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Lions Clubs International

Australia / Papua New Guinea edition – $1 Centennial special – April-May 2017

Registered by Australia Post Publication No. pp100002889

100 YEARS OF SERVICE WORLDWIDE

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“To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs b y providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation”

Lion – Australia and PNG Lion - Australia and Papua New Guinea edition is published bi-monthly for the Multiple District 201 Council of Lions Clubs International and circulated to all members. Published by MD201 Council of Governors and printed by PMP Print, 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton Victoria 3168. An official publication of Lions Clubs Interna tional, the Lion magazine is published by authority of Board of Directors in 21 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 Media 20 Millett Road Gisborne South VIC 3437 Phone: (03) 9744 1368 Email: [email protected] Advertising Enquiries: Lions National Office 31-33 Denison St, Newcastle West, NSW 2302 Phone: (02) 4940-8033 Lions Australia website: www.lionsclubs.org.au Deadlines: 1st day of month before co ver date. MD201 Council of Governors: C1 Paddy McKay, C2 Bryan Hearn, N1 Malcolm Peters, N2 Sharon Bishop, N3 Rosalie Sellers, N4 Roger Thomas, N5 Dennis Halpin, Q1 Graham Jackson, Q2 Brian Hewett, Q3 Norm Jensen, Q4 Jan Barsby, T1 Michael Walsh, V1-4 Naga Sundararajah, V2 Terry Heazlewood, V3 Anita Culpitt, V5 Brian Buchanan, V6 Peter Poels, W1 Michael Wolf, W2 Terry Collinson. Council Chairman: Rodd Chignell 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: [email protected] USA Editor-In-Chief - Sanjeev Ahuja Managing Editor - Christopher Brunch, Lions Clubs International 300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 605238842 USA Executive Officers: President Chancellor Robert E. “Bob” Corlew, Milton, Tennessee, United States; Immediate Past President Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada, Minokamo-shi, Gifu-ken, Japan; First Vice President Naresh Aggarwal, Delhi, India; Second Vice President Gudrun Yngvadottir, Gardabaer, Iceland; Third Vice President Jung-Yul Choi, Busan City, Korea. Directors First Year: Bruce Beck, Minnesota, United States; Tony Benbow, Vermont South, Australia; K. Dhanabalan, Erode, India; Luiz Geraldo Ma theus Figueira, 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, Massachusetts, United States; Nicolin Carol Moore, Arima, Trinidad and Tobago; Yasuhisa Nakamura, Saitama, Japan; Aruna Abhay Oswal, Gujrat, India; Vijay Kumar Raju Vegesna, Visakhapatnam, India; Elien van Dille, Ronse, Belgium; Jennifer Ware, Michigan, United States; Jaepung Yoo, Cheongju, Korea. Directors Second year: Melvyn K. Bray, New Jersey, United States; Pierre H. Chatel, Montpellier, France; Eun-Seouk Chung, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; Gurcharan Singh Hora, Siliguri, India; Howard Hudson, California, United States; Sanjay Khetan, Birgani, Nepal; Robert M. Libin, New York, United States; Richard Liebno, Maryland, United States; Helmut Marhauer, Hildesheim, Germany; Bill Phillipi, Kansas, United States; Lewis Quinn, Alaska, United States; Yoshiyuki Sato, Oita, Japan; Gabriele Sabatosanti Scarpelli, Genova, Italy; Jerome Thompson, Alabama, United States; Ramiro Vela Villarreal, Nuevo León, Mexico; Roderick “Rod” Wright, New Brunswick, Canada; Katsuyuki Yasui, Hokkaido, Japan.

LION

April - May 2017 Volume 130 No. 2

Connections, influence, friendship, philanthropy COVER: For 100 years, since American businessman Melvin Jones formed a club to help those in need, Lions have been serving others. In Australia we have been serving as Lions for 70 years. Now it’s time for us to look back at what we have achieved, and to plan what we’ll achieve in the next century.

