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Lion FEB-APRIL 2018_template Lion 8/02/2018 7:11 am Page 1
LION Lions Clubs International
Australia / Papua New
Guinea edition, $1
- Feb-April 2018
Registered by Australia Post Publication No. pp100002889
BEAR it
Grin &
THE LIONS PROGRAM HELPING
YOUTH COPE WITH TRAUMA
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‘We serve’
LION
Lion – Australia and PNG
“To create and foster a spirit of understanding
among all people for humanitarian needs by
providing voluntary services through
community involvement and international
cooperation” Feb - April 2018 Volume 135 No. 1
Lion - Australia and Papua New Guinea edition is
published bi-monthly for the Multiple District 201 Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropy
LION
Council of Lions Clubs International and circulated to
all members.
Published by MD201 Council of Governors and printed by Lions Clubs International
PMP Print, 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton Victoria 3168. Australia / Papua New
Guinea edition, $1
- Feb-April 2018
An official publication of Lions Clubs International, the Lion
magazine is published by authority of Board of Directors in COVER: Sometimes a furry
21 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, French,
Swedish, Italian, German, Finnish, Korean, Portuguese, teddy is all it takes to help a
Dutch, Danish, Chinese, Norwegian, Icelandic, Turkish, child cope better during
Greek, Hindi, Polish, Indonesian and Thai.
times of stress. That’s the
Editor: Tony Fawcett, Fawcett Media
20 Millett Road Gisborne South VIC 3437 belief behind Lions project
Phone: (03) 9744 1368 Operation Teddy. Once a
Email: tony.fawcett@bigpond.com
Victoria-only project, it’s
Our cover
Registered by Australia Post Publication No. pp100002889
Advertising Enquiries: Lions National Office
31-33 Denison St, Newcastle West, NSW 2302 now inviting Lions right
Phone: (02) 4940-8033 around Australia to discover
Lions Australia website: www.lionsclubs.org.au
Deadlines: 1st day of month before cover date.
the benefits of Teddy Power.
AR it
MD201 Council of Governors: C1 Megan Butler, C2 Judy
n & BE
GriTHE LIONS PROGRAM HELPING
The story is on page 6.
YOUTH COPE WITH TRAUMA
Glastonbury, N1 Michael (John) Davis, N2 Chris Howard, Cover photo: Tony Fawcett
N3 Glenn Byrnes, N4 Annemarie Jones OAM, Page 6 - Teddies take on Australia
N5 Ron Gattone, Q1 Ann Reed, Q2 Robert (Bob) Roberson,
Q3 Engelbert Krampl, Q4 Rod Somerville, T1 Hester van
Niekerk, V1-4 Malcolm Qualtrough, V2 Trevor Hirth, V3
Andrew McMahon, V5 Pat Mills, V6 Norm Walkington, W1
Sue Lowe, W2 Grant Hewett.
Council Chairman: Malcolm Peters
Distribution of Magazine: Clubs and Members
Additions to distribution list, deletions, changes of address
and of club will be made only when advised through the
Club Membership and Activities report. Non-Lions, libraries
and other organisations who wish to advise changes should
contact Lions National Office, Locked Bag 2000
NEWCASTLE NSW 2300, Tel: 02 4940 8033 email:
info@lions.org.au
USA Editor-In-Chief - Sanjeev Ahuja
Managing Editor - Christopher Brunch, Lions Clubs
International 300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-
8842 USA
Executive Officers: President Naresh Aggarwal, Delhi,
India; Immediate Past President Chancellor Robert E. “Bob”
Corlew, Milton, Tennessee, United States; First Vice
President Gudrun Yngvadottir, Gardabaer, Iceland; Second
Vice President Jung-Yul Choi, Busan City, Korea; Third Vice
President Judge Haynes H. Townsend, Dalton, Georgia, Page 9 - Fiery start to year Page 31 - Youth winners at play
United States.
Directors First year: Doo-Hoon Ahn, Seoul, South Korea;
Sandro Castellana, Padova, Italy; Hastings E. Chiti, Lusaka,
Zambia; William Galligani, Nimes, France; Thomas Gordon,
CONTENTS
Ontario, Canada; Nicolás Jara Orellana, Quito, Ecuador;
Ardie Klemish, Iowa, United States; Alice Chitning Lau, 4 What happens in Vegas 16 LCIF: Sensory courtyard awakens
Guangzhou ,China; Connie Lecleir-Meyer, Wisconsin, United
States; Virinder Kumar Luthra, Patna, Bihar, India; Dr. Datuk 6 Teddies take on Australia 19 It’s all there on the wall
K. Nagaratnam, Malacca, Malaysia; Don Noland, Missouri,
United States; Regina Risken, Giessen, Germany; Yoshio 8 National Convention, Townsville 21 Is this the biggest Lions sizzle y et?
Satoh, Chikuma City, Japan; Patricia Vannett, North Dakota,
United States; Gwen White, North Carolina, United States; 12 Fire, glass & a pile of v aluables 22 Lions out & about
Nicolas Xinopoulos, Indiana, United States.
Directors Second Year: Bruce Beck, Minnesota, United 13 This is no itsy-bitsy spider 26 Committee vacancies/appointments
States; Tony Benbow, Vermont South, Australia; K.
Dhanabalan, Erode, India; Luiz Geraldo Matheus Figueira,
14 Council Chairman’s report 29 Executive summary
Brasílía, Brazil; Markus Flaaming, Espoo, Finland; Elisabeth
Haderer, Overeen, The Netherlands; Magnet Lin, Taipei,
Taiwan; Sam H. Lindsey Jr., Texas, United States; N. Alan
Lundgren, Arizona, United States; Joyce Middleton, Deadlines
Massachusetts, United States; Nicolin Carol Moore, Arima, Contributions for the MAY - JULY 2018 issue should be submitted by April 1 to
Trinidad and Tobago; Yasuhisa Nakamura, Saitama, Japan;
Aruna Abhay Oswal, Gujrat, India; Vijay Kumar Raju The Editor, Lion magazine, Tony Fawcett, Fawcett Media,
Vegesna, Visakhapatnam, India; Elien van Dille, Ronse, 20 Millett Rd, Gisborne South, Victoria 3437 or emailed to
Belgium; Jennifer Ware, Michigan, United States; Jaepung magazine@lions.org.au.
Yoo, Cheongju, Korea.
