer, NorthMaitland, Australia; Immediate Past President Wayne A.Madden, Auburn, Indiana, United States; First Vice PresidentJoseph Preston, Dewey, Arizona, United States; SecondVice President Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada, Minokamo-shi, Gifu-ken, Japan. Contact the officers at Lions Clubs International,300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, Illinois, 60523-8842, USA.

Directors First year: Fabio de Almeida, São Paulo, Brazil;Lawrence A. “Larry” Dicus, California, United States;Roberto Fresia, Albissola Marina, Italy; Alexis VincentGomes, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo; Cynthia B. Gregg,Pennsylvania, United States; Byung-Gi Kim, Gwangju, Korea;Esther LaMothe, Michigan, United States; Yves Léveillé,Quebec, Canada; Teresa Mann, Hong Kong China; Raju V.Manwani, Mumbai, India; William A. McKinney, Illinois,United States; Michael Edward Molenda, Minnesota, UnitedStates; John Pettis Jr., Massachusetts, United States; RobertRettby, Neuchatel, Switzerland; Emine Oya Sebük, Istanbul,Turkey; Hidenori Shimizu, Gunma, Japan; Dr. StevenTremaroli, New York, United States.

Second Year: Benedict Ancar, Bucharest, Romania; Jui-TaiChang, Multiple District 300 Taiwan; Jaime Garcia Cepeda,Bogotá, Colombia; Kalle Elster, Tallinn, Estonia; StephenMichael Glass, West Virginia, United States; Judith Hankom,Iowa, United States; John A. Harper, Wyoming, UnitedStates; Sangeeta Jatia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; SherylM. Jensen, Rotorua, New Zealand; Stacey W. Jones, Florida,United States; Tae-Young Kim, Incheon, Korea; Donal W.Knipp, Missouri, United States; Sunil Kumar R.,Secunderabad, India; Kenneth Persson, Vellinge, Sweden; Dr. Ichiro Takehisa, Tokushima, Japan; Dr. H. Hauser Weiler, Virginia, United States; Harvey F. Whitley, North Carolina, UnitedStates.

‘We serve’“To create and foster a spirit of understandingamong all people for humanitarian needs byproviding voluntary services throughcommunity involvement and internationalcooperation”

C O N T E N T S

4 International President’s report

5 Special Olympics in Newcastle

6 Lions action

8 Council Chairman’s report

10 CC Gary’s big on family

14 LCIF grants change lives

16 Say G’day to a great idea

18 An egg-cellent event

19 Leo’s East Timor crusade

20 Soccer pros kick-start Lions Quest

24 Around the Nation

26 Committee Vacancies

28 Executive Summary

Page 7 - Peace Poster winner

Page 18 - Eggs in action

Page 10 - Meet Council Chairman

Our c

over

ContributionsContributions for the Dec - Jan 2013/14

issue should be submitted by November 1 to

The Editor, Lion magazine, Fawcett Media,

20 Millett Rd, Gisborne South, Victoria 3437

or emailed to [email protected].

COVER: World peace is thedream of many – and one ofthe best ways Lions can getinvolved is to encourageyoung artists to enter ourinternational Peace PosterContest. This year’s entrydepicted world identities whohave sought or are seekingworld peace. To find out howyou can encourage LionsPeace Poster entries, turn topage 7.


Lion4

SMALL LOANSSMALL LOANSPRODUCE BIG RESULTSPRODUCE BIG RESULTS

This year I am urging Lions to Follow Your Dream. That may seem cornyto some. But for millions and millions of people who live in poverty it’sanother story. They dream of a better life. They dream of a stableincome, an education for their children and health care for their family.

In India, for example, nearly 70 percent of its 1.3 billion people live onless than $2 a day. Many of us spend twice or three times that on a singlecup of coffee.

Lions in India have found a way for people to reach their dreams. Theyprovide small loans so people can start a business. It works. It’s worked inIndia for Lions, and it can work elsewhere. With these microloans people areable to lift themselves up by their bootstraps and earn a decent income.

The absolute beauty of microfinancing is that people help themselves. It’snot a costly giveaway program. Neither is it tossing money at people andletting them sink or swim. In India, training is provided. In some programssmall self-help groups offer support and advice as well as ensuringcompliance. These mechanisms have led to incredible success stories andremarkable outcomes for microfinance programs.

I especially admire microfinancing because the principles behind it remindme of the service of Lions. We don’t toss money at people. By giving themsight we empower them. We often engage with people, meeting andinteracting with them instead of writing a cheque and dropping it in the mail.Microfinancing recognises the basic dignity of people and the universalambition to better oneself and provide for one’s family.

We’re all in the same boat; with microfinancing we are reaching out toour neighbours with an oar and friendly advice on how and where to row.And we’re hoisting a sail in the boat to enable them to reach theirdestination. Where are we headed? Follow Your Dream.

When Sydney hosted the Olympics in 2000, I was privileged to helporganise the Paralympic Games in Australia.

I’ll never forget the opening ceremony. Some of the participants could notwalk on their legs, so they proudly paraded around the track on their hands.Nothing could hold back their vibrant human spirit! And that was just awarm-up to the amazing feats of athleticism when they competed. Despitephysical limitations, they ran, jumped and swam with incredible fervor, effort,and, yes, superior skill, speed and strength.

This year I am urging Lions and clubs to Follow Your Dream. The disabledathletes taught me that too often we underestimate our capabilities. Weshortchange ourselves. What about you? You have two choices. You canshrink your dream to fit reality. Or you can stretch reality to fit your dreams.The history of Lions is testament to the validity of the latter. For nearly acentury Lions have made dreams come true. Dreams are our stock in trade.

Making dreams reality is not magic. You have to work at it. The formula ispretty simple but foolproof. First, name a dream. You need to share the

dream with others, to put it out there so it lives and breathes and gatherssupport and momentum. Secondly, plan to achieve the dream. An action planwill literally force the dream to become real. Do this today, tomorrow or thisweek or month at the latest. Our communities need our dreams and ourpassion to serve. Our friends and neighbours await our energetic kindness,our We Serve approach.

We are who we want to be. Let’s not be night dreamers who wake up inthe morning and can’t remember their dreams. The day dreamers are fullyawake and alert. They think, what if I was able to do this or try this? Theydon’t just have a dream – they live the dream. Being a Lion is a great gift initself, a dream life in which we have the perfect opportunity to share ourgoodwill and concern for others. So, Lions, Follow Your Dream!

It’s easy to be awed by athletes and entertainers, but the mostimpressive people I know are the women who have been part of my life.

My dear mum, now 97, was loving and caring and a great role model aswell, volunteering at church and school and for Scouts. As a real estateagent, I hired and counted on middle-aged women. I quickly learned theywere particularly determined to grow their skills and be successful. As aLion, I’ve been amazed by the generosity and gifts of women. As just oneexample, Australian Lion Pauline Henebery has run the remarkableEducation Builds Bridges, enabling Lions to help disadvantaged children inIndonesia.

Perhaps the greatest move ever made by Lions Clubs International was toadmit women. Probably the second-best initiative would be to swell ourranks with them. We’re laggards in this regard. Fifty-two percent of theworld population is female, yet only 24.5 percent of Lions are women. Mydream is to increase female membership by 5.5 percent this Lions year tobring us up to 30 percent and then to achieve a 50/50 ratio by ourcentennial year in 2017.

We don’t want more women so we can puff out our chests and boast of amembership equality. We need the gifts and talents of women. They bring adifferent perspective, a different skill set and a new bundle of can-do energyand enthusiasm. They set goals, take on tasks and accomplish objectives ina way that men can’t, don’t or won’t. I don’t want to stir up trouble bysaying women are our better half, but they certainly are half of humanity andcarry at least half of our talents and capabilities.

Be sure to make your club welcoming to women. Seek them out andinvite them in. Make your mum proud and dream of the day when your clubis so full of sheilas that it needs to start reaching out to blokes.

Usher in new Lions era Usher in new Lions era

By Barry J.Palmer AM,Lions ClubsInternationalPresident

Barry J. PalmerYour Lions Clubs International President

Dream big to make big impactDream big to make big impact

DREAMTIME: Your LionsInternational President’smessage to “Follow YourDream” is spreading far andwide. IP Barry even recordedit proudly displayed by theyoung members of oneMelbourne school’s Leosclub. See story PAGE 15.


5October - November 2013

The new Barry J Palmer Australian Lions Childhood CancerFoundation Fellowship (ALCCRF) will recognise outstanding supportfor the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation’svision of 100% survival for kids with cancer.

A recipient of this fellowship will be recognised for being one of ourambassadors helping kids fulfill their right to a healthy life.

International President Barry Palmer, of Berowra, NSW, Australia, waselected to serve as International President of The International Associationof Lions Clubs at the association’s 96th International Convention inHamburg this year.

In 2009 Barry was instrumental in MD201’s national convention

approving the establishment of ALCCRF. Barry was a founding trustee ofALCCRF and remains an enthusiastic supporter of the work ALCCRFundertakes to fund impactful world class research into childhood cancers.

The beautiful timber used to mount this fellowship is Acaciamelanoxylon, commonly known as the Australian blackwood. The Acaciaspecies is native to eastern Australia with this particular specimen comingfrom Tasmania. Tasmania is often referred to as the “Island of Inspiration”,because of its large and relatively unspoiled natural environment.

It’s hoped this fellowship will provide inspiration for many in continuingthe ongoing fight against childhood cancer.

For more information, visit http://alccrf.lions.org.au.

New Palmer fellowship to aid cancer research

On 1 December this year, over 2,000 athletesfrom 32 countries will march into HunterStadium in Newcastle, Australia to kick offthe inaugural Special Olympics Asia PacificGames.

The Games will be the largest multi-sports eventfor people with an intellectual disability ever held inthe Southern Hemisphere and the competitionreflects the strong growth of Special Olympics inthe Asia Pacific region.

At the event, athletes will compete across ninesports and also take part in the Healthy Athletesprogram, including the important Opening Eyesdiscipline proudly supported by Lions ClubsInternational. At these games, we expect to see atleast 800 athletes participate in Opening Eyesscreenings.

As the host country, Australia is fielding thelargest Australian team ever at the Games with adelegation of 401 athletes and 114 volunteerofficials. At present they are all preparing hard toperform to the best of their ability, but they arealso busily fundraising to reach the team target of$1.4 million to support Team Australia.

Disability won’t stop them getting to the Gamesbut money might and Lions Clubs are encouragedto support local athletes, particularly those infinancial hardship, to ensure they are able to takepart in this historic event. It is unlikely that Special

Olympics Australia will have ateam of this size anytime inthe near future and for manyathletes this might be theirone and only chance to wearthe green and gold torepresent Australia in front ofproud families, friends and fans.

Outside of assisting with fundraising activities,there are also plenty of opportunities for Lions toget involved, either by attending the OpeningCeremony, spectating at events or taking on one ofthe many volunteer roles that will make the Gameshappen.

We also invite you to explore our Australia’sGreatest Champion campaign which launched on

23 September 2013. Just check out theI am a Champion website to listen to thestories of nine of our Aussie Champions,including Cameron Fraser from NSWwho is our campaign hero and who willbe putting his best foot forward on thepitch playing cricket for Australia at theGames.