Our cover

‘We serve’

Page 4 - Celebration year

Page 8 - Genome power

Page 10 - Skin screening

CONTENTS 4 4 6 8 11 14

International President’s report 100 years of service worldwide 100 years of service in Australia Genome power Blindness can’t stop Col Council Chairman’s report

17 19 20 24 27 28

LCIF: Reaching across borders Have a Lion of a time in Tasmania LCIF annual report Lions out & about Your say International Convention delegate form

Deadlines Contributions for the JUNE - JULY 2017 issue should be submitted by May 1 to The Editor, Lion magazine, Tony Fawcett, Fawcett Media, 20 Millett Rd, Gisborne South, Victoria 3437 or emailed to [email protected]. 3

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By Bob Corlew, Lions Clubs International President

A new service platform for

100 YEARS OF SERVICE

OUR SECOND CENTURY When I was younger in the 1960s, the winds of change blew. Then again, those winds are always blowing. “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future, ” President John F. Kennedy said. So we have to manage the inevitable change. “Change with direction” is how I like to put it. We need to change the world in a positive manner . Lions Clubs International is changing with direction. We are moving ahead with a new ser vice platform. Our past is still relevant, and we’ll still help the blind, support youth and do the many things that clubs do. Besides focusing on vision, we’ll control diabetes, address childhood cancer, protect the environment and curb hunger. These five areas represent our new global service framework. Our work with diabetes will be emphasised. Diabetes is a rapidly growing scourge both in developed and developing nations. Lions will increase a wareness and expand screening and treatment programs. We’ll also really step up our environmental efforts, which really matter to younger Lions and Leos. We’ll work for clean water and air, better sanitation and more passive sources of energy. As for vision, besides assisting the blind and continuing to build eye clinics and hospitals, we’ll help those with impaired vision. We’ll increase our eye screening of children and devote more resources to growing problems such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. A common chord we will strike in ser ving will be supporting youth. We’ll especially target pediatric cancer. Sadly, survival rates are as low as 10 percent in some na tions. We chose this framework after much stud y and consultation with Lions and Leos. We are confident our new global ser vice framework matches the interests and ca pabilities of Lions and Leos. Our goal is to ser ve 200 million people annually by 2021. That’s an ambitious plan: it triples our current humanitarian impact. But we know that in the past when Lions ha ve been asked to reach a goal they smashed past it. The world is rapidly changing. Lions will meet tha t change with a renewed, refocused commitment to ser ving the world’s needs. Our second century of service will greatly expand our scope and reach and ensure Lions remain the grea test force for good among all service groups. 4

MELVIN’S DREAM

Melvin Jones was a dreamer, a doer and a pragmatist. He was an energetic, extroverted salesman who in private hours would reread Shakespeare. What better man to found the world’s largest association of service clubs? The Lions International Board of Directors officially designa ted Jones as the founder of Lions Clubs in 1958 – more than four decades after Lions Clubs held its first meeting. But, no matter what his official title, Jones’ impact on Lions has been far reaching. He provided the leadership, the organisational ability, the tenacity and the muscle necessary to establish the founda tion for Lions Clubs Interna tional to become what it is today. “What if these men who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?” Jones asked. He saw a new kind of club with the desire to help others.

Meet some famous Lions     

Sir Edmund Hillary, mountaineer, Mt Everest conqueror Gerald Ford, American President Jimmy Carter, American President Admiral Richard Byrd, Antarctic explorer Amelia Earhart, aviator and honourary Lion Lion

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SERVING OTHERS:

Helen Keller, blind and deaf from 19 months of age, laid down the challenge to Lions in 1925 to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Lions

accepted her challenge and have been involved in sight programs ever since.

WORLDWIDE HOW LIONS BEGAN

In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-yearold Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Jones’ group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organisational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the “Association of Lions Clubs”, and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of tha t year. A constitution, by-laws, objectives and a code of ethics were approved. And the rest is histor y.

AT THE START:

Members of the first Lions Club, the Chicago Central Lions Club. Chartered in 1917, it carried on the legacy and vision of Lions Clubs founder Melvin Jones.