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By Naresh
Aggarwal,
What
Lions Clubs
International happens
President
in
INNOVATION:
WE’RE THE KING OF
VEGAS
It’s Tinseltown for high rollers and thrillseek ers
THE JUNGLE yet as Lions visiting the 101st annual
Not bound by the chains of the past, emboldened by its
International Convention will discover, Las Vegas
aura of freedom, America a century ago was an incubator has far more going for it
of innovation. There was jazz. The Broadway musical. And,
a social movement, Lions Clubs, the first group of any Las Vegas is a city that celebrates its stereotypes. Mobile billboards
stature to dedicate itself to community service. advertising yard-long cocktails and pool parties roam up and down
As Lions grew in numbers and influence, we were the streets. Casinos shaped like castles, pyramids and Roman
wonderfully open to new ideas, new ways of doing things. palaces – each more unapologetically gaudy than the next – stretch
Lions didn’t always conceive of an intriguing original idea, but as far as the eye can see.
we quickly adopted it and helped popularise it: service dogs for Then there are the slot machines, which perpetually ping from all over to
the blind, eye banks and the white cane. To get where we remind that no matter where you are in Vegas, a sinfully good time is only
wanted to go, to serve efficiently and broadly, Lions did not a whisper away.
ever hesitate to do things differently and creatively. But look closer and you’ll find that there’s much more to this desert
The spirit of innovation continues to be a hallmark of clubs, resort town. While Vegas may be best known as the Entertainment Capital
districts and Lions Clubs International. Whether it’s a homeless of the World, 100 years ago, Las Vegas, which means “The Meadows” in
shelter that provides vocational training for children in the Spanish, was not much more than a dusty, railroad pit-stop. Remnants of
Philippines, raising awareness of the need to recycle through a the city’s wild west roots can be found today in the wild burros and horses
Trash Fashion Show in New Zealand or, ingeniously, making that roam the hillsides of Summerlin and in the big-horned sheep that can
lawn decorations such as pumpkins and snowmen out of often be found grazing in the neighbourhood parks near Lake Mead.
beetle-killed trees to raise money in California, Lions refuse to Several ghost towns exist within driving distance from Vegas, including
simply replicate worn-out service methods but instead Clark County’s oldest bar, the 105-year-old Pioneer Saloon.
invigorate communities with fun, clever and inspiring events Las Vegas, which turned 112 this year, boasts a flashy yet authentic
and activities that help those in need. Chinatown, a promising arts district and a hip downtown bar scene. There
This being the digital age, our innovation extends to social are national parks a half-day’s drive away, such as Zion and the Grand
media and smartphones. MyLion, a world-class mobile app, is Canyon, and Las Vegas is a launching point for nature-loving tourists to
dramatically changing the way we serve and communicate. It’s explore the American Southwest.
a brave new world indeed, and Lions are courageously blazing Here is the largest reservoir in the United States, Lake Mead, cratered in
new digital trails. The world is speeding up, spinning faster and the middle of the Mojave Desert; the immense Hoover Dam just a 90-
increasingly becoming a true global village. MyLion puts us in minute paddlewheeler cruise away; and for hip art lovers, Seven Magic
the heart of the town square, able to be a linchpin of social Mountains, a Flintstone-esque display consisting of seven towers of
improvement, thanks to our communication prowess. colourful, fluorescent-painted boulders stacked atop one another.
All of this leads me to ask: how is your club doing? If it Apart from the rugged surrounds and the excitement of the city,
works for you, keep doing it. If you know you can do better, be conventioneers will have the chance to join Lions from more than 120
brave and be innovative. After all, being daring is part of our countries, marching side-by-side down the streets of the host city during
Lion DNA. It’s a cliche, but we are the king of the jungle, the Parade of Nations. There will be seminars where you can vote on the
distinguished by our courage to stride fearlessly forward. I wish association’s future and three action-packed plenary sessions.
you the best this year in your service and know, based on a
century of success, that as Lions you will reach your goals. Convention date: June 29 – July 3, 2018
Turn to page 28 for Convention Delegate form, voting
conditions and (on page 29) Club Delegate Entitlement Table
Lion
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Sam Morris / Las Vegas News Bureau
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Teddies take on Australia
After 30 years as a one-state-only Lions project, these
furry critters are starting to bring happiness to tr aumatised
young people nation-wide
One of Victorian Lions’ most successful The co-ordinator of the project since it began, investigating sexual offences and child abuse: “It
community programs has gone national. Shane Bruce, said the move to a national venture is wonderful that we have the bears to give a
After 30 successful years, Operation Teddy had been prompted mainly by interstate clubs human touch between us and the child.”
Bear, which annually distributes more than 2000 hearing about it and wanting to get involved. Typically police use the bears to reassure
bears to organisations for gifting to young Shane, who first took on the project when a young children they are there to protect them and
Australians suffering traumatic circumstances, is Leo, confirms that the generally untold stories need not be feared.
now supplying all states. behind the young recipients of the bears are often In one of the latest handovers of Teddies,
Whether a child whose family has been made harrowing but that the feedback from Victoria’s Lions Club of Sunbury Inc. donated a
homeless by flooding or fire, a young person organisations that get to distribute the bears is batch to the local Ambulance Victoria depot.
involved in a road accident, or even youth fitting reward. “We’re just so appreciative of them,” said
vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual Today in Victoria it’s common to see a Lions paramedic Emily Tait. “Being able to cuddle one
assault, Operation Teddy Bear offers a means to Teddy or two sitting on the back seat of a police of these bears can make all the difference to a
help in times of crisis. highway patrol car or in a paramedic ambulance, young person when they are stressed.”
In Victoria, individual clubs traditionally buy just waiting to be handed over to a traumatised Operation Teddy Bear is an arm of Victoria’s
bears which in turn are donated on to child. Lions Crime Watch Speak Up Inc. For more
organisations such as Victoria Police and their Bears have been given to anxious children details, visit www.lionscrimewatch.org.
Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation whose homes have been burglarised, toddlers The cost of bears to clubs is $10.00 each or
Team (SOCIT), the Coroner’s Court, the Bail about to undergo serious operations and young $180 for a box of 18 (plus freight).
Justice Association, State Emergency Service people whose lives have been dramatically Clubs should contact Lion Shane Bruce
units, police stations, hospitals and ambulance affected by violence, trauma and bad experiences (03 8742 7096, operationbear@optusnet.com.au)
and air ambulance services. that come before the courts. for advice on freight when placing an order.
Last year almost 3000 bears were delivered. Said one Senior Constable involved in – Story & pictures Tony Fawcett
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TOWNSVILLE IS
CALLING YOU TO NORTH
QUEENSLAND IN MAY
The 2018 National Convention offers a unique experience to
savour the wonders of North Queensland. The weather is
welcoming at that time of year and there is so much to see and
do. Now is the time to return to Townsville (the last MD
Convention was in 1987), or to make this your first visit to
Townsville.