From the site you can also send messages ofsupport to the Australian team.

To support the team or book an athlete to speakat your next Lions Club meeting, [email protected], or call Davidor Alex at Special Olympics Australia on02 8116 9833.

Find out more at www.specialolympics.com.au.

Special Oympians head for Newcastle

Cricketer Cameron Fraser and athlete Kristin Mercer will be just two of 400 Aussie champions representingSpecial Olympics Australia at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games. They and their team mates are traininghard to achieve their personal best in front of proud family, friends and fans. See Special Olympics story page 21.

Inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games launch in Australia

Cameron Fraser ... primed for action.


Lion6

Victoria’s Lions Club of Leopold hasbeen providing emergency medicalguides free of charge to local doctorssurgeries, chemists and pathology labs.

The club was helped in the venture witha $500 donation from the Leopold BendigoCommunity Bank.

The Emergency Medical Information

Book is a combined community serviceproject by Lions and Rotary clubs andAmbulance Services.

The guide contains all information andmedical records that might be needed if anambulance is called.

When filled out and up to date it can beplaced on the fridge or in your car.

Earlier this year South Australia’s West Beach Lionsmade life far more enjoyable for local girl GemmaCooper when it presented her with a Lions HearingDog.

Interestingly, the dog, named Wilfred, had earlier beenrejected by its previous owners and placed with theRSPCA.“If only the previous owners realised what a smart,obedient and faithful companion they could have had,”says Lion Jennifer Osis, involved in the project.

Jennifer describes the project as rewarding andhumbling. “To see how Wilfred and Gemma have bonded,how Wilfred responds to the sounds of a phone ringing, adoor knock, an alarm bell or a cooking timer – and how hegets Gemma’s attention – is wonderful.

“At our handover dinner we were able to present Wilfredwith his orange collar. It was a proud moment, not only forGemma and Wilfred, but also for the club.”

LIONS ACTIONEmergencies by the book

Wonder dog Wilfred

School’s in for brekky!

Leopold Lion Ian Crocos with Bendigo Community Bank manager Chris Stepins and LeopoldLion Bev McCrohan.

Wilfred the Lions Hearing Dog with his new owner Gemma(right) and West Beach Lion Jennifer Osis.

When Melbourne’s Glenroy Lions had a call from WestbreenPrimary School in Pascoe Vale asking for assistance in setting upa breakfast club within the school, itdidn’t muck around.

The breakfasts were to aid less-fortunatechildren in getting a proper meal beforecoming to school.

As the facilities were in quite a poor stateand didn’t meet required standards for foodstorage, the club identified what wasrequired and provided a number of smallkitchen appliance and sourced suitable

cupboards at a large discount through the localBroadmeadows Bunnings store.

Funding was provided by the club along with aconsiderable grant from the Australian LionsFoundation. Now about 50 students availthemselves of a healthy breakfast.

New breakfast facilities at the school and(above right) the hand-over.



Things are a lot more interesting around

Queensland’s Southport Special School

following the donation of an aquarium by

the Runaway Bay Lions Club.

The gift was made in conjunction with the

local Runaway Bay Shopping Village.

The special school caters for about 180

students with disabilities.

The Lions conducted a gift wrapping

service at the shopping Village in the lead-

up to Mother’s Day.

FISHY FASCINATION: Two students from theschool welcomed representatives from RunawayBay Lions Club and Runaway Bay ShoppingVillage at the handover. The aquarium waspurchased with the proceeds of a Mothers DayGift Wrap. Southport Special Schoolcurriculum caters for approximately 180students with disabilities from 5 to 18 yearsof age.

Special gift for special kids

Stop the leaksAt a time when we are being inundated with slogans such as “cuts, cuts, cuts” and “stop theboats”, it was time for Lions to “stop the leaks”.

Through District Governor Ron Way, the Swansea Lions of NSW became aware of an urgent pleafrom the daughter of an 87-year-old Belmont pensioner to assist with the replacement of her roof.

The club investigated and found a genuine need ... the roof was completely rusted away and herlounge room, including furniture and carpet, severely damaged. While her insurance covered thisdamage her roof needed to be repaired before further insurance coverage could be provided. As atemporary measure the local SES covered the roof with a tarpaulin until repairs could be completed.

Swansea Lions approached other local clubs and the Australian Lions Foundation, resulting in Lionspaying the full cost of the $7,000 repairs.

Swansea and Edgeworth Lions Clubs donated $2,200 directly to the project while other local Lionsclub donations came indirectly through their annual contributions to the Australian Lions Foundation.

Lions thank the repair company, GE Sault and Sons, which reduced its original quote, enabling themto fund the full cost of repairs. – Brian C Maclachlan

No more leaks: Lions and a grateful pensioner survey the new roof.

This year’s International Lions PeacePoster Contest has been won byAmerican girl Jenny Park with a posterdepicting leading peace seekers.

Now local clubs can sponsor buddingyoung artists for the new contest – buttime is short. Entries need to be in byNovember 15, with students 11, 12 or 13years of age on that date eligible.

The theme is Our World, Our Future Twenty four international finalists

represent the work of more than 350,000young participants from around 75countries worldwide. Since 1988 morethan 3.6 million children haveparticipated in the Peace Poster Contest.

For all the details, visitlionsclubs.org.au/activities/youth/peace-poster/

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE


8 Lion

From Council Chairman Gary

From Executive Officer Rob

We acknowledgedearlier that this yearis a special year forAustralian Lions withInternationalPresident BarryPalmer being thefirst Australian tohold this position.

It is my hope thatevery member will

celebrate this great honour we as Australian Lionshave and make an opportunity to work with theprograms that IP Palmer has put in place for hisLions year.

Our Lions year is to have some changes and thefirst one of these is the timing of our first Council ofGovernors meeting. Our District Governors wereinvited to join the members of the InternationalBoard when they meet in Port Douglas duringOctober and so we have deferred our normalmeeting to this date. It is a very special opportunityto meet with the members of the Board and learnabout their journey in our wonderful organisation.

I am pleased to report that your DistrictGovernors are all busy working with their DistrictCabinets implementing the many programs that arebefore us. The visitation programs are all well underway and are proving to be enjoyable andeducational for the District Governors and in somecases their teams. Membership is receiving a lot ofpromotion and I encourage each member to “JustAsk” someone to come along and join our clubs.The work of growing our clubs is a responsibility ofthe individual Lion and not just those members who

have accepted a position on the Club MembershipCommittee.

Our Constitutional Area has been complimentedfor the positive membership position we currentlyhave. Normally July and August are months ofchallenge for any area but this year we have beenfortunate to have improved growth during thisperiod. Please keep up the excellent work.

At the end of August IP Barry and Lion Annewere in Australia for a number of engagements andLois and I had the honour to accompany themduring their visit. They visited the Deaf and BlindInstitute, the Children’s Hospital as well as the LionsEye Bank in Sydney. At the sitting of the NSWParliament on Wednesday 28th August, the Speakerof the House acknowledged the position of theInternational President and the fact that Lion BarryPalmer was the first Australian to hold this position.On Thursday 29th August we were present at thelaunch of the “Follow Your Dream Foundation –Australia” at the NSW Parliament. This foundationwill be available to assist people in Australia whoneed help in their day-to-day living and assistingwith children’s education. There will be moreinformation about the International President’sspecial Foundation.

We moved to Melbourne at the start of Novemberto visit the Lionsville Project which is undertaken bythe Lions Club of Essendon. The Pascoe Vale GirlsCollege was a highlight visit to see how a Leo Clubworks so successfully in such a multicultural schoolenvironment. The Victorian District Governors hadtime for a special meeting with the InternationalPresident before we joined him at the VictorianParliament for a special cocktail party to again

acknowledge his position as the InternationalPresident by the Premier of Victoria, the HonourableDr Dennis Napthine MP.

The ANZI Pacific Forum was held in Bali this year.The location was very special and the opportunity tomeet with the Lions leaders from around the worldwas a wonderful experience. It was pleasing to seethe number of our District Governors and theirpartners present along with some of the DGs fromlast year. The forum sessions were well attendedand the entertainment provided was unique to thisspecial part of the world. I ask you all to startplanning to attend the Adelaide forum next year.This opportunity to be a part of the forum inAustralia will only come around every three years.

October is the beginning of our DistrictConvention time and this year we have theopportunity to meet with International guests whowill be attending various functions. Take theopportunity to learn from these leaders of ourorganisation and see how they do things in theirpart of the world. If you would like to meet theInternational President, he is attending the C2Convention in October and the N5 Convention inNovember. Please make your District Convention aspecial time to renew friendships and use theopportunity to grow our organisation. Enjoy yourtime at Convention.

We continue to learn about the many wonderfulopportunities provided to our communities by theirlocal clubs. May I encourage you to continue thegood works that make us such a specialorganisation to belong to.

– Gary Parker

Last month wereached animportant milestonein our organisation.At the end of Augustfor the first time, thepercentage ofwomen Lions inMultiple District 201exceeded 30%.

In fact, thispercentage has been increasing over the last 10years and is climbing at an increasing rate – anachievement worth celebrating thanks to the manyMembership Chairpersons in Districts and Clubs.

Women, of course, have always been part of ourAssociation as partners of Lions and as Lionesses,however as Lions they take part in the full,democratic life of our organisation. My own clubwas very proud to welcome five Lionesses as newly

inducted Lions in September this year.My personal view and the vision for our

organisational plan, is for broad and inclusive clubs.Our plan looks to a time when the demography ofour clubs reflects the make-up of their localcommunities in the fullest sense; men and women,young people and older people, families withchildren as well as retired people. A club like thishas the best chance of constant renewal, ensuringthat its work continues on through manygenerations.

Recently some of us attended the ANZI PacificForum in Bali. The Forums are a focus for Lionstraining, discussion and celebration for our regionthat includes Australia, PNG, Indonesia, NewZealand and the Pacific Islands. As well as theworkshops, we were treated to many exhibitions oflocal Balinese culture, excellent food, and theopportunity to speak directly with the LionsInternational Leadership, including President Barry

Palmer. We are fortunate that the next Forum willbe held in August 2014 in Adelaide, South Australia,and I would encourage Lions to attend.

Hopefully, many of you will have seen our free-to-air television advertisements appearing on yourscreens around Australia. If you are, please drop anote to our PR Officer, Diane, at [email protected] is keen to hear where you have seen theadvertisement, so we can work at getting it onscreen as much as possible. We will shortly be ableto announce the next part of the campaign that willhelp us reach some of the more difficult andcompetitive markets, particularly in our capitalcities.

You will see a notice on the opposite page aboutthe The Sid Packham Award for the best publicrelations or publicity program. We know that thereis some extraordinary work happening at Club andDistrict level on public relations and promotion ofour organisation, and this should be acknowledged.

Lion-Oct-Nov-8-15 Sect 2 _template Lion 10/3/13 5:55 AM

October - November 20139

ABSOLUTELY NEW WITH AN AMAZING VIEW PERFECTLY MODERN AND READY FOR YOULionsville has been a trusted name in our community for more than 50 years

and is a major project of the Lions Club of Essendon.