Centennial Commemorative Coins on sale Celebrate 100 years of humanitarian ser vice by purchasing a Lions Clubs Centennial Commemorative Coin. This exquisitely crafted, limited-edition silver dollar coin is produced by the United Sta tes Mint and features our founder Melvin Jones. This keepsake coin is the perfect way to honour our rich histor y and support the life-changing work of Lions around the world. For each coin sold, US$10 is authorised to be paid to Lions Clubs Interna tional Foundation (up to US$4 million) to improve the lives of even more people in need. The proof-finish Centennial Coin costs US$52.95. Coins will only be minted during 2017 and supplies are limited. Don’t miss your chance to o wn a piece of Lions histor y. Order your Centennial Coin today! – http://lions100.lionsclubs.org/EN/about/centennial-coin.php April - May 2017

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HOW LIONS CAME TO AUSTRALIA Australian William R. Tresise was about to exceed the age limit for volunteer organisation Apex in the mid-1940s when he stumbled upon the opportunity to bring the ser vice programs and international friendship of Lions Clubs International to his home countr y. In his last year with Apex, Tresise travelled to San Francisco to represent the organisation at a 1946 service clubs conference. A chance meeting in California with Fred W. Smith, a Lion who went on to serve as International President from 1947 to 1948, couldn’t have been better timed. Lions clubs, Tresise discovered, had no age limit. The organisation was dedicated to service, and it was expanding around the world. Both men saw an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. Tresise spoke with other Lions leaders – including Melvin Jones, the organisation’s founder and secretary-general, and soon found himself a ppointed a provisional district governor of Lions Clubs charged with founding a Lions c lub in Australia. Tresise went home to Lismore, NSW. Although the city was small, he had plenty of business contacts and he invited man y of them to hear about Lions. His enthusiasm was infectious. Within a year, the Lismore Lions Club organised, and on 29 September 1947, the club received its charter, making Australia the 18th nation to join Lions Clubs. At the time of his death in 1975, Australia had almost 1000 clubs.

70 YEARS OF SERVICE IN

THERE WHEN WE’RE NEEDED

In 70 years, Australian Lions have been there whenever a major community need has arisen. We have a proud history of achievement in disaster and emergenc y relief, medical research and community ser vice. We were at the coalface for Cyclone Tracy, the Black Saturday bushfires and the Queensland floods. We were involved with the development of the bionic ear and the cer vical cancer vaccine Gardasil. We inspired a young Fred Hollows and continue to provide funding for a range of other research initia tives involving diabetes, childhood cancer and autism. We assist with local community fundraising for special causes and help with development and building of local parks, community venues and sporting centres.

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Australia’s LION magazine was one of the first. Today, 33 international editions of the magazine are printed in 20 languages, and digital and audio versions help ensure Lions can access the news wherever they go.

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BRINGING OUT THE BEST: Whether it’s raising money by cooking sausages or inspiring others like Dick Smith (who donated $1 million to the Australian Lions Foundation in 2013) with our invaluable work, Australian Lions have in 70 years established a deep bond with the communities we serve.

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AUSTRALIA

First Australian International President

One of the proudest years for Australian Lions was 2013 when Lion Barr y Palmer made history by becoming the first Australian Lion to be elected to the International Presidenc y. A Lion since 1976, Barry, now a Member of the Order of Australia, took over the reins in Lions’ 94th year, leading 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 c lubs in 207 countries and geogra phic areas around the globe.

WE SERVE

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GENOME POWER: decoding kids’ cancer How we can give others just like Ava a fighting chance The concept is simple: ever y child deserves a chance at a healthy life. Making that happen is now one step closer, thanks to a combination of good deeds, dollars and genome power. Cheeky, smart, obsessed with Frozen: at first glance Ava seems to be an average six-year -old. Rewind to January 2011, however, and it’s a different story. When Ava was six months old, doctors found a 5.5cm neuroblastoma in her chest and abdomen, with secondary bone cancer. Over the next year, little Ava endured eight rounds of chemotherapy and three operations. Then, just before Christmas, the family received the best possible seasonal gift: news that Ava required no further treatment. Now, with part-time monitoring, Ava can enjoy the ever yday pleasures of any other healthy child, oblivious of her babyhood illness, just as it should be. Sadly, others aren’t so fortunate. Cancer is the most common cause of disease-related death in Australian children. Every year, more than 950 children and adolescents are diagnosed with Picture:and Tourism Shelleyever y cancers, nearlyTasmania three will &dieSamuel from cancer week. 8