We are a unique city with so much to offer and have a rich heritage.
We have the largest army base in Australia and an RAAF base – you
might even be lucky to see some of Australia’s best jet planes and
helicopters flying around our city (that’s for the military buffs). We have
great art galleries and restaurants that equal some of Australia’s finest.
Don’t forget to reserve a day to visit Magnetic Island, and of course
there is our Reef HQ Aquarium and the NQ Tropical Museum just a
short walk from the Convention Centre.
Plus, you can’t go past our beautiful weather and relaxed lifestyle.
There are lots of weekend markets (including our Cotters market –
Sunday morning in the city centre.)
MD201 66th NATIONAL CONVENTION – Friday 4th
May to Monday 7th May 2018 – So come along
and visit us.
BEAR-BORNE: Paramedics Lucy Mackinder (left) and Emily Tait of The Gala Ball will be held on the Saturday evening with the theme
Ambulance Victoria’s Sunbury depot jump for joy at being presented “NQ Tropical”. It will be a night to remember. Dress code on the
with Teddies by the Lions Club of Sunbur y Inc. The pair, along with website.
their colleague Chris (all in unifor m), are joined (below) by local We are having a tree-planting morning on Thursday 3rd May so – for
Lions Stef Wildekamp, Helena Thompson and Jan and Jim Har vey at the early arrivals – come along and join in our “Environmental project”.
the handover. Details on how to register are on the registration form. The draft
program is on the website.
Please book early to ensure you get the accommodation of your
choice
The Convention website provides links to assist conventioneers with
travel and accommodation options. All travel, accommodation and
local tours can be arranged through Escape Travel and Townsville
Enterprise (Escape Travel Townsville 07 47225000 or
events@escapetravel.com.au).
Watch our regular newsletter, which will be forwarded to District
Cabinet Secretaries for distribution to all clubs, for updates.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Townsville at the Convention
where we can all be “TOGETHER IN THE TROPICS”. To celebrate the
start of A NEW CENTURY OF SERVICE.
PDG Di Pyers
Chairman
Convention Organising Committee
17 SENSATIONAL THINGS TO DO IN
TOWNSVILLE – over the page
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Plan your National Convention visit north
17 sensational things to do
ALL FOR LESS THAN $25
By Ariana Potamianakis
While there will be Lions action aplenty during spectacular 360-degree views of the
our National Convention in Townsville (May 4 city.
to May 7 2018), there’s lots to see and do in Would you rather bypass the whole
those non-convention moments. exercise thing? Drive your car to the
Whether you’re after an adventure, something lookout to gawk at the scenery, which
tasty, or you just want to take advantage of stretches all the way out to Magnetic
Townsville’s plentiful sunshine, you don’t need a Island.
heavy cash flow here to have some fun! COST: Zilch.
From crystal creeks and drive-in movies to
3. RIVERWAY LAGOONS
ghost tours, there are many things to do in
Whether you’re the next Libby Trickett
Townsville for under $25.
or your spirit animal is the dugong,
1. JEZZINE BARRACKS when the temperature is a risin’ there’s
You don’t need to be a military buff to enjoy a no better place to be than the Riverway
day here (although if you are, you’ll definitely lagoons.
want to hit up the Army Museum. Nestled under shady trees with the
As part of a $40 million facelift, the parklands Ross River as your backdrop, the
has been decked out with a scenic coastal lagoons – which cover an area in size of
boardwalk that winds it way from The Strand to more than three Olympic swimming
Rowes Bay, an ethno-botanical trail, and over pools – cater to lap enthusiasts (hit the
30 specially commissioned art installations upper lagoon) or aqua relaxation (the
giving a nod to both the Aboriginal heritage and lower lagoon is your spot, complete with
the role the site played for the Australian Army. sandy banks and shaded timber decks
COST: Free! Though donations at the museum are for lounging). handmade jewellery to Belgium crepes.
appreciated, so bring a gold coin. When you’ve had enough water time, you can COST: Free entry = more spending money.
stroll the boardwalk and public art trail, grab a 5. WALLAMAN FALLS
2. CASTLE HILL
bite to eat at C Bar cafe, take a squiz in Pinnacles Road trip two hours north-west of Townsville to
Sadly, you won’t actually find a castle atop
Gallery, or even catch a free flick on movie come face-to-face with Australia’s highest
Castle Hill but you will be rewarded with
nights. permanent single drop waterfall.
COST: Entry to the lagoon and parklands is
free! Same goes for the gallery and many of their
events and exhibitions.
4. TOWNSVILLE MARKETS
No weekend is complete without a trip to the
markets.
On Saturday mornings, the North Shore
Markets have got you sorted with an abundance
of fresh fruit and veg. If you want to treat yo’ self
to something delicious or locally made, Cotters
Markets and Willows Rotary Markets on Sundays
have got everything from terrariums and
The Lion
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in TOWNSVILLE
LOTS TO EXPERIENCE: Townsville City at night
Photo Megan McKinnon
Hidden in the rainforest-lined gullies of plant and one plant only … palm trees! Start by doing the loop around the Savannah
Girringin National Park, Wallaman Falls is a sight This tropical haven was designed to suit a Zone and lagoon – stopping in to check out the
you sure don’t see every day. From the main variety of different palms originating from the dry cacti and succulent garden in the Xerophytic Zone
lookout, watch as Stony Creek plunges 268m in a tropics through to the wet tropical lowlands; it’s – before exploring the rainforest section (there’s
clear single-drop, often through a rainbow-fringed kind of like a recreated rainforest in the middle of even a map to help you identify the different
cloud of mist. #mothernaturerules the ‘burbs. palms you’ll see along the way).
There are two walks you can take while there Don’t forget to bring insect repellent – this is
– the Banggurru and Djyinda tracks – but highly the tropics after all!
recommended is the latter, which takes you from COST: Free entry means you can save your
the lookout right down to the base of the falls on pennies for a cuppa and some home-made cake
a 3.2km round-trip. Just ensure you take plenty at the Tumbetin Tea Rooms at the park lodge.
of water and wear sturdy shoes (because
thongs/pluggers/flip flops will not suffice).
COST: Only the fuel to get you there.