Please contact Lion Stephen Brown on 0400 576 196 or visit our website essendonterrace.com.au

Lionsville has provided seniors accommodation since 1962 and is nestled amongst 5 lush acres, only 8 kms from the CDB. It is close to transport, amenities and the attractive ‘cafe’ lifestyle that Essendon has to off er.

It was time to upgrade this facility into accommodation that suits the active, independent lives of a new generation of retirees. Stage One of this architecturally designed, purpose built new development is well underway with construction of 36 spacious modern apartments,

off ering a variety of views, due to be completed in January 2014.

Actual View

I would certainly encourage members to write tome about these programs. All it takes is a letter todescribe the program and a few photographs.Perhaps your club can join the Lions Club ofBinningup Waters, or District N3’s Public RelationsProgram as a winner of this award.

Finally, we will all soon be sharing in our DistrictConventions to celebrate the year just passed,acknowledging our successes and planning foranother year of humanitarian work. My bestwishes to you for a fun-filled, well-attended andsuccessful Convention.

– Rob Oerlemans

Coming up• Register early for the Tamworth MultipleDistrict Convention. It will be busy and someevents are strictly limited in numbers. Go tohttp://lionsclubs.org.au/conventions/tamworth-2014/ for information.• Look at the notice at right about the SidPackham Award. Entries close 28 February2014.• Have you met any past participants ofYouth of the Year, Leos or Youth Exchange?Invite them to reconnect with their alumni onFacebook. Just search “Youth Connect - LionsAustralia” on Facebook.

Show Australia how Lionsmake a difference!

Your Lions Club, district or committee can compete for a prestigious annual award forthe best public relations/publicity program undertaken in Australia and Papua NewGuinea each year.The aim of the award is to encourage and create a greater public awareness of Lionism.The award is named in honour of one of Australia's leading Lions, PDG Syd Packham,and is presented at the annual national convention.

Entries are often highlighted by way of features in the Lion magazine. All entries mustinclude the following:

• The object of the program.• Details of planning, organisation, sponsorship (if any) and implementation,

including number of people and hours worked.• Details of media involvement – and results.• Details of any other publicity used, i.e. posters, letterbox drops, banners,

displays, etc.• Good action photographs.

Entries should be no more than two A4 pages in length, excluding attachments.Entries close on 28 February 2014 and should be submitted to:

Executive OfficerLions AustraliaLocked Bag 2000Newcastle NSW 2300Or [email protected]


10 Lion

CC Gary’s big on family

Whether it’s Lions or home life, family comesfirst for our 2013-14 Council Chairman GaryParker.

A Lion for 18 years and in Apex for 16 yearsbefore that, Gary takes pride in the warm bondsthat hold together both his own family (picturedabove on a get-together) and the bigger Lionsfamily.

With four children (a son in Scotland, a son onthe Gold Coast and two daughters in Canberra)and five grand children, Gary and his wife,Lois, have happily committed their lives

to an intense year of Lions service. Originally from Moruya on the NSW South Coast

where Gary ran a funeral business, they have livedin Canberra for the past 25 years.

For Gary, affable, caring of others and committedto Lions ethics, becoming Council Chairman was anopportunity too rewarding to ignore.

Here he answers the questions and shares histhoughts on himself and his Chairman’s year.

GARY, BY GARY“I guess I would see myself as a caring individual,”

says Council Chairman Gary. “I’ve always tried tohelp people where I can and I have always beenself-motivating, particularly in my working career.

“I have been a sales rep for most of my life so Ihave had to keep pushing myself along. I like tothink I care for others. Across the board I like tolook out for how other people are going.”

ON BEING COUNCIL CHAIRMAN“This role is interesting in the sense that you thinkyou know what you might be going into but youreally haven’t got a blinkin’ clue,” says Gary.

Council Chairman Gary Parker on Lions, ambition, the future and his love ofa fine Scotch malt whisky


October - November 2013 11

FAMILY MAN: The Parker Clan (left toright) son Andrew, Emma and children (infront) Hannah and Euan (Scotland),daughter Anita & Chris – to be marriedNovember 2 (Canberra), Gary and Loiswith Madison, daughter Patrea, Tiana,Noah (inset), Rob (Canberra), son David,Johte and No 2 child due in October (GoldCoast). Photo: Johte Parker

high in the priorities.”Gary estimates that by the

end of his CC year he will havebeen involved in at least fivevisits back to Australia byInternational President BarryPalmer, while in a normal yearthe CC would have beeninvolved in maybe just one visitby an International President.

He is thriving on thechallenge, despite the timeinvolved, but admits with achuckle that he will need tobecome far more proficient atpacking a suitcase if he is to survive the year.

AMBITION AND HIS DECISION TO APPLYGary doesn’t see himself as super ambitious. “Ihave never really gone out there to knocksomething on the head career-wise,” he says. “Ithas only ever really evolved, although I havealways been prepared to take responsibility.”

It is the same with Lions. “I have experiencedLions in Canberra since 1995 and I was in Apexfor many years as well, so I have been around thecommunity service area of Lions ... but as a Lion I

haven’t really gone chasing any highs.“Council Chairman was one of those things we

sort of looked at and thought, ‘Well, do we want tohave a go?’ And I thought, ‘Yes, it’s something Iwouldn’t mind having a go at’.

“I reasoned that you only have one chance atsomething like this so you might as well try. If ithappens it’s great and if it doesn’t it’s still great.But it wasn’t vivid in that sense. We got to thestage where the invitation was there to make theapplication and we wouldn’t have been upset ifsomeone else had got it. Now that I have got it I

“It varies from year to year. I mean, last yearpoor old Lou (former Council Chairman Lou Onley)was running around with disasters underfoot, whilefor me this year the servicing of the visitationprogram of the International President has been

A WEE DRAMIt’s one of most intriguing interests of an Australian Lions Council Chairmen in recentyears. Gary calls it one of his “big fascinations in life”. It’s Scotchwhisky, both collecting and drinking it.

“We have gained the fascination over the past 10 years, since going toScotland to visit our son Andrew and his family,” he explains.

It began with a few shots and quickly his appreciation of the fine Scottish brewincreased.

While never consuming to excess, Gary likes to drink a little and collect a little.Two of the most treasured possessions in his whisky collection are a

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix (described as creamy and vibrant on the nose, withhoney and chocolate on the palate) and a Glenfiddich Malt Whisky Scotch Liqueur

(mouth-watering aromas of sweet cereal, roasted almond, boiledconfectionary and vanillawith a trace of spice).

“The Snow Phoenix was a one-off bottling following the collapseof a warehouse roof in January 2010,” Gary says. “To create thewhisky they selected casks from the damaged warehouse andmarried together some very old matured Glenfiddich to producethis limited edition bottle. The price of this one is increasing well.

“The Malt Whisky Scotch Liqueur was produced first off around10 years ago and they have now stopped bottling that as well.

“It is such a lovely drink and I was very sad when we could nolonger purchase it through the duty free store as it was never aretail product here in Australia. We will need to have some veryspecial celebrations to enjoy this one.”

Continued page 13

Gary and Lois with International President Barry J Palmer AM and hiswife, Anne.


13October - November 2013 13

feel very proud to be in the position.”The “we” in question is wife Lois, who runs a home-based day care facility.

“It’s a joint program because I couldn’t do a lot of the things required withouther support,” says Gary.

AIMS IN CC YEAR“I’m trying to look at the way we manage our districts in terms of reporting,”says Gary. “I’m encouraging the DGs to establish what I call ‘target basedreporting’, in which they set themselves some targets and when they lodge theirreports they report against the targets. So as the year goes on they can plottheir progress against their commitment, to see how they’re going.”

Gary introduced this in his own district last year and is hopeful its use mightextend into the future.

BIGGEST LIONS OPPORTUNITY“I would like to see more awareness in members of how amazing it is that wehave an Australian as International President,” he says. “I don’t really believemembers of our clubs fully appreciates what we have got.”

BIGGEST LIONS CHALLENGESThe quest to increase memberships is always paramount, Gary says, but hebelieves the organisation should also be working to “capture theenergy of the volunteer”.

“I don’t quite know how we do that in our current structure but Isee it as important. We have got all these people who are preparedto come and volunteer time but they don’t want to belong to a club.And unfortunately, some of those who have committed to Lionsdon’t always want to give of their time.

“It happens in many clubs. If there’s something really big on,members will do it but if it’s just a regular, mundane job they’re notreally interested any more. We have not adjusted to the fact somepeople have multiple interests these days.”

Gary also believes clubs should take more responsibility forthemselves, and that work needs to be done to inject moreenthusiasm back into the organisation.

“That would be a wonderful dream. I think we have become verycomplacent in some cases. I mean, if you look at the projects wehave, there is such a wonderful variety being undertaken to servethe local needs.”

FAVOURITE PROJECTCommitted to LCI’s Reading Action Program to improve worldliteracy, Gary has launched his own project based around a book byyoung Australian brothers Daniel and William Clarke.

The book, Tears In The Jungle, is the real life story of the twocourageous brothers’ quest to raise $1 million to buy back habitatto help save the orangutan from extinction in Borneo.

With their own challenges (Daniel suffers from cerebral palsy), thebrothers take readers on their trekking through the jungles ofBorneo to see the orangutan in the wild.

Gary became involved in assisting when he met the brothers inSydney and was moved by their passion and commitment.

Now he is encouraging Lions districts to buy copies of the book

as part of the Reading Action Program.“The idea is that buying the book is helping the cause of Daniel and William

Clarke and the orangutans while allowing districts to become involved in theprogram.

“And if they sell the book at a profit, they are able to use the profit margin toassist one of our own Lions foundations.

“DGs can buy the book and when they make club visits invite Lions to buysome books for donation to local schools.”

Gary admits it hasn’t been an easy project but he is keen to see it through.

BEYOND HIS CC YEARAsked how his life will change when he returns the Council Chairman’s gavel,Gary doesn’t hesitate.

“I will become Lion Gary again. I’m not big on titles. Never have been. Forme, the fact I chose to become a District Governor is something I chose to do.I’m still a Lion.

“It’s the same as being the Council Chairman. It’s something I chose to do.It’s something that is nice to be able to do ... but at the end of the day I am stilla Lion.”

Join Tony Fawcett, Editor of the Lions Magazine on a

Garden Tour to

We visit many spectacular gardens including Hidcotein the Cotswolds, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbienello

on Lake Como, Villa Cetinale and Ninfa gardens.

Visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, Londonfor the Chelsea Flower Show, Venice,Ascona on Lake Maggiore, Siena and Rome.

England, Switzerland & Italy

May 17 to June 7, 2014

TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL PTYLTD

1800 630 343Licence No. 30858

[email protected] www.travelrite.com.au

Continued from page 13

CC Gary’s big on family


Lion14

By Allie StrykerThis school year students inNew York might have a newfavourite class as part oftheir curriculum, somethingthat stands out a little morethan the regular reading,writing and arithmetic:learning life skills.

A program of Lions ClubsInternational Foundation (LCIF),Lions Quest focuses on socialand emotional skill building,anti-bullying, substance abuse,dropout prevention and servicelearning. The program isdesigned to create a positiveschool climate and unite thehome, school and community.