It’s children like Ava – alongside the less happy stories – that have inspired a landmark partnership to combat children’s cancer. Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) and the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation (ALCCRF) have joined forces to launch the Lions Kids Cancer Genome Project. The project funds whole genome sequencing of tumour and normal tissue for 400 Australian children with high-risk cancer, which will help clinicians to determine the best treatment for each child. In addition, this information will establish a database of genomic factors that predispose children to cancer, which will assist with prevention and treatment strategies into the future. The three-year project brings together Gar van’s state-of-the-art capability in whole genome sequencing and analysis, and Australia’s national personalised medicine program in childhood cancer, the Zero Childhood Cancer Program, led by the Children’s Cancer Institute and the Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. Such an exceptional vision, however, requires exceptional generosity and dedication. While LCIF

has committed $2.7 million and ALCCRF $0.5 million – the country’s biggest philanthropic donation for kids cancer – the remaining $0.8 million required for project completion still needs to be found. Lions members are encouraged to fundraise for the project throughout 2017, and clubs or individuals can set up their own online fundraising page to encourage donations. To learn more, visit genomepower.org.au.

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Let’s take it to cancer Lions and The Garvan Institute of Medical Research are offering kids with high risk cancers a better chance of a healthier future. Trust Lions to be taking the next big step in kids’ cancer . Every year in Australia, almost 800 kids are diagnosed with cancers, many of them aggressive, hard to treat and with a high risk of mortality . Although the survival rates have improved greatly for some cancers, others still take a heavy toll on our young peoples’ lives. Lions have been helping kids with cancer for the past 40 years. But now, with the help of scientific breakthroughs in genomics, we are taking these efforts to a whole new level. Lions and the Garvan Institute: a partnership that can save kids’ lives The Garvan Institute of Medical Research are leaders in genomics and genome sequencing. Put simply, your genome is all of your DNA that determines how your body functions. Your genome is unique to you. Sequencing your genome can reveal changes in your genes that can lead to diseases like cancer. Now, Lions and Garvan have combined to harness the power of the genome to radically transform the understanding and treatment of kids’ cancers. Unlocking genome power. It could be a matter of life and death The mission of the Lions Kids Cancer Genome Project is to sequence the genomes from 400 kids with high risk, aggressive cancers. The information gained will be used to track changes in the tumour and to better target treatment. So each child will get precision treatment that matches their tumour. The right treatment for the right cancer at the right time. For the first time, we have the science to achieve this goal. How we are going to help kids fight back against cancer The Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation and Lions

April - May 2017

Club International Foundation (LCIF) have committed $3.2 million to fund the genome sequencing of 400 children with high risk cancers in Australia. An additional $800,000 needs to be raised to fulfil the project. This funding will enable Gar van to undertake the sequencing, analysis and the creation of a database which can be used by researchers and doctors worldwide. It could help kids ever ywhere have a better chance of a healthy life. It is also your opportunity to be part of a massive step forward in the fight against kids’ cancers. How you can join the fight This initiative is not something that will happen some time in the future. It can start today. The science and technology are available now . The doctors are waiting. And most importantly, our kids’ lives depend on it. Here’s how you and your club can get involved: • Raise funds in your community. It may be a Lions Biggest BBQ or one of the many other ways that you or your Lions club work to help others. Visit www.genomepower.org.au to set up your fundraising page • Make a direct donation online at www .giving.garvan.org.au/lions • Send a cheque to: Lions Kids Cancer Genome Project PO Box 7033 West Lakes, SA 5021 • Call us on 1300 73 66 77 (9am to 5pm AEST) Genome Power. Let’s take it to cancer A joint initiative of Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation, Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Gar van Institute of Medical Research. * Donations of $2 and over are fully tax deductible. You will receive a receipt from Garvan Research Foundation (the fundraising arm of the Gar van Institute).