6. TOWNSVILLE PALMETUM
The Strand ain’t the only palm-studded star in
Townsville – say hello to the Palmetum Park, a
whole 17ha botanic garden dedicated to one
February - April 2018
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9. THE STRAND You can’t get fresher than beer that’s brewed
It wouldn’t be a trip to Townsville if you didn’t literally metres away from you, and while it’s
make good use of The Strand, and the best way tempting to order a pint of each to taste the lot –
to take in this stunning foreshore is to get especially with that north Queensland heat –
strolling. you’re probably (read: much) better off grabbing
Start at the marina and work your way up the one of their tasting paddles where you can try
esplanade, stopping in to laze and graze along seven of their home-grown beers plus a seasonal
the parklands, making your inner-child squeal option.
with delight under the dumping bucket at the COST: With paddles at $12 a pop, you’ve got
water park, before reaching the patrolled beach some cash spare for a bowl of warm nuts.
and rock pools for some more leisurely water-
12. MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND
time.
Have you ever wanted to fire a cannon? Well,
And the cherry on top to a perfect Strand day?
now you can at this museum. Every day at 11am
and 2:30pm it holds demonstrations where you
7. FROSTY MANGO can learn how to load and fire a six-pounder
Whether you’re travelling between Townsville cannon at their star attraction, the HMS Pandora.
and Tropical North Queensland or you’re just The exhibition is a permanent fixture of the
salivating for a taste of their fresh, home-made Great Gallery, where visitors can explore the re-
creamy goodness, it’s a fact that the Frosty created bow of the ship and floor plan of the
Mango is – or soon will be – everyone’s favourite original layout, learning more about its history
pitstop. and unfortunate demise (after being sent from
On top of finding a BFG mango here (give the England to catch the infamous Bounty mutineers,
fella a cuddle while you’re there), you’ll be stoked the ship sank off the coast of Cape York in 1791
to find ice-cream and sorbet flavours made from when it struck the Great Barrier Reef).
almost every fruit you could think of: black sapote If the sailing life doesn’t intrigue, there are
(also known as chocolate pudding fruit ), guava, plenty of other exhibitions on display to check
rockmelon, watermelon, pineapple, soursop, and out, ranging from the reef and enchanted
A sweet serving from Juliette’s Gelateria.
of course mango, just to name a few! rainforests to creepy crawlies and giant reptiles
COST: If you can hold back on the number of
COST: One scoop for $4, two scoops for $7, three that ruled our ancient lands.
gelato scoops, you might be able to squeeze in a
for $9.50, and a five-flavour boat for $17. COST: Adult admission is $15 for visitors, $7.50
light lunch at one of the many cafes along the
for Townsville and Burdekin residents, and FREE
8. BALGAL BEACH promenade.
for Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook residents.
10. PALUMA RANGE NATIONAL PARK
13. THE COURTYARD
Had enough of the sand and salty seas? Day
Because this should not be kept on the down-
trip to the misty mountain village of Paluma, 1.5
low any longer, let us introduce Taco Tuesdays at
hours north of Townsville, where freshwater
The Courtyard in City Lane, where Mexican
creeks and Wet Tropics Heritage-listed rainforest
pulled-pork beauties are being dished out at a
walks await.
measly two freakin’ dollars! AND you get to eat
Start with the walking tracks around Paluma
them under the watchful eye of resident gnomes
first, that way you can work up a bit of a sweat
in their retro beer garden.
before cooling down at the crystal creeks on your
COST: With tacos cheaper than chips, you can go
way back down the range.
to town on these bad boys and still have some
COST: Fuel plus any coffee and cake stops along
cash left over to try their Yankee Sundae (if
the way.
you’ve left enough room).
11.TOWNSVILLE BREWERY
14. DRIVE-IN MOVIES
If your idea of the perfect weekend involves Okay, so the clock atop the tower of this
You’ve probably got the gist by now that the
catching your own dinner, waking up to the heritage landmark post-office-turned-brewery
Townsville region has a knack for doing things
soothing sounds of the ocean lapping on the doesn’t actually work, but hey, it’s the beer part
old-school. Well, that also applies to their movie-
shore, and long walks on the beach, then a that really counts.
viewing habits, with the Tors Drive-In Cinema in
camping adventure at one of Townsville’s Charters Towers one of the oldest and longest-
northern beaches is right up your alley. running drive-in theatres in Queensland (they’ve
You can pitch up at Saunders, Balgal and been continually open since 1966!).
Toomulla beaches for free, however there is a It’s definitely worth the 1.5hr drive to catch the
maximum stay of 48 hours. latest blockbuster or classic films, especially
For more camping information check out the since their prices have stood the test of time too
Townsville City Council website. (they are ridiculously cheap).
*While it’s not recommended to go swimming, COST: Giving those city cinemas a run for their
there is a patrolled stinger enclosure at Balgal money, admission to Tors is just $8.50 for adults
Beach during November to May. and $6 for children/students/pensioners. Expect
COST: No fees, yippee! the same reasonable prices for snacks and hot
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foods too, with everything from burgers, homemade choc tops, lolly
bags and ham and cheese toasties costing you between $2 to $7.
15. HERVEYS RANGE HERITAGE TEA ROOMS
If you’ve got a penchant for good tea and lazy mornings, then the
Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms are about to become your
weekend regular.
This beautiful heritage-listed property – a scenic 40-minute drive
up the winding range – is really something special, and not just
because it has a fairy garden: it’s the home of one of the few slab-
sided inns left standing in Australia, the oldest building of its type in
North Queensland. #history101
Order a pot with a round of scones and stuff your faces under the
shady trees in the front garden or inside the original hand-adzed
hardwood building, constructed in the 1800s. Spend some more time
exploring the grounds and herb garden (keep some coins handy to
make a wish at the wishing well), play a game of boules or chess, or
take to the outback walking trail at the back of the property.
COST: It won’t be hard to fill up your tummies when all menu options
are under 20 bucks.
16. THRILLER NIGHTS – CHARTERS TOWERS
Swap your scary movie for the real deal on a ghostly night walk
through Charters
Towers.
From the resident
ghosts who continue to
haunt their places of
work to bloodstained
remnants marking the
spot of cold-blooded
shootings, learn about
the town’s gruesome
and spooky past on a
90-minute tour through
the old city centre.
COST: Adult tickets are $15.
17. COFFEE TIME
If you’re passing through the CBD and notice the bright-coloured
graffiti walls down Denham Lane, check them out, because you’ll find
one of the coolest hole-in-the-wall coffee spots in town.
After opening in 2014 at the rear of the heritage-listed Agora
House, the Hoi Polloi Espresso Bar quickly became the locals’
favourite with their quality coffee and an edgy, artsy vibe that’s unlike
any other cafe in Townsville.
Get your Insta-snapping fingers ready when you hit them up
between 7.15am – 11.30am from Monday to Friday and 8am – 1pm
on weekends.
COST: Unless you’re a caffeine addict, you’ve got nothing to worry
about.
Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
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LIONS AT WORK
Fire, glass
&
a pile of
valuables
These Lions’ new
year brought a
few early
challenges
The annual New Years Day
foreshore clean-up by Victoria’s FIRE PATROL: Torquay Lions Bob Tyler (left) and Russell Hannan dr ag sand across a fire
left burning on the beach after New Year Eve celebrations on Torquay’s foreshore,
Torquay Lions proved more than a while (inset) Sergeant Frank Cernjavic of Torquay police accepts various items
giant community service. found by Lion Bob Tyler during the clean-up.
Apart from putting out a beach
fire and picking up glass and empty
with bankcards, a driver’s
bottles following the New Year festivities and fireworks at the popular
licence, car keys, a
beach, the Lions also unearthed numerous valuable items, such as a wallet
mobile phone and a
pair of glasses
on the grass
slopes and in
the sand.
All were
handed over to
Torquay police.
Vice President
Allen Osman said that
apart from the glass, the
beach and foreshore were
relatively clean compared with
previous years.
One of his biggest concerns was the fire on the beach, particularly
considering hot weather conditions in the area.
Torquay Lions, supported by the Great Ocean Road Coast
SMILING ACHIEVERS: This team of Torquay
Lions is happy with a job well done. Committee, have been undertaking the annual clean-up for more
than 11 years. Pictures: Courtesy Surfcoast Times
1st female Vice President
Gudrun meets the Waratahs
There was a big turnout when the Lions Club of
Sydney Waratah hosted the visiting first female
International Vice President, Gudrun Yngvadottir, to a
Chinese banquet dinner in Sydney.
There with her husband, PID Dr Jon Bjarni
Thorsteinsson, she was impressed to hear of the
$300,000 the club has fundraised since charter in 2006.
Other guests included PID Barry and Anne Palmer, CC
Malcolm and Lion Narelle Peters, Shanti Babu and N5 DG
Ron Gattone.
The Lion
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This is no itsy-bitsy spider
When the weather turns warm, Bathurst Macquarie
Lions turn their attention to informing us all about one of
the deadliest Australians
The mere mention of the name funnel-web Again spearheading the latest spider
spider strikes fear into the hearts of many. education campaign are Lions Rex and
It’s understandable considering this Australian Heather Gilroy, who carry out spider
native spider’s reputation as one of the world’s research at the their Katoomba home. DANGEROUS: A female Blue Mountains funnel
most deadly. This year the club and the Gilroys have been web (photo M. Gray/Australian Museum). For more
Yet as with all dangers, a little knowledge can particularly concerned at the gradual increase of information on funnel webs, visit
go a long way to keeping people safe. Blue Mountains funnel webs, found in areas australianmuseum.net.au/funnel-web-spiders-group.
That’s the reasoning behind the Bathurst around Bathurst and other NSW central west
Macquarie club’s continuing involvement with a communities where they breed in rocky areas.
public awareness campaign about the funnel web. “This is partly due to people removing illegal The booklet is $10 (send a cheque or money
Throughout summer, the club has again been bush rock as well as firewood from Blue order to The Secretary, Lions Club of Bathurst
waging war on the spider with a 24-hour-a-day Mountains locations,” says Rex Gilroy. “Females Macquarie Inc., PO Box 372, Bathurst NSW).
“Dangerous Spiders Hotline” (02 47 823441, often lay their eggs in rock crevices and in hollow Proceeds go to the club’s Kids in Need project
randhgilroy1044@gmail.com). rotting logs.” that assists Australian children with special
The hotline, coinciding with the time the Dangerous Spiders contains photos of every needs.
spider is most active, is being run in tandem dangerous and not-so-dangerous spider species It’s estimated more than 300 people, many
with the club’s continuing sales of the likely to be found around the home and includes young, owe their lives to the Dangerous Spiders
lifesaving, full-colour booklet Dangerous details on habits and bite effects, along with a project and the club’s publicity drives over recent
Spiders. first-aid guide on treating snake bite victims. years.
February - April 2018
13Lion FEB-APRIL 2018_template Lion 8/02/2018 7:12 am Page 14
FROM THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT
From Council Chairman Malcolm
Greetings Convention each year. Membership Drive”. At beginning of this period
to all Narelle and were also invited to the attend the we have our National Lions Awareness Day. What
members JUA Insurance Brokers Christmas function. The another excellent opportunity for us to show off
of our following day the MD Insurance Committee met. our great organisation, and the projects we are
Lions It has also been a busy schedule in January involved with, such as Children’s Mobility,
Family with the Council of Governors Meeting, and the Children’s Cancer Research and Hearing Dogs to
throughout Australia. As I write this it is now training of the District Governors Elect, Cabinet name a few. Then we have our wonderful
January and we have entered the second half Secretaries and Partners of The District Governors international projects, with a diabetes campaign
of our Lions year. Elect. The organisation of the training and the being launched in Las Vegas at the International
Narelle and I hope that you all have enjoyed Council of Governors Meeting requires significant Convention. We also have four other areas of
the Christmas and New Year celebrations with effort and management and I express my thanks service under our international banner:
your families and friends. It is also a period of to all involved in pulling this event together. Environment, Hunger, Children’s Cancer and
reflection, to remember just how fortunate we are Overall, the Council Meeting was very productive, Vision. There is plenty of promotional material
to be Australians and the desperate plight of with the Long-Range Development Committee available to assist us in the promotion of our
many in this world. putting some finishing touches to their Lions clubs.
However, with the festive season over, it is time Advisory Board (LAB) recommendation to Council, Just recently LCIF approved grants for two
to revisit our goals and strategies we set at the for the Notice of Motion being put to the Multiple Districts in our Multiple District. A grant of
start of this Lions year, and rethink them to District Convention in Townsville in May. $100,000 was approved for N2 District to equip a
ensure we can continue to serve our communities In February along with EO Rob, Narelle and I carers facility in Bega, and a grant of $18,750
throughout the remainder of this year. will travel to Townsville for a Convention was approved for mobile dialysis equipment in N3
In December, I travelled to Melbourne for the Committee meeting and final inspection of the District. A great outcome for some very hard work
Youth and Community Projects Committee facilities. At this time our program is rapidly filling by Lions in those Districts! Other great news
Meeting. Whilst there, I was invited to be a and the Convention Committee has some very coming out of LCIF is that Lions worldwide met
member of the Peace Poster Competition judging interesting keynote speakers lined up for us to the Bill Gates challenge and raised the $30
panel. It was a difficult job for us to select a listen to. million for measles immunisation. What a great
winner from the very impressive entries. Whilst all We are also moving into that time of year taken outcome! Please remember that LCIF needs our
entrants are to be congratulated for their very up with our Club, Region, District and State Youth support. It is launching a campaign to raise $300
impressive posters, the national winner was of the Year Finals. There is also the State Leo of million, as it is running out of money because of
Eloise Prince from Norfolk Island, sponsored by the Year Final, leading to the culmination of these all the disasters occurring worldwide. We Lions
the Arthurs Vale Lions Club in District N5. The competitions with the National Finals in May at are giving through LCIF not only in other countries
Highly Commended award went to Paris Gardiola, the Townsville Convention. This wonderful display but also here in Australia. It is important that we
sponsored by the Rockhampton Fitzroy River of youth skills and talent is another opportunity support our International Foundation. So please
Lions Club in District Q4. My congratulations to all for Lions to sell our organisation to visitors. dig deep and donate to LCIF.