“Teachers who implement theprogram discover that strongbonds and positive relationshipsdevelop in their classrooms, while studentsdevelop important skills such as workingcollaboratively, making informed decisions,solving problems, and achieving their goals,”explains Joan Fretz, co-founder of the LongIsland Social Emotional Literacy Forum.“Students then choose to contributepositively and that maximises instructionaltime.”

Lions in District 20-S in New York weregiven a $100,000 Lions Quest grant fromLCIF for program implementation in areaschools. Lions will conduct 21 workshops totrain 660 teachers, benefiting approximately60,000 students across 13 school districts.

This grant was awarded as part of theAugust 2013 Lions Quest AdvisoryCommittee (LAC) and SightFirst AdvisoryCommittee (SAC) grant review process. TheLAC awarded just over US$1.4 million for 26Lions Quest grant projects. This is the largestgrant amount ever awarded at one time forLions Quest, LCIF’s social and emotionallearning program for schoolchildren.

While the program implementation in NewYork is a good example of a Lions Questgrant, Lions Quest is not only available in theUnited States – teachers have been trainedin more than 80 countries.

Following a successful pilot programworkshop in 2007, Lions in Zambia receiveda grant of $23,997 to implement LionsQuest for the first time. Combined with localmatching funds, this grant allows Lions toconduct two workshops, training 60 teachersto implement Lions Quest in low-incomeschools. This will benefit approximately 900students.

In other countries and communitiesaround the world, from Mexico to Lebanon toJapan and more, Lions Quest is helpingmore than 12 million children to becomewell-rounded citizens.

In the realm of sight, the SAC awardedmore than $7.4 million for 32 SightFirstgrants. As part of these grants, Lions fromMaryland, Delaware and Washington D.C.were awarded $567,647 to establish aLions-led low vision rehabilitation networkwith Johns Hopkins University. Low visionoccurs when vision is significantly reducedand cannot be corrected or improved withglasses, contacts or surgery. Through thisgrant, low vision training and education willbe provided to local ophthalmologists,optometrists, therapists and Lions, givingmore than 11,700 people with low visionaccess to services locally.

In Belize, Lions are providing assistance topeople with diabetic retinopathy. This diseaseresults from poor diabetes management andcan lead to vision loss. A SightFirst grant of$130,699 will help Lions expand the existingdiabetic retinopathy screening and treatmentservices at the National Eye Clinic and its fivesatellite facilities. Implemented in partnershipwith the Belize Council for the VisuallyImpaired and the Ministry of Health of Belize,the project will provide training in diabeticretinopathy screening and diagnosis,upgraded equipment and more. An estimated10,663 people will be screened for diabeticretinopathy and 1,650 people will be treatedfor the disease over the course of threeyears.

Through these grants and more, Lions andLCIF are making a difference.

By Christopher BunchThere’s strength in numbers. And progress, too.

At the 96th International Convention in July in Hamburg,Germany, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) andthe GAVI Alliance announced a partnership designed toprotect tens of millions of children in the world’s poorestcountries against measles and rubella.

“As Lions, we are excited to continue our work in thefight against measles and rubella,” says LCIF ChairpersonWayne Madden. “Through our partnership with GAVI, wewill focus on supporting routine immunisation andstrengthening health systems to benefit children indeveloping countries.”

Lions will also raise $30 million and deploy its networkof volunteers to improve access to vaccines through theGAVI Alliance, a public-private partnership whose missionis to save children’s lives and protect people’s health byincreasing access to immunisation in the world’s poorestcountries. The funds will be matched by the UnitedKingdom’s Department for International Development andthe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing the total to$60 million.

“We are grateful for the continued and generouscommitment of Lions Clubs International and its membersto improving the health of the world’s poorest children,”says Bill Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill & Melinda GatesFoundation.

Since 1968, LCIF has awarded more than $800 millionin grants to support humanitarian projects includingmeasles-vaccination initiatives. Although Lions areextraordinary fundraisers, their true value is measured insomething far more valuable than dollars: members.

“Having 1.35 million members around the globe is

LCIF grants change lives

Thanks to an LCIF grant, these children in Zambia will learnsocial and emotional skills through Lions Quest.

Lions partner toprotect millionsagainst measles

Lions in Kenya stand ready to comfort a child receiving ameasles vaccination.



incredibly powerful because most of the workthat GAVI does occurs on the ground indeveloping countries,” says David Ferreira,managing director for innovative finance at theGAVI Alliance. “We need help to mobilisemothers and fathers to get kids toimmunisations and to spread the word aboutjust how important immunisation is. To have thispartner that is so present and so committed isextraordinarily valuable.”

Local Lions clubs and GAVI will work withministries of health in developing countries toensure children are vaccinated against measlesand rubella. Lions will also play a key role insocial-mobilisation efforts by working with localleaders, coordinating community-level publicityand serving as volunteers at vaccinationcentres. Additionally, they will work ascommunity advocates by promoting vaccinationsat the policy level.

Lions have recently participated in GAVI-supported vaccination campaigns in Ghana,Nigeria, Senegal and Bangladesh, as well ascampaigns in Malawi, Madagascar andBotswana. The contributions of Lions are playingan important role in combating these deadly anddebilitating diseases.

Measles is a highly infectious disease thatkills an estimated 432 people every day, mostlyin developing countries, and leaves many youngchildren vulnerable to serious health issues suchas pneumonia and blindness. But measles canbe prevented with a safe, inexpensive vaccinethat costs around $1 per dose. GAVI providesboth the measles and rubella vaccines in asingle shot.

By 2020, more than 700 million children in49 countries are expected to be immunisedagainst measles and rubella through GAVI-supported campaigns. International partnerssuch as LCIF, the Measles and Rubella Initiative,WHO, UNICEF, the Red Cross and countlessothers have all played a critical role in thisglobal fight, but success will ultimately beachieved at the local level.

“We really need people at the communitylevel to get the job done,” says Matt Hanson,program officer in vaccine delivery at the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation. “In the end, measlesis a disease that happens at the communitylevel.”

And that’s where you’ll find Lions – Lionsdonating, Lions mobilising their communitiesand Lions fighting for a safer, healthier andbrighter future for children who need us most.

For information or to donate, go towww.lcif.org/measles.

International President Barry J Palmercouldn’t have been prouder when during awhirlwind visit to Melbourne he met themembers of one of Australia’s biggest andmost successful Leo clubs.

The all-girl club, sponsored by Glenroy LionsClub, is based at Melbourne’s state-run PascoeVale Girls College.

Since its inauguration in 1967 it has steadilygrown in size and, with encouragement from

long-time and widely respected principal HelenJackson, is involved in many community projects.

Ever eager to promote the worth of Leos, Barrydelighted in meeting the girls, makingpresentations and sharing and encouraging theirenthusiasm for community service.

Particularly pleasing for him was that, judgingby the vast display of “Follow Your Dream”artwork on the walls, the girls had obviouslyheeded his Presidential Theme.

Proud Barry meets the girls


16 Lion

Hornsby N5 Lion Bill Bradley isn’t one toignore a good idea.

So when Bill decided it would be good if thetalented local Chinese choir, which had performedat a One World Day event he organised, could singa few songs in English he set about achieving it.

With the help of a Chinese friend, he approachedthe choir and, aided by the Hornsby-BerowraUkulele Group, soon had them belting out Aussiefavourites G’day G’day and Home Among the GumTrees.

So good were they, they’re now due to performboth songs at the next One World Day function andwill back up with local Leos for a repeat

performance at anAustralia Day event in theHornsby Mall, where Lionswill cook about 1,300sausages for patrons.

Bill, incidentally, wonplaudits in the NSW state parliament recently whenHornsby member Matt Kean commended his“tireless dedication” and involvement in “countlesshumanitarian projects”.

“Bill established the Junior Leos mentoringprogram for education projects in East Timor andhas helped to raise funds for a much-neededmammography machine for Hornsby Kuring-Gai

Hospital,” the MP said.“I acknowledge Bill’s fine work and thank him

and his wife, Clover, for their ongoing commitmentto our community. They are remarkable people towhom we all owe a great debt of gratitude.”

Typically, it’s an honour Bill seems to have largelyignored, far preferring to cast the spotlight back onthe “magnificent work” being done by local Leos.

Say G’day to agreat idea!Chinese choir sings up Aussie storm



The Lions logo seems to be bobbing up everywhere these days ...even on the back of police cars.

In Tamworth, NSW it’s now on the back of the local Crash Investigation

Team’s vehicle.

It’s there thanks to the Tamworth Peel Valley Lions’ community work over a

decade in running low-risk driving courses in conjunction with National Driver

Education specialists from Sydney.

The courses educate the young and re-educate the not-so-young on safe

driving.

The Tamworth club is happy to advise others on running such courses. If

interested, contact Lion David Gilroy on (02) 6765 7769.

LOW RISK DRIVING SUPPORT: The Lions logo is proudly displayed on theback of Tamworth’s Crash Investigation Team’s police vehicle where it can beseen by all.

Lions on patrol

Sometimes even Lions need a little help.That was the case when South Australia’s

Goolwa Lions realised they were getting older andneeded help with their regular fundraising auctions.

Their Lions shed was filled to overflowing withgoods donated by the community but they werehaving trouble moving them to the Saturdaymorning auctions.

That’s when the local SES and CFS stepped in.In a wonderful act of reciprocation, the younger andstronger bodies of these men and women now helpmove the goods.

The two groups have a vested interest in theauctions as Goolwa Lions often provide finance formuch needed equipment.

In recent years they have provided thousands ofdollars worth of equipment the organisations wouldotherwise be without. Recently the SES received awater pump and a pole chain saw worth over$2,000.

The SES, which attended 160 call-outs in recentmonths, wil use the equipment for incidents such asstorm damage, fallen trees and flooding ofproperties and roof damage.

In August both organisations supplied volunteersin a massive combined operation to search for aseven-year-old boy who had become separatedfrom his parents and was lost in Deep CreekConservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula. southof Adelaide.

Then Yankalilla Lions, on the western side of theFleurieu, received an urgent call to serve breakfastto searchers at Park headquarters.

After breakfast the organisers decided to movecatering to a location closer to the actual searcharea so the Lions promptly set up for lunch in thenew location.

Lunch was served by just two Lions in waves assearchers cycled through the staging area. Becausethey were outside mobile phone coverage range,the two could not phone for reinforcements.

The massive effort was appreciated by the wearyvolunteers and, thankfully, the missing boy wasfound unharmed close to where he had first gonemissing.

Goolwa Lions and SES volunteers unveil the pole chain saw at a recent Lions Auction.

All hands to the pole saw


18 Lion18

It was certainly one of the most original and different fundraisersLions have held for some time.

The Lions Club of Logan City Marsden recently held its first SPARAustralian Egg Throwing Championships at Ormeau, Queensland.

The main event entails one person throwing a raw egg to a teammate whomust catch it. Another event is Russian Roulette, in which two people choosean egg from a six-pack of eggs. Five are hardboiled and one is raw, and theysmash them on their heads. The loser, the one with egg on their face, iseliminated.

In a huge boilover, a team of 12 and 13-year-olds won the title.Just google "egg throwing championships Ormeau" to get a taste of the

action.