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Lions lead charge against skin cancer FREE SCREENING DETECTS 38 WITH AT-RISK LESIONS The worth of skin screening was evident when 38 people were detected with life-threatening lesions at a free weekend screening organised by South Australia’s Waikerie Lions. Held under the banner of the Lions Cancer Institute of Western Australia, the screening examined 221 community members and also referred 54 people to their general practitioners. Spokesperson for the project and Waikerie Lions Club cabinet director Joe Vikor said the local appointments were booked out almost as soon as they opened. “We had about 80 people we couldn’t accommodate due to a full appointment book, so it shows there is a real need for this in our community, and it was pleasing to see people taking the time out for their health,” Joe said. The screening team. “Funding for this project comes primarily from Lions clubs and other donations and there is no charge to the patient for the ser vice.” Lions Club skin screenings act as a filtering agency; and the referral rate No formal prognosis or diagnosis was offered to those screened, but anyone averages between 27% and 30% when 100 patients are screened, and 63 of believed to have an area of skin that required further investigation was handed those would normally not have any suspect lesions. a sheet with an indication of the area of concern shown on a skeletal drawing. The protocols under which the Lions screening program operates are The person screened was then urged to make an urgent appointment with designed to support local medical practitioners, giving nominated medical his/her nominated general GP to have the area of concern investigated further . practitioners more time to deal with the patients who have problems rather than Joe Vikor said it was disappointing to see that out of the 221 people looking at patients with clear skin. screened, only 120 had previously had a screening. Adapted from a story by Sonia Fowler, The River News Undertaking the screening were Siva Lowings, Chris Lowings and Colin Beauchamp, all from Western Australia.

NEW SKIN CANCER UNIT

Lions from all over South Australia came together to celebrate the launch of their new Skin Cancer Screening Unit at the Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide City. Hosted by news media personality Graeme Goodings, the gala presentation featured an iconic sausage sizzle for the public and music from high energy band The Borderers. Presiding at the launch was South Australian Governor His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, supported by a host of dignitaries and sporting personalities.

WORK BEGINS: On hand to see Colin Beauc hamp

screening Nat Cook MP were (from left) Professor Brendon Coventry and Katrine Hildyard MP and (right) Rachael Sporn (CEO of the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation).

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Picture courtesy Sentinel Times

Blindness can’t stop Col! He might be legally blind but this green-thumbed Lion is a sho wstopping success The fact that a Lion has opened his garden to raise funds is not all that newsworthy. What is newsworthy is that this gardening Lion is legally blind. So proficient a gardener is he, people recently flocked to his garden to admire its quality . Lion Col Willmott and his wife, Lion Pam, raised more than $3000 for Macular Degeneration Research by opening the beautiful garden of their Wonthaggi North, Victoria home. The garden, covering almost an acre, has been

planted and designed by Col assisted by Pam. More than 250 people visited the immaculate garden on the open day. Col suffers from Macular Degeneration and, despite being legally blind, is an avid gardener and also the local Wonthaggi’s club’s “BBQ chef extraordinaire”. He first discovered he was suffering the degenerative eye condition 15 years ago. Macular Degeneration occurs when the small central part of the retina, known as the macular,

degenerates. The retina is the light-sensitive ner ve tissues at the back of the eye. In the past 20 months, Col has re-established the garden with native plants and says gardening is a great outdoor interest for him. “I used to love fishing but I can’t take the boat out now, and I like to be outside, ” he told the local Sentinel Times. “If I have a go at something I always like to have a proper go at it.”

Meet a Lion who’s always on the go John White was the toast of N2’ s Figtree Lions Club recently when DG Sharon Bishop presented him with a Lions International award for 50 years of ser vice. In the past half centur y John has held ever y portfolio except the treasurer’s job. Since joining in 1966-67 he has been a tireless worker not only for the club but also for other community organisations in the Illawarra. As a cancer carer, he regularly drives cancer April - May 2017

patients to and from Wollongong Hospital for treatment and is a volunteer driver for the Uniting Care Aged Care facility at Farmborough Grove. Why did he join Lions? “My wife Yvonne’