clubs that encourage participation in this During the downtime when the judges are At this time of the year we are planning our
wonderful Youth Project. deliberating, it is an ideal time to show a brief travels. Townsville is a great destination, and I
Please remember that there is also an essay video from the LCI Website or YouTube of Lions at hope to see as many of you there as possible.
competition that is part of this wonderful project. work. We need to use this opportunity to Please register early as it promises to be a great
Lions Australia has its first entry, Aiden Penglis advertise what we are about and what we do, to convention.
sponsored by the Corrimal Lions Club in District invite members of the wider community to come Keep well, be happy and remember as Lions
N2. LCI is excited that our Multiple District has an along and listen to these young people speak. “WE SERVE” – Lion Malcolm Peters
entry in this year’s contest. It would be wonderful That little bit of extra effort on our part could go a
if more clubs encouraged participation in this long way to help grow our association.
youth competition. At 31 December 2017, our membership figures
Remember that the international winners of the show that we are able to bring in new members,
Peace Poster and essay competitions are however we seem to be losing more than we get.
presented on stage at the International We are now coming into the “March to May
The Lion
14Lion FEB-APRIL 2018_template Lion 8/02/2018 7:12 am Page 15
From the Executive Officer Lions’ $10,000 handover
media page. For more information on how to for W.A. eye research
Happy New Year, Lions! connect, visit our website or e-mail the office.
As we commence our Best wishes to everyone for the new year.
next centenary of service Rob Oerlemans
it’s worth thinking about Executive Officer
the future of our
organisation, and I’d like
to share two initiatives
with you. COMING UP
Our future is very • Lions Awareness Day – 3 March 2018 -
much about the people we have in our https://tinyurl.com/MD201-Aware
organisation, those who have served over the
years and those who will join us in the future.
We must remain focussed on sharing the benefits
of our organisation with our communities. The Lions Save-Sight Foundation (LSSF) and
Lions Awareness Day is the 3rd of March Lions clubs have invested $10,000 in future
2018. Over the Christmas period the National Western Australian eye research.
Office prepared 190 kits of new promotional The money, presented by LSSF Chairman PCC
materials building on our #morethansausages Ambrose Depiazzi OAM to inaugural Chairman of
campaign. The packs have been sent to each the Lions Eye Institute (LEI) PDG Dr Brian King
District to distribute to clubs, zones or regions to AM MBE (pictured above), will help create the
hold an event on Lions Awareness Day. This may new Ian Constable Chair in Discovery and
be a stall at your local supermarket, markets or Translational Ophthalmic Science at The
other events, or a community service activity University of Western Australia, based at the LEI
involving the local community. The kits focus on • Lions Advisory Board Nominations Close in Nedlands.
the reasons we are Lions – reaching out to young 5 March 2018 - http://lionsclubs.org.au/lions- “With this donation, the LSSF and Lions
people, helping the needy in our communities, advisory-board/ clubs continue to support sight-saving
raising money for disasters or to cure children’s • MD201 Convention Townsville 4-7 May initiatives in Western Australia,” Dr King said.
cancer. I hope the materials tell that story to 2018: https://tinyurl.com/MD201-2018 “They played a crucial role in the development
others and make you, our Lions, feel good about • Lions International Convention 2018 – Las of the LEI and have supported Ian Constable in
the work that you do! Vegas, 29 June – 3 July his drive to prevent and cure blindness over his
We are now in the home stretch for our http://lcicon.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.php long and distinguished career.”
Townsville Convention in May and won’t it be • ANZI Pacific Forum 2018, Wellington, New The new chair is named in honour of
fantastic to have a tropical Convention; the first Zealand, 7-9 September - Professor Constable, appointed Foundation
time in many years. One of the matters that http://www.lionsanzipacificforum.com/ Lions Chair of Ophthalmology at UWA in 1975
delegates will be asked to consider is the at the age of just 32.
establishment of a Lions Advisory Board to assist Prof. Constable set up the state’s first
the Council to manage a successful, forward- ophthalmic training program, introduced
looking organisation. You may have heard about
this at the District Convention or read about it in
Check us out online surgical procedures for vitro-retinal disease
LION
017_template
Lion 12/01/2018
10:10 am
Page 1
treatment, and in 1983 founded the LEI – now
our e-newsletter. recognised internationally as a leader in
The Australian LION
Lions Clubs
Internation
al
Australia / Papua
Guinea edition, New
It’s now time for those Lions who feel they
$1
- Feb-April 2018
scientific research. He is still an extremely
have something to offer the Lions Advisory Board magazine, like
active contributor to LEI.
to come forward. Information about the numerous other
In 2016, noted Australian philanthropist
requirements are on our website, and intending LION magazines
pp100002889
Frank Lowy made a significant donation to
around the world,
Publication No.
applicants will need to write to the Executive
Australia Post
support eye research through the creation of
can now be
Registered by
Officer by Monday 5 March 2018. If you have Grin & BEAR it Lowy Family Fellowships at the LEI. The
skills in organisational leadership and viewed online in THE LIONS PROGRA
YOUTH COPE M HELPING
WITH TRAUMA
fellowships will use income from the donation
development please consider standing. Please several formats.
to fund PhD students and other researchers in
feel free to ring me for a confidential discussion A Digimag, which can be viewed page-
direct support of the new chair.
about this opportunity. by-page or laid out in sections, can be
The Ian Constable Chair in Discovery and
Finally, this is the first of our new, quarterly accessed at
Translational Ophthalmic Science will focus on
editions of The Lion. Lions Clubs International http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication?i=39
treatments for blinding diseases such as
decided some years ago to reduce the frequency 3993 – you can access an online tutorial for
cataract and macular degeneration.
of the magazine, so from February you will a quick walk-through of the features, and
To contribute to the new chair, phone LEI
receive this magazine every three months. Of there is also an archive of previous issues.