AnEGG-cellent

event!Fundraising Lions left with

egg on their faces

EGG-CITING: Fromsmashing eggs ontheir heads tothrowing and catchingeggs, Logan CityMarsden Lionscreated an eventthat’s set to becomean annual fundraiser.



The eyes have it!To highlight World Sight Day (October 10), Lions Eye Health Program –Australia has been promoting the wisdom of everyone getting theireyes tested.

It’s a message that all Lions should heed.LEHP recommends an eye examination every two years.As part of the program, it released the following 10 things people need to

know:1. Over the age of 40? You are at risk of vision loss and blindness.2. Do you have diabetes? You are at risk of vision loss and blindness.3. Family history of glaucoma? You are at risk of vision loss and blindness.4. You may be completely unaware that irreversible damage is being doneto the back of your eyes.5. The only way to find out is by having an eye examination by an optometristor ophthalmologist.6. Eye examinations need to be conducted every two years and are funded byMedicare.7. Getting a stronger pair of glasses from the chemist is not the answer!8. Thinking it won’t happen to you is not the answer!9. Vision loss is not an inevitable part of ageing! 75% of vision loss isavoidable or treatable!10. In many cases, once vision is lost it cannot be restored.

For more information visit the LEHP website – www.lehp.org.au or call1800 010 234.

Leo’s East Timor crusade

Young Timorese(above and topleft) experiencekindergartenlife, while (left)Aparnareceives herpeace awardfrom NSWGovernor, LadyMarie Bashir,whileaccompaniedby Dr. JustinBriggs,Principal ofHornsby GirlsHigh School.

Hornsby, NSW, Leo Aparna Balakumar is halfway into herdream of helping provide 40 scholarships for young EastTimorese children to attend kindergarten.

With much hard work, her Leo club’s project has helped gain placesfor 20 Timorese children to the not-for-profit Encouragement HouseFoundation facility in Maliana.

Hornsby Leos are canvassing funds for the second 20 to start in thenew year.

Aparna, who visited the facility last year with UNYA (United NationsYouth Australia) and who was recently awarded a Marie Bashir PeacePrize by the NSW governor for her leadership in promoting peace andharmony both in Australia and East Timor, is one of the school’s mostpassionate supporters.

Encouragement House provides safe, clean and supervisedaccommodation for high school students from remote areas and morerecently pre-school classes for local children.

It’s aim is to concentrate on their studies so they might eventually goon to careers such as nursing, teaching or other trades and professionsneeded in this developing country. Of its first three high schoolgraduates, two are already at university in Dili.

Award-winning Aparna well on herway to achieving a dream


20 Lion

By Christopher Bunch

Sports teams have a way of bringingcommunities together, and Sandnes, Norway,is no different. The Sandnes Ulfprofessional soccer team dominates thelocal news, enthralls locals and inspiresyoung fans.

Sandnes Lions realised that soccer could bemore than just a community pastime – it couldbe a way to get Lions Quest Norway, a positiveyouth development program, into local schools.Through an innovative partnership, Lions andSandnes Ulf are bringing Lions Quest, and

soccer, into classrooms.Success on the playing field is often the result of

being in the right place at the right time – and alittle luck – and that’s just how it happened inSandnes. Lions Quest trainer Trond Rekstad’s sonwas playing for the Sandnes Ulf junior team. Seeingan opportunity, Rekstad contacted the local Lionsclubs about pitching a Lions Quest partnership toSandnes Ulf.

Sandnes Lions and Rekstad met with themarketing director of Sandnes Ulf and asked if theteam would be interested in becoming Lions Questambassadors in community schools. As it turnedout, the team had been looking for a way to givesomething back to the community, especially tochildren, so the team agreed and the partnershipbegan in January 2012.Players coaching kids

When Lions asked Sandnes Ulf players to beambassadors, they were asking for somethingmore: they wanted them to be role models, heroes,and – most importantly – teachers. Players wereasked to teach a 60-minute session to fifth gradersabout bullying, decision-making, saying no to drugsand working to achieve goals.

“Sandnes is a big oil community, and one of therichest in Norway, but kids have the same problems

as everywhere,” says Rekstad.The program is based on Det er Mitt Valg, the

official Norwegian version of Lions Quest, an LCIFprogram that has helped 12 million students in 82countries learn essential life skills that support

social and emotional learning,service learning andprevention of substance abuseand violence.

To prepare players for theclassroom, Rekstad conducteda workshop to get playerscomfortable with the program.Players teach a structuredlesson, but Rekstad wantedthem to make those 60minutes their own by sharingtheir experiences with

students. “You’ve made a lot of choices to be elite soccer

players,” Rekstad told the players. “You guys areheroes to the young. They look up to you, so wewant you to help convey these positive attitudes tofifth-graders.”

The players’ stories are varied, and so are thechallenges they have faced. Some dropped out ofschool. Some are from other countries and havehad to adapt to a new culture and make newfriends in Norway. All made sacrifices and toughdecisions to achieve success on the field. Whenstudents hear these stories and positive messagesfrom their heroes, they listen.A Lifetime Effect

“It means so much to the students when we visittheir school,” says player Bjørnar Holmvik. “It’s greatthat we have such a good curriculum for them.”

Students come to class wearing sky blue, theteam colour of Sandnes Ulf, and for one memorablehour, fifth-graders get to meet their heroes and talkabout issues that matter to their lives. Students alsoreceive tickets to a match, and at the end of eachsession players sign autographs, another reminderof a magical hour that will last a lifetime. SandnesLions hope the Lions Quest lessons will too.

“It’s important that all people dare to have

opinions, that they dare to make choices withoutbeing embarrassed about it. If we can make lifeeasier for some of them, then I’m very happy,” saysplayer Tommy Høiland.

When Sandnes Ulf players talk to students aboutovercoming adversity andachieving goals, it’s more thana cliche. For decades, the teamhad been relegated to playing inthe lower tier of the professionalsystem. But in 2012, 100 yearsafter the club’s formation, theSandnes Ulf team earnedpromotion to the NorwegianPremier League, the top tier ofthe sport.

The Sandnes Ulf team hasachieved success on the field,and it’s taken Lions Quest alongwith it. Players wear a LionsQuest Norway logo on the backof their jerseys. A Lions Questbillboard is on display at thefield, a short Lions Quest videois played on the big screenduring a match break, and

there’s even a radio spot for those who can’t makeit to the stadium.

The Sandnes Ulf players have visited 10 schools,and they have plans to visit 10 more by the end of2013. Students are getting the positivereinforcement they need, and teachers are takingnotice. Four of the visited schools have hosted aLions Quest teacher training workshop, and twomore workshops are planned for autumn. If Lions inNorway had their way, every school would benefitfrom Lions Quest.A model quest program

It’s better to build children than to repair adults –that’s the slogan of Lions Quest Norway. In additionto “building” healthy young people, Lions have builta model program in Norway.

Lions host an annual tulip sales program thatraised more than US$2 million in 2012, and nearlyUS$300,000 went to fund Lions Quest Norwayprograms. Lions have also established a fleet ofmore than 50 Lions “pilots” to introduce theprogram to local schools and Lions around thecountry. It’s working. Last year, Lions hosted nearly200 Lions Quest workshops, and nearly 400 ofNorway’s 447 Lions clubs have organised aworkshop since 2008.

“The program facilitates cooperation betweenhome, school and the community. The onlyvolunteer organisation in Norway that can offer thisis Lions,” says Ivar Tollefsrud, country director ofLions Quest Norway. “Through Lions Quest, Lionscan achieve visibility, respect and growth, and showthat we want to take responsibility for the nextgeneration.”

Through the efforts of Lions in Norway, and withthe help of community partners like Sandnes Ulf,the next generation appears to be in good hands.

For information about Lions Quest, visitwww.lions-quest.org.

Soccer pros kick-start Lions Quest

Sandnes Ulf player Edier Frejd helps students build life skills through LionsQuest Norway (above), while (above right) students participate in Lions Questactivities that transform their classroom for an hour. Photos: ©Trond Rekstad



MissionInclusionLCIF expandspartnership withSpecial OlympicsBy Allie Stryker

Officially diagnosed with an intellectualdisability at the age of 16, Ben Haackfound it tough going to school and insports. That changed when he joinedSpecial Olympics Australia to play cricketand soccer.

“Before Special Olympics I didn’t have anymeaning in my life and really didn’t have a life. Iwent through a lot of bullying and mistreatment inboth school and mainstream sports. Then I foundSpecial Olympics and through Special Olympics Ifound a life. Special Olympics has given me and myfamily hope, support, respect and meaning,”explained Haack in a speech in July at the 96thInternational Convention in Hamburg.

Past International President Wing-Kun Tamannounced in Hamburg the expansion ofOpening Eyes, Lions Clubs International’spartnership with Special Olympics. FormerNBA star Yao Ming, a Special Olympics boardmember; Timothy Shriver, Special Olympicschairman and CEO; and Haack sharedtestimonies and inspirational stories. Haack, alongtime Special Olympics participant and aleader for Special Olympics Australia, haswitnessed firsthand the contributions of Lionsclubs in Australia toward the health andinclusion of athletes. “Lions Clubs have doneso much and continue to do so much forSpecial Olympics athletes across the world ...

thank you!” said Haack. “I have seen Lionsclubs help my fellow athletes, giving themeyeglasses and a chance to develop as anathlete and a person. I have seen them havefun together. That is the most importantthing.”

Since 2001, Special Olympics and LCI havescreened more than 325,000 SpecialOlympics athletes, and have provided morethan 100,000 athletes with high qualityprescription eyeglasses with the help of globalsuppliers Essilor International and SafiloGroup.

“I think it is almost impossible for words tocapture what the gift of vision is to (theathletes). For so much of their lives, they aretold not just that it might not be important forthem to see, but it just isn’t important forthem to be,” said Shriver. “We have never hada more significant partnership. The partnershipexpansion includes creating leadershipopportunities for Special Olympics athletes,increasing the health work of SpecialOlympics, conducting outreach to families foradditional support and allowing for bothorganisations to reach more young peoplethrough inclusive sports and advocacyprograms. The goal is full acceptance andinclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

“Lions already joined the Opening Eyesproject, helping Special Olympic athletesreceive proper vision care. We are excited todo even more health programs, sportsprograms and family activities, and together,we can even make them better,” said Yao.

This expansion is also designed to highlightLCI’s global and community leadership.

“Thank you, Lions clubs, for your continuedsupport, but more importantly for your belief inpeople like me,” said Haack. “Your support willallow us to reach more young people andempower our athletes to be leaders. Theseactions will help build understanding andbreak down barriers and bullying and willcreate communities of acceptanceeverywhere.”

LCIF ChairpersonWayne Madden sharesan athlete’s excitementover new glasses at anOpening Eyesscreening.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of anursing home in an Australian country town, it wasbelieved he had left nothing of any value. Later,when the nurses were going through his meagrepossessions, they found this poem.

Its quality and content so impressed the staff thatcopies were made and distributed to every nurse in thehospital. The old man's sole bequest to posterity hassince appeared around the country.