Donor Development Officer Alisa Guillory,
course, there are other ways to stay in touch. The magazine can also be viewed as a
9381 0708. All contributors will be listed as
Any Lion can subscribe to our monthly PDF on the Lions Australia website –
foundation donors.
e-newsletter, or keep in touch via our social lionsclubs.org.au.
February - April 2018
15Lion FEB-APRIL 2018_template Lion 8/02/2018 7:12 am Page 16
LCIF
Sensory courtyard awakens children’s abilities
By Cassandra Rotolo
A hallway of the Fremont Public Schools
administration building in Fremont, Nebraska,
USA has been transformed into an oasis. The
Sensory Courtyard is an area dedicated to
engaging all five senses. Home to a hobbit
house, a fossil garden, a tree swing and even a
“Snoezelen Room”, the Sensory Courtyard is a
sanctuary for children with a multitude of
special needs who might otherwise not be able
to explore their world safely and comfortably.
Children, young adults and entire families enjoy
the hands-on experiences of the courtyard. Basalt
columns showcase the visual, tactile and audible
properties of flowing water. Dancing lights and
reflections soothe the spirit. As natural light filters
through the glass ceiling, families gather at the
sensory table to learn and play games together
while listening to calming wind chimes.
“I love taking my son there and seeing his face
light up with each new sensation and sensory
element. Looking around the courtyard, I see the OASIS OF THE SENSES: The Mau family enjoys the courtyard. (above), while (bottom left) Zack shows off
smiles of children and parents. It’s a beautiful his skills.
experience,” says Miranda Long of Fremont.
“When you are given a diagnosis of autism, courtyard, dreams of expanding it to include even
The courtyard encourages the exploration of new
developmental delay or anything else that places more hands-on sensory experiences. Camping,
textures, promotes positive attitudes and inclusion
your child in the special needs category, you additional art or tasting activities or STEM (science,
and enriches educational and motor skills
quickly become overwhelmed by all the things that technology, engineering, and maths) exploration
development. The courtyard also raises awareness
the doctors, family, friends and society tell you they areas could be added.
of special needs within the community – from
can’t do,” says Summer Mau, a board member of
visual impairment and mobility limitations to tactile
defensiveness. Lions Clubs International Foundation
the Autism Center of Nebraska. “I wanted to do
everything I could for my children. The Sensory
Lion overcame dire illness
(LCIF) awarded a $75,000 grant to the Lions of A certified orientation and mobility specialist at
Courtyard gives us a fun family experience, free of
District 38-O for the courtyard. Fremont Public Schools, Lion Mary Robinson
judgment of the abilities my children lack. There
The courtyard includes Snoezelen Rooms, teaches blind and visually impaired students.
are not many situations in our community where
relaxing, multisensory environments beneficial for Robinson came up with the idea for the
we get to experience things together as a family.”
children with autism, those with behavioural courtyard after learning about a young child who is
Ayden Crom, 3, also has benefited from the
concerns, people with visual impairments and even blind but made great strides when he began
courtyard. He is tactile defensive, which means
older adults with cognitive disabilities. These gardening with his mother. Robinson worked for
that his body interprets the sensation of touch with
rooms help reduce anxiety, stimulate reactions and three years with her John C. Fremont Lions Club,
fear, pain or discomfort. The pain of anything
encourage communication. Lights, sounds, neighbouring clubs, local nonprofit organisations,
touching the soles of his feet was so great that he
textures and smells can be used to calm agitation artists, architects and the school board to bring her
could walk only on his knees. Ayden’s involuntary
or spur exploration. dream to life.
responses to touch kept him from meeting many
Only months before the courtyard was due to be
developmental milestones for his age.
unveiled, progress came to a halt when Robinson
Initially, Ayden was unable to interact with many
received a devastating diagnosis. What she had
of the courtyard experiences. Sitting on the edge of
written off as simple fatigue was, in fact, acute
the ball pit in the Snoezelen Room was all he could
myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a cancer of the
handle. But his teachers persisted, taking him back
blood and bone marrow; it is the most aggressive
regularly over the next several weeks. He got a little
form of leukemia with the lowest survival rate.
bit closer to the ball pit each time, experimented
Armed with a positive attitude, support from her
with putting a toe in and eventually jumped in.
family and community and her refusal to give up,
Now Ayden will sit in the pit and cover himself
Robinson fought for her life. Her treatment was
with the balls, rock on the horse, accept a ball in
aggressive, causing her to be very sick. But all the
two hands and sit on a hard chair. He explores the
while, she kept a smile on her face.
fossil garden without fear and presses his feet
The opening of the Sensory Courtyard was
against the squishy bottom of the mud hole. He’s
postponed while Robinson was being treated. After
catching up on key developmental milestones and
several rounds of chemotherapy, she was cancer-
is now ready for preschool.
free, and the courtyard opened to rave reviews.
Lion Mary Robinson, the champion of the
The Lion
16Lion FEB-APRIL 2018_template Lion 8/02/2018 7:12 am Page 17
LCIF & partners: gender equality
in Delhi Aiding the
fight against
By Ariel Dickson of LCIF. “This Lions
Gender-based violence and inequality are a Quest project will
sad reality in many countries around the bring positive social
world. According to the World Health
Organization, an estimated 35 percent of
women worldwide have experienced some
change and make a
difference for
thousands of women
future fires
form of physical or sexual violence. and girls in the Delhi
These acts can leave women with painful area. It is a shining
Two years after devastating bushfires in
repercussions, both physically and example of the
psychologically. In many areas of the world, these positive youth Western Australia, Esperance Lions Club
women are shunned from their families and development skills Lions Quest has fostered in has handed over $7000 for a purpose-built
communities. Unable to find work, women are left millions of young people.” training area to simulate fire-fighting and
with limited abilities to provide for themselves and “(This curriculum) will enable (adolescents) to rescue situations.
their children. Furthermore, children who grow up identify and access support systems and The money went to the Esperance Volunteer
in families with violence often perpetuate or resources that exist in their surroundings, address
Fire and Rescue Service and was part of
experience violence later in life. To end the cycle, and prevent discrimination and violence and
educating and empowering youth from an early create safer spaces for themselves and their $80,000 disbursed from the Bushfire Relief
age is a vital step in overcoming these obstacles. peers,” said Pauline Gomes, Senior Manager at Fund.