Life of a manWHAT do you see, nurses? ... What do you see? ... Whatare you thinking when you're looking at me? A cranky oldman, ... not very wise, ... uncertain of habit ... withfaraway eyes? ... Who dribbles his food ... and makes noreply. When you say in a loud voice: 'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice ... the things that you do. Andforever is losing ... a sock or shoe? Who, resisting or not... let's you do as you will, with bathing and feeding ... thelong day to fill? Is that what you're thinking? ... Is thatwhat you see? Then open your eyes, nurse, you're notlooking at me. I'll tell you who I am ... as I sit here so still... as I do at your bidding ... as I eat at your will. I'm asmall child of 10 ... with a father and mother, brothersand sisters ... who love one another.

A young boy of 16 ... with wings on his feet, dreamingthat soon now ... a lover he'll meet. A groom soon at 20... my heart gives a leap. Remembering the vows ... that Ipromised to keep. At 25, now ... I have young of my own.Who need me to guide ... and a secure happy home. Aman of 30 ... my young now growing fast, bound to eachother ... with ties that should last.

At 40, my young sons ... have grown and are gone, butmy woman is beside me ... to see I don't mourn. At 50,once more ... babies play 'round my knee. Again, weknow children ... my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me ... my wife is now dead. I lookat the future ... I shudder with dread. For my young are allrearing ... young of their own. And I think of the years ...and the love that I've known. I'm now an old man ... andnature is cruel. It's jest to make old age ... look like a fool.The body, it crumbles ... grace and vigour, depart. There isnow a stone ... where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass ... a young man still dwells,and now and again ... my battered heart swells, Iremember the joys ... I remember the pain. And I'm lovingand living ... life over again. I think of the years, all toofew ... gone too fast. And accept the stark fact ... thatnothing can last. So open your eyes, people ... open andsee. Not a cranky old man ... look closer ... see ME!

Reprinted from the 201 V5 newsletter

Ode to a lifeThe poem that’s changingthe way we look atageing


22 Lion

Technology can make a world ofdifference – especially to people likeDon Sinclair.

When Don, well known in Victoria’sBeechworth region, suffered a stroke-likeillness some time ago, he was suddenlyunable to achieve many things.

But with the help of technology andthe Beechworth Lions Club that ischanging a little.

Previously the club donated softwarefor use in Don’s rehabilitation andrecently it followed with a SamsungGalaxy 2 10.1-inch tablet, a stylus andprotective case/stand.

With the versatile and lightweighttablet, Don will be able to send andreceive emails, video messages fromvisitors and trades people who need toleave a message, use the alarm andschedule and remind himself ofappointments.

Don will be able to take it with himwhen he goes out in his wheelchair.When personalised with his chosenapps, the tablet will do even more forDon rather than him relying on his expert“air writing” form of communication.

With the help of family friend DaveSteve, who also owns a Samsung Galaxy

tab 2, Don is already able to type on thekeyboard and use the stylus withdexterity.

Don typed a message to theBeechworth Lions Club on his tabletsaying “Thank you” and made a video ofthe hand-over afternoon.

This is just another example of how asmall Lions club and its dedicated andhard working members can serve theirlocal communities.

Just the right tablet for Don

Lionism is all about people. We volunteerour time and expertise to help people lessfortunate.

With this in mind the Lions-based Lifesaver

Foundation is tapping into the worldwide

phenomenon of Little People stickers that are

seen on the rear window of many cars these

days.

The stickers, which you will find inserted in

this issue of the Lion magazine, have been a

financial success for the original promoters and

the Lifesaver Foundation hopes they will be a

PR success for it. The Foundation sees them as

a great way to promote Lionism.

The best way to remove the Little People

Stickers is to lift them from the left hand side

near the character's head. If any Lion has a

problem and damages the stickers they can

obtain a new ones by emailing Doug Omond

([email protected]) or phoning

Doug on 08 82390203.

The Lifesaver Foundation was formed in

1985 with a grant of $200,000 from the

original suppliers of the Lion Mints,” says PDG

Brian McGrath OAM, a director of the

foundation.

“The foundation still has the

$200,000 and for the last 26 years we

have used the interest to increase the

awareness of the great work that is

done in the name of Lionism.”

Australian Lionesses will receive

their stickers from their

chairperson.

Current trustees of the

foundation are PDG Doug

Omond OAM from South

Australia, PDG Brian

McGrath OAM from Queensland and James

MacLeod from Victoria.

YOUR LITTLE PEOPLE STICKERS

TABLET TIME:Members of theLions ClubChristine Luckmanand Graeme andLesley Smartpresented thetablet to Don athis home in SilverCreek.



William R (Bill) Tresise MBE is hailed bymany as the founder of Lions in Australia andhis firsts keep on coming.

A book on his life as a Lion has just sold out.The sellout book, Lion Bill – his journey to

establish Lions in Australia, was written by his sonMax Tresise, a member of Victoria’s Lions Club ofHeathmont.

But those wishing to learn a little more aboutthe early years of Lions in Australia needn’t worry.A second printing has just come off the presses.

Author Max Tresise self-funded the first printingand now reports publishing and printing cost havebeen recouped.

Happily for Lions Australia, total proceeds fromthe new printing will go to the ALF (AustralianLions Foundation) for distribution to communityprojects.

Max invites clubs to take on the sale of the bookas a “fully road tested” PR project.

The books are available in packs of three,posted anywhere in Australia for $115.

“It’s an opportunity for clubs to express theirpride, demonstrate confidence and promote theirorganisation to the community in which theyserve,” he said.

Max would like to see books gifted locally toorganisations such as libraries, newspapers andhistorical societies, as well as being used forpresentations to guests, dignitaries, Youth of theYear judges and others.

Delighted by the book’s early success, Maxthanked the many Lions who contributedinformation and provided help, and those whowere the inspiration for the book.

“This publication records their passion,

commitment and achievementsfrom the planting of the seed ofLionism in Lismore in 1947,escalating towards recognitionas an integral part of ourcommunities and indeed theworld as we proudlyacknowledge InternationalPresident BarryPalmer as ourhome-grown leader.”

For more detailson obtaining copies,email Max [email protected].

About the BookIn was 1946 whenWilliam R (Bill) Tresise asNational President ofApex, then aged 39 (onthe cusp of Apex40-year compulsoryretirement age).

During his two-year term, it was widely knownBill was motivated by his vision to establish anongoing community service organisation similar toApex but without age restrictions. Whilst on a life-changing speaking/study tour of Canada and USAfortuitously Bill met Melvyn Jones (founder of LionsInternational).

In Bill’s words 'Providence provides'.His journal relates to the intense interview

process, leading to his appointment by theinternational board as Acting District Governor toestablish Lions in Australia. Unpaid, he was

advised to “go carefully on expenses”.Soon he achieved his first objective, the

chartering of the first club, in his home town ofLismore in September 1947. This was only thebeginning of a lifelong dedication and passion forLions until his early death, shortly after theBrisbane MD Convention in 1975.

The contents of this book have evolved beyonda biography on 'Lion Bill' with selected socialhistory excerpts of Lions in Australia andfascinating profiles on distinguished and true blueLions, plus a sample of unique Lions projects.

Lion Bill lives onSecond printing for the book on thefounding of Lions in Australia and theman who achieved it

PRINT SUCCESS: Lion and authorMax Tresise with his book.

While Lions is on a crusade to attract youth, George England, 90, reckons theorganisation still has lots to offer the not-so-young.

George, a member of the Lions Club of Booragoon, credits his good state of health andparticipation in society to his long Lions membership. “It has kept me on my feet,” he says.

Throughout his 54-year membership he has been a charter member of both the Minyipand Sandringham clubs, a member of Dandenong Lions, and since 1985 a member ofBooragoon Lions in W2.

“My club’s schedule of activities gives me ongoing motivation to get involved, voice myopinion, maintain fitness and enjoy the company of a diverse cross-section of the localcommunity. I look forward to club meetings.”

Booragoon President Pam Howard says George is a perfect example of what Lions isreally all about.

Don’t talk to George about getting old

Booragoon President Pam Howard (here with George) says whenvolunteers are called for George is always among the first withhis hand in the air.


24 Lion

Postage stamps turned to gold

For many years the Lions International StampClub (LISC) has been collecting used stampsfrom clubs and individuals in Australia andoverseas and selling them to raise funds forthe Australian Lions Children’s MobilityFoundation.

Year after year, kilo after kilo the search goes on.

Yet many clubs and individual Lions still don’t know

of this project

At the MD convention in Canberra, a cheque for

a record $4,617 was handed over representing the

results of stamp sales over the previous 12 months.

This brings the total since 2005 to $22,500. The

club handles in excess of 200 kilos of clipped

stamps every year and each year the project grows

a little larger as more and more clubs and

individuals join in.

Stamp Club secretary Ross Paine co-ordinates

the scheme. “We ask people sending stamps to clip

around the stamp leaving no less than an eighth of

an inch and no more than a quarter of an inch of

paper. Not too close and not too much paper. Every

stamp donated is sent to auction and every cent

raised is passed on to ALCMF.

“We ask that the stamps are clipped neatly as

the buyers purchase by the kilo and they will not

bid on a lot if they see too much paper left on the

stamps, and unfortunately we just don’t have the

time to clip any more stamps after we do the ones

we obtain ourselves.”

They will also happily accept old accumulations

and collections and sort these for the auctions. “We

recently sold the donated collection from a

deceased estate and received $800 towards the

project,” said Ross.

LISC has collection points in every state to help

cut down on postage costs. For details of the

nearest point, Lions can contact the stamp club by

email – [email protected] – or by phone on

(07) 5448 1592.

GOT ’EM LICKED Stamp Club secretary Ross Painehands over the club’s latest donation to ALCMFChairman Trevor Hirth.

$22,5000 donated since2005 ... but morestamps are wanted

If any clubs are looking for a last-minuteproject to get involved in, NationalRecycling Week (November 11-17)organised by Planet Ark could be it.

Planet Ark founded National Recycling Weekas a community education campaign in 1996,with the aim of bringing a national focus torecycling and minimising waste.

Since then, recycling items like paper,printer cartridges, steel cans, beveragecontainers and other packaging types hasbecome second nature to Australians.However, as the range of materials that arereadily recyclable broadens, more education isnecessary about what to do with items such aselectronics and batteries, which now haverecycling options.

One option is setting up a function to tie inwith The Big Aussie Swap.

Don’t want it? Swap it! The Big Aussie Swapis a fun and free way to help the environment.

Invite people to bring along quality itemsthey no longer want, exchange each item for atoken, then swap the token for items broughtby others. It’s that easy!

Giving preloved goods another life savesresources and reduces carbon emissions.

Why not be part of the Big Aussie Swap andhave your Lions club organise a swap meet.For more details, visitRecyclingWeek.PlanetArk.org or call theNational Recycling Hotline on 1300 733 712.

It’s an easy one with big benefits.

Good recyclingidea: Swap itinstead!

Just some of the items Planet Ark hasencouraged Australians to recycle.

AROUND THE NATION

Lion-Oct-Nov-24-32 Sect 4 _template Lion 10/3/13 5:40 PM


Six residents of a Queensland care unit have beenenjoying live music every second Monday, thanksto Tewantin-Noosa Lions and a group of localmusicians.

Led by Harii Bandhu, the group has become a regularattraction at Wesley Care Tewantin.

‘Music at Wesley House’ was introduced severalmonths ago when Lion Jackie Nichols and Harii, a wellknow local musician, joined forces to gather a list ofskilled musicians willing to volunteer their time.

The music-filled afternoons are an extension of theclub’s support of Wesley Care, officially opened inJanuary this year and the only purpose-built home onthe Sunshine Coast for younger disabled people livingwith high-care needs.

What began as a donation of fishing gear has nowmorphed into volunteer hours, fundraising, communityengagement and of course, the life-enriching musicsessions.

“What we’re trying to do is to help the residents inother ways by raising some money and just gettingthem general funds to buy things,” explained Tewantin-Noosa Lions President Peter Schofield.

“Our members have also been helping them withassistance in things like bingo for one of the ladies,taking them for walks and inviting them to a Lions BBQ.

Even though the Bundaberg floods of January 26, 2013 long agoreceded, many residents are still suffering from the aftermath of this“flood of all floods”.

That was the reason why Moore Park Lions Club member Scott Allison from

the Bundaberg Camera House held an auction to help those people recover.

Another Moore Park Lions member, PDG Rod (Rocket) Layt, then applied to

the ALF Disaster Fund for more financial help and $20,000 was granted. All

monies were distributed in the Winfield area of Bundaberg.

As there were more people affected by the floods in other rural parts of

Bundaberg, Rod again applied for funding. Due to the great success of the

Winfield project as well as its efficiency and accountability, the Moore Park

Lions Club was granted $50,000.

This time Rod, P.D.G. Charlie Walker and Lion and Councillor Alan Bush found

58 eligible residents in the areas of Sharon, Bucca, Smith’s Crossing and Miara.

And again, vouchers were produced to be redeemed at Bundaberg retail stores

that were also affected by the floods.

In August, about 150 residents gathered at the beautiful Sharon Nature Park

to enjoy a free barbecue sizzle and soft drinks while awaiting the presentation of

the vouchers.

There were TV and radio interviews and many words of thanks for help in a

time of need.

Bundaberg flood recovery continues nearly a year later

Moore Park Lions (from left) Kev, Sue and Loan fire up the barbie for a newround of flood fundraising.

MIGHTY FINE MUSIC: Pictured at a recent music session are (from left) Wesley Care Tewantinresident David with massage therapist Carrie, resident Brett with Tewantin-Noosa Lion RosemaryLuyendyk and dog ‘Benny’, resident Lou, volunteer musician Gabor Josika, resident Suzie and staffmembers Chris Trickett RN and Elias Hagicostas. Photo: The Anderson Outlook

Striking the right chordon Sunshine Coast

Wesley Care Tewantin is funded by DisabilityServices Queensland and run by Wesley MissionBrisbane.

It is the only disabled housing of its kind onthe Sunshine Coast and Wesley Mission’s thirdsupported accommodation community inQueensland.

To enquire about becoming a volunteer atWesley Care Tewantin, phone (07) 5470 2015.

Based on a story by Kim Anderson, The Noosa

Independent (www.thenoosaindependent.com)



Fancy some UK hospitalityvia Operation Friendship?Visit a Lions Club in England

District 105EA England offers Lions fromAustralia and New Zealand theopportunity to mix with Lions fromdistrict 105ea England (known as EastAnglia).

District 105ea has for some years hosted

downunder Lions with great success.

You will stay with local Lions families, attend

a District Convention (in mid March) and see

all the sights in the area.

This offer is for a Lion and his/her partner to

spend 2-3 weeks with all accommodation and

local travel provided by East Anglia Lions.

Cost of travel from Australia to District

105ea and return will be the responsibility of

the visiting Lion couple.

Past Lions have come from Leopold,

Capalaba, Rosewood and Waiuku in New

Zealand.

This is an opportunity to meet and make

new friends with Lions in a different country.

Experience the international nature of our

organisation and discover how Lions Clubs

International is one big family.

Contact initially, I.R.O. Len Russell District

105EA, England. Applications must be received

by mid-December. Email

[email protected].

Constitutional andOrdinary Notices of

Motion for theTamworth Convention

Lions are advised that under Clause 82.2.1 ofthe Multiple District Constitution that all othermotions for the Tamworth 2014 Conventionaccompanied by details of the financialimplications, if any, which would, or may, affectany participating Clubs or members and thecommitment, if any, of Multiple District Fundswhich would, or may, be required in the event ofthe adoption of the Motion, must be provided tothe Executive Officer before 3 March 2014.

Project Notices ofMotion for the

Tamworth ConventionLions are advised that under Clause 82.1.2 of

the Multiple District Constitution that Motions

proposing a Multiple District Project,

accompanied by full organisation details of the

proposed project and the financial

responsibilities, if any, of the participating

clubs, and the required commitment (if any) of

Multiple District funds to start up the proposed

project and to administer and conduct the

project during its first year of operation, must

be provided to the Executive Officer prior to the

1st day of January 2014.

Notices of MotionLions are advised that:

Project Notices of Motion, having been

duly passed at a District Convention, are to be

provided to the Executive Officer prior to 1

January 2014. (For full requirements, refer to

the MD201 Constitution Clauses 82.1 and its

sub-clauses)

Fundraising Activity Notices ofMotion, having been duly passed at a District

Convention, or adopted by Council, are to be


January 2014. (For full requirements, refer to


sub-clauses.)

Other Notices of MotionOther Notices of Motion, having been duly

passed by the Council, a District Convention, a

District Cabinet or a Lions Club, are to be


March 2014. (For full requirements, refer to


sub-clauses.)

Please also note the article from the Multiple

District Legal Officer on page 14 of the last

issue of the Lion magazine referring to Notices

of Motion to the Tamworth Convention.


Lion28

AUDIT COMMITTEE1. Reviewed the results of the Agreed-UponProcedure engagement of the district governorclaim processing performed by Grant Thornton,noting no significant exceptions were found.CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS COMMITTEE1. Denied second vice district governor electioncomplaints filed in District 4-L6 (California, USA),District 322-D (India) and District 323-C (India) anddeclared the following as second vice districtgovernors in their respective districts for the 2013-2014 fiscal year:• Lion John Ruiz - District 4-L6 (California, USA) • Lion S.K. Dhar - District 322-D (India)• Lion Ashok Gupta - District 323-C (India)2. Upheld the second vice district governor electioncomplaint filed in District 301-A2 (Philippines),declared the second vice district governor electionin District 301-A2 for the 2013-2014 fiscal yearnull and void and of no force and effect, declared avacancy in the office of second vice districtgovernor for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and that thesecond vice district governor vacancy shall be filledin accordance with the International and DistrictConstitutions and By-Laws, and declared that thefiling fee less US$100.00 shall be refunded to theComplainant.3. Upheld the second vice district governor electioncomplaint filed in District 301-D1 (Philippines),declared the second vice district governor electionin District 301-D1 for the 2013-2014 fiscal yearnull and void and of no force and effect, declared avacancy in the office of second vice districtgovernor for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and that thesecond vice district governor vacancy shall be filledin accordance with the International and DistrictConstitutions and By-Laws, and declared that thefiling fee less US$100.00 shall be refunded to theComplainant.4. Upheld the second vice district governor electioncomplaint filed in District 308-A2 (Malaysia),declared the second vice district governor electionin District 308-A2 for the 2013-2014 fiscal yearnull and void and of no force and effect, declared avacancy in the office of second vice districtgovernor for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and that thesecond vice district governor vacancy shall be filledin accordance with the International and DistrictConstitutions and By-Laws, and declared that thefiling fee less US$100.00 shall be refunded to theComplainant.5. Revised the District Dispute Resolution Procedureand the Multiple District Dispute ResolutionProcedure in Chapter VII and Chapter XV of theBoard Policy Manual to clarify the timing of theselection of conciliators. CONVENTION COMMITTEE1. Extended the early registration deadline and thedelegation hotel assignment deadline to the secondweek of January of the convention calendar year.

DISTRICT AND CLUB SERVICE COMMITTEE1. Appointed a Coordinating Lion for the Republic ofMontenegro for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. 2. Approved a new provisional zone in the Republicof Moldova.3. Established a policy that requires a certified

guiding Lion be assigned to clubs that are placed instatus quo. 4. Revised policy to allow district governors torequest placement of clubs into status quo up to 90days prior to the district or multiple districtconvention. 5. Revised policy to allow clubs that have a balanceof US$10 or less in dues and fees to be consideredin good standing as long as the other requirementsfor good standing are met. 6. Clarified that the rules of audit for districtgovernors covers the cost of multiple district eventsonly when the event is hosted by the multipledistrict. This change will take effect July 1, 2014. 7. Changed policy to require redistricting proposalsto include a plan for membership growth andleadership development and that proposals will onlybe reviewed during the October board meeting. 8. Revised the number of positions on the GlobalMembership Team (GMT) and the Global LeadershipTeam (GLT) from 40 Area Leaders for each team to41 Area Leaders. FINANCE AND HEADQUARTERS OPERATIONCOMMITTEE1. Agreed the Accounting Department Manager maysign routine documents relative to the investmentson behalf of the Finance and HeadquartersOperation Committee. 2. Approved the 2012-2013 Fourth QuarterForecast, reflecting a surplus.3. Board Policy was modified regarding proposals tothe board that have an impact on the forecast bereviewed with the Finance and HeadquartersOperation Committee. All proposals shall include:• Projected costs for the current fiscal year as wellas the subsequent two years. • Provide a brief description of impact on division’sstrategic initiatives and goals and objectives.4. Approved the final budget for fiscal year 2013-2014, reflecting a surplus.5. Due to timing of board meetings in 2013-2014,approved an exception regarding the Board Policyrequiring the Finance and Headquarters OperationCommittee submit a recommended full yearforecast for review at the January ExecutiveCommittee meeting.6. Approved a minor housekeeping item regardingannual physicals for Administrative Officers andDivision Managers.7. Approved amending the expense claimsubmission deadline from 120 days to 60 dayseffective July 1, 2014 for executive officers,international directors, past international presidents,past international directors and district governors.8. Resolution 5, from the Finance and HeadquartersOperation Committee of June 17 – 21, 2012 wasrescinded in its entirety, and replaced with thefollowing:a. The immediate past international president andfirst vice president may attend all area forums. Thesecond vice president may attend his/her own areaforum. Meals and accommodations will bereimbursed by the association and charged to theofficer’s travel budget.9. Eliminated the need for a signed expense claimfor district governors, authorised speakingassignments and in-district budgets, unless