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), in Breakthrough. After the bushfires, the Esperance club
collaboration with Breakthrough Communications “We are excited and honoured to have acted as a conduit for the collection of money
PL (link to http://breakthrough.net.in/) and the partnered with other distinguished organisations
from the public, other Lions clubs from
Independent Television Service, Inc. (ITVS) (link to to launch this one-of-a-kind curriculum-based
https://itvs.org/]) has launched a new initiative on intervention,” said Abhishek Srivastava, India Australia and the South Pacific, the Australian
gender-based violence prevention in Delhi, India. Engagement Coordinator for ITVS. Lions Foundation and the Lions Clubs
The initial training took place October 10-11, To reach these ambitious goals, Lions Quest International Foundation.
2017, in conjunction with International Day of the and partners trained teachers from nine local The money was handed over by Esperance
Girl Child. The project promotes a positive school schools in social and emotional learning, as well President Peter Dempster during a visit by
climate and safe learning environment for all as overcoming patriarchal norms, gender biases
Lions to the rescue service’s complex.
students. LCIF allocated US$100,000 in seed and stereotypes in the initial pilot. In addition to
funding for this multi-organisational collaborative training teachers to implement the curriculum, all Other donations from the fund included:
project. classrooms received printed teacher books, l $32,000 towards relief in the Scaddan to
The initial pilot intervention, titled Dosti Ka student journals, videos and copies of Priya’s Grasspatch areas and support to Blazeaid.
Safar (The Journey of Friendship), was built using Shakti – a celebrated graphic novel about a l $12,000 towards those affected in the
Lions Quest lessons and programming, and will female rape victim turned super hero in an Indian
Merivale area.
help foster and cultivate greater gender equity village.
among 2,000 youth in New Delhi and surrounding Earlier in 2017, Lions Clubs International signed l $29,000 towards the Rural Bushfire
regions. This customised intervention utilises a Memorandum of Understanding with UN Women Brigades for communications, signage and
teacher-led discussions, serialised films and the (link to other shortcomings identified during and after
Lions Quest model of “skills practice” to extend http://lionsclubs.org/blog/2017/03/08/lions-and- the bushfires.
constructive behaviours from the lessons into the un-women-partner-for-gender-equality-
everyday classroom and community at large. womensday/), the United Nations Entity for Gender FIRE READY: Esperance Volunteer Fire & Rescue
“Lions Clubs International Foundation is Equality and the Empowerment of Women, to Services Captain Sunny Fissioli gratefully accepts
honoured to collaborate with transformative further LCI’s commitment to the UN Sustainable a cheque from Esperance President Peter
pioneers,” said Chancellor Bob Corlew, Chairman Development Goals (link to Dempster.
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/).
For more than 30 years, Lions Quest has
developed and implemented a comprehensive,
evidence-based social and emotional learning
program in schools all over the world. Through
curriculum dissemination, professional
development and community engagement, more
than 16 million youth have benefited from the
program. The project in India marks a new
milestone in Lions’ service to youth worldwide. It
inspires a hopeful future where men and women
have the same opportunities, and all people are
free to live a safe and happy life.
February - April 2018
17Lion FEB-APRIL 2018_template Lion 8/02/2018 7:12 am Page 18
MEDICAL MOVERS
WELCOME GIFT: Representatives of the Zeiss Company pr esent the
refurbished ophthalmic microscope to members of the Lions Eye Health
Program (LEHP) Queensland Districts.
NEW HOPE: Lions Club of Drouin’s Terry Hayler (left) and President Erica Wassenberg
hand over the cheque to unit manager Wilma Wallace and director of clinical operations
Eye microscope for Kathmandu
Kathy Kinrade. The newborn resuscitaire is between them. An ophthalmic microscope, important in the treatment of eye
treatment, will soon be heading to Kathmandu, Nepal thanks to a
Needy newborns benefit from expo Queensland Lions club.
Late last year Rockhampton Fitzroy River Lions took delivery of the
Special care babies born in Victoria’s West Gippsland Hospital will benefit surgical microscope from the Carl ZEISS Foundation, part of the Carl
from a neonatal resuscitaire unit provided by Lions. Zeiss Company.
The unit was donated by the local Lions Club of Drouin. The company refurbishes traded-in ZEISS surgical equipment at no
Much of the money for the unit came from the club’s fundraising through its cost and makes it available to communities in need. In Australasia,
annual Garden & Home Expo at Lardner Park, with the Australian Lions ZEISS and its customers support rural and disadvantaged areas to
Foundation chipping in an extra $8,000 as a grant to meet the required total of access valuable surgical technology.
$23,431. As the Rockhampton Fitzroy River Lions Club LEHP program has
Director of Clinical Operations, Kathy Kinrade, said the Neonatal Resuscitaire been supporting the Lions Eye Hospital in Kathmandu for some time,
Unit has provided infants with a purpose-built examination bed that includes a it was decided to donate the microscope there to replace an old and
warmer as well as special monitoring devices. difficult-to-use model.
The portable unit also provides oxygen for resuscitation and emergency care. In his capacity as a doctor and a Lion, club member Dr Anil
Drouin President Erica Wassenberg and member Terry Hayler presented the Sharma, who has been donating his time to treat people and train
cheque to health care group staff. “A huge effort by Drouin Lions members and ophthalmologists at the Kathmandu hospital over many years, will
the community went into this fundraising drive,” said Erica. hand over the microscope.
Drouin Secondary College Leos Club members also helped over the Garden & The Zeiss Company’s regional sales manager for Queensland and
Home Expo weekend. New Zealand, Cathy O’Connor, and company personnel presented the
In addition to funds for the hospital, Drouin Lions made donations to other microscope to the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) Queensland
needy causes in the local community via proceeds from the expo. Districts representative, Rob Willson, and Dr Sharma at the Mater
Hospital.
Back to the future with $527,000 asthma research bonanza from long-gone Lions club
Victoria’s Lions Club of Belgrave might not have existed since 2004 club could make a difference. Ray established The Asthma Research Fund
but it keeps on giving. in the 1980s.
Late last year, former members of the club donated more than When he passed away last year, former members met at his funeral
$527,000 to research into asthma. The money was the result of several and they realised the funds were still in the bank.
decades of community fundraising and was handed over to Asthma Past President of the club, Paul Kouris, said he had forgotten all about
Australia. it! “One of our founding members, Michael Gysberts, went to the bank and
When the club wound up, its fundraising money stayed in trust and was surprised that the funds had grown so much.
more than doubled in the intervening years thanks to compounding “It was very important to the club that the funds raised are used
interest. for medical research into asthma in Victoria, and with Asthma
Asthma Australia has hailed the donation as a remarkable Australia they will be. We are very proud. It’s a wonderful thing for
achievement. asthma research. It shows what can be done with vision and
The back story is that PDG and Charter President of Belgrave Lions, Ray persistence.”
O’Donnell, suffered asthma throughout his life and was determined the Asthma affects one in nine people in Australia.
The Lion
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