required by local laws and regulations. This policymay not apply to all budgets so it is recommendedthe officer review the applicable policy beforesubmitting a claim.LCIF1. Revised the SightFirst asset allocation as follows:30% equities and 70% fixed income.2. Approved the development of a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) with Special Olympics tosupport expanded activities as global partners. TheMOU will be for a five-year period and outlinesupport totalling US$7.8 million, with the annualbudget subject to approval each year.3. Renewed the Core 4 funding priority status forthe diabetes prevention and control program for twoyears, until June 30, 2015.4. Approved a block grant in the amount ofUS$200,000 for the renewal of Lions Questcommunity partnerships grants.5. Approved 29 Standard, International Assistanceand Core 4 grants totalling US$1,342,203.6. Approved a major catastrophe grant ofUS$100,000 for Multiple District 321 for areasaffected by the Himalayan floods, and appointedleadership of the committee to lead this effort.7. Approved a SightFirst grant (1634/324-A8) in theamount of US$195,328.8. Placed a moratorium, effectively immediately, onall grant applications from Districts 318-B and 323-C. Instructed both districts to repay funds due toLCIF on or before September 30, 2013 or saidmoratorium shall remain in effect until December31, 2015.9. Amended the LCIF Operations and Policy Manualto reflect changes to the LCIF Steering Committeeto include two members at large, and enhance theroles and responsibilities of committee members tofurther support the LCIF volunteer structure.10. Amended the LCIF Operations and PolicyManual to include the updated SightFirst policiesand criteria.11. Amended the LCIF Operations and PolicyManual with updated banking information for boththe general and Lions Quest banking sections, andadded the LCIF financial analyst as an authorizedperson/signatory to both sections.12. Amended Chapter XVI of the Board PolicyManual to reflect changes to the LCIF SteeringCommittee to include two members at large.13. Amended Chapter XVI of the Board PolicyManual with updated banking information forfoundation accounts and added the LCIF financialanalyst as an authorised person/signatory.LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE1. Added zone chairpersons and regionchairpersons (where applicable) to the GlobalLeadership Team at the district level (GLT-D).MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE1. Determined that, effective immediately, whenchartering a Leo Lions Club, to receive the charterfee credit, ten of the Leo Lions need to be a Leo forat least a year and a day.2. Updated board policy to reflect the reintroductionof entrance fees for family members andmodifications to certification processes, effectiveJuly 1, 2013.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGHAMBURG, GERMANY June 30 - July 3, 2013, 2012



YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Youth of the Year is all about giving our young people a great opportunity as they prepareto launch themselves into the exciting world of adulthood.

It is giving them the experience of what they can expect when they apply for a job, a universityposition, or any direction they choose for their life, where they will be dealing with adults and, to them,the unexpected.

In the 20 years that I have been involved with the quest, I have had many parents approach me tothank Lions for involving their children and to let me know what an invaluable experience it has beenfor them.

Did you know there are still many Lions clubs that do not participate in the Youth of the Year?Imagine the number of students who could enter if another 40% of clubs participated.These are the statistics for 2012-2013:

Contestants Audience Club InvolvementMale Female TOTAL 28459 Entered In MD % entered715 1166 1881 519 1246 41%

It is not too late to involve your club in the quest this year. Most clubs at this stage of the year targetyear 11 students.

Clubs need to appoint a club coordinator, with the support of at least another two members.If the Club Final is before Christmas:• Meet with students.• Ensure entry form is fully completed.• Meet with judges.• Discuss & prepare questions.• Contestant information is forwarded to judges.• Invite parents, teachers and community leaders.• Forward completed Club Winner form to Zone Chairman.When the Club Final is after Christmas• Continue working with local schools.If unsure of the process, please refer to the Club Manual, available on-line at

http://lionsclubs.org.au/activities/youth/yoty/yoty-resources/#manuals.

Some reminders for Club Level Finals:• Three judges are recommended with at least one male or female judge.• Past participants in the Quest also provide a good source for judges.• Do not forget the NAB judge. • All judges may only participate in one final during the YOTY year.• Have the judges provide constructive feedback to all participants. Most participants exit the Quest

at the club level, so it should be a rewarding and constructive experience for those entrants.• In the event that there are just a one or two entrants consider running a joint final with another

club. (It is less traumatic for those who do not proceed to the next level if they exit the Quest withat least one other entrant).

• Provide a prize for club winners along with recognition, such as a certificate of participation forthe others.

Preparation is underway for the MD Final in Tamworth. Two Tamworth Lions are locating judges,venues for interviews as well as hosts to look after the six contestants who make it all the way to theNational Final.

There have been some queries concerning the matter of Child Protection:• Those involved in the Quest at the State and National levels are required to have undertaken a

Working With Children Check. If you are unsure of the requirements for your District then it issuggested that you contact your District Chairperson, as your District should have a policy on thismatter.

• If in any doubt, it is recommended that, you undergo a WWCC. Charges are significantlydiscounted for volunteers and in some jurisdictions, it is free. Having a card, which demonstratesthat you have undergone a WWCC, provides reassurance to parents. (Simply enter “WWCC” into asearch engine and you’ll be taken to the appropriate site, which will detail the process to apply fora WWCC).

Do you want to know more about this exciting Lions project? Call your District Youth of the YearChairman or visit on the web at http://www.lionsclubs.org.au/yoty.

So, get involved! Every young person who enters the Youth of the Year is a winner, but this will nothappen without the support of Lions clubs – especially your Lions club.

Lions Youth of the Year: “You just cannot lose!” – Brian Williams, Chairperson

3. Added Zone Chairpersons to bemembers of the GMT District Coordinatorteam, effective immediately.4. Updated the responsibilities anddescription of the Club MembershipChairperson to utilise the GMT/GLT districtstructure, effective immediately. Thechanges will help clubs make membershipgrowth and member satisfaction a priorityand will provide a unified club team to leadthe club efforts.5. Determined that club branch programchanges will give more autonomy to clubbranches in the area of funds, dues,dissolution, member invitation, and clubattendance requirements.PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE1. Determined that LCI will obtain theservices of a marketing firm to assist withthe centennial.SERVICE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE1. Named the 2012-2013 Leo of the YearAward recipients.2. Amended Board Policy Manual languageregarding the Lions Clubs InternationalEyeglass Recycling Program to clarify thatLions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs)must be in compliance with board policy,not LERC guidelines; effective July 1,2013.3. Amended Board Policy Manual languagerelated to the Excellence in Effort Awardfrom, “Sight Conservation and Work withthe Blind,” to the official program name of,“Sight Preservation, Awareness andAction.”4. Removed reference to Leo new memberfee from Chapter XXIII, Article XI, of theBoard Policy Manual, effective February 1,2014.5. Removed reference to Leo new memberfee in Chapter XXIII of the Board PolicyManual, effective February 1, 2014.6. Revised language in Chapter XXIII of theBoard Policy Manual to indicate thatsponsoring Lions clubs are able to secureitems bearing the Leo club emblem fromLCI Club Supplies.7. Removed language from Chapter XXIII ofthe Board Policy Manual stating that LionsClubs International shall furnish Leo clubmember identification cards through thesponsoring Lions club, effective February1, 2014. 8. Removed language from Chapter XXIII ofthe Board Policy Manual referring tocontents of Leo new member kits andcost, effective February 1, 2014. 9. Removed reference to actual shippingcharges for Leo new member kits fromChapter XXIII of the Board Policy Manual,effective February 1, 2014.

For more information on any of the aboveresolutions, please refer to the LCI Website at www.lionsclubs.org or contact theInternational Office at 630-571-5466.


30Lion

LEOS ROAR

Congratulations to the Samford Leo Club in Lions District201Q3 on their inspirational service to their communityduring their Charter Year.

I was privileged to attend their first changeover on 13 July andpresent them with Lions Young Leaders in Service Awards for acombined total of over 1300 service hours to make our world abetter place as an essential part of Lions Clubs International.

Special congratulations to the club's inspirational Leo ClubAdvisor, Lion Alice Cunningham, on receiving a Melvin JonesFellowship and James McLardie Award for her ongoing service andher guidance and mentoring of our wonderful Samford Leos.

The club’s efforts at the Samford Show and their ongoingassistance to the Lions Club of Samford Inc are truly Inspirational.

Congratulations also to Q3 Aspley Leo Club , which received itsCharter at a presentation on 31 August, and thank you to PDG DesSawyer for the great work he has done to form this new Leo club.

Special congratulations also to Leos Alex Bell and Amy Bryanfrom T1 Burnie Leo Club on receiving Leo of Honour Awards fortheir service to their community and dedication to Leos.

In the 2013/14 Lions Year, our International President BarryPalmer has advised that Leos will be his main youth project duringhis term in office and reminds us to:

“Let them be young and experience volunteering in their ownterms. Their Leo experience will go a long way in determiningwhether at some point in the future they will follow their dreamsand continue their volunteer experience as Lions.

“Their service is unique and inspiring. Embrace it, and continueaccepting them as members of the Lions Family.”

Through the ongoing dedication and commitment of the MD201Leo Committee and the support of the Council of Governors, wenow have 125 Leo Clubs in Australia, providing young peoplebetween 12-30 with the chance to gain essential life skills ofleadership, experience and opportunity.

We should also continue the leadership development andgrowth of Leos through initiatives such as the MD201 Leo AdvisoryPanel and Leo Zones, as well as their personal developmentthrough our wonderful International and MD201 Leo of the YearQuest!

I encourage all Lions, Lionesses and Leos in MD201 to supportour inspirational Leos at the 2014 Leo of the Year Quest NationalFinal in Tamworth!

For our organisation to grow, we must see Leos as the presentand future of our great Lions organisation, and encourage themwhen the time is right to become a Lion through the Leo to LionProgram.

So if your club is considering sponsoring a Leo club, stopconsidering – do It!

Full details on the Leo Club Program are available on theMD201 Leo Website at www.lionsclubs.org.au/leos

Say G’Day to a Leo Today – you won’t be disappointed!Martin Peebles

MD201 Leo & Youth Outreach Committee Chairman

Going to MD201Convention in 2014?Lions won’t be the only ones enjoying the Tamworth

Hospitality. Book your accommodation early to avoiddisappointment!

Progress towards next year’s ANZI Forum in Adelaide is well underway with “earlybird” registrations already coming through.

The venue for the forum is the Adelaide Hilton Hotel within Victoria Square – and the datesare the 29th, 30th and 31st of August.

Planning committee chairman PDG Bob Dewell said much has been achieved sinceDecember last year when four Lions (himself, Chair and Vice Chair of the PlanningCommittee Jim Hewitson, Chair Don Pritchard and Vice Chair of the Host Committee GrahamSmithers) were appointed to conduct the initial planning for what is to be the 2nd ANZIForum to be held in Australia.

“Since then the bulk of what has had to be done has been in the overall planning and theactivity needed in our major promotions, those in Canberra last May, in Bali and in Tamworthat the 2014 National Lions Convention, with particular attention towards the seminars andworkshops,” he said.

Bob reports that so far interest is very high.“Early bird” registrations have exceeded our expectations and we are now at the stage of

utilising our networking to spread the message far and wide, not only on the website andsocial media but also via regular newsletters.”

PDG Lyn Shoemark is in charge of these.The 2014 ANZI Pacific Forum promises first class entertainment, great forums and

presenters, a partners tour, pre and post forum tours and much, much more.There will be opportunities for all members of our Lions family to meet and chat with the

International President and the Immediate Past President as well as many other internationaldignitaries.

For all the details, visit http://lionsclubs.org.au/anziforum.

2014 ANZI Pacific Forumwell on track


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october - november 2013 lions clubs international ......2013/10/11 · october - november 2013...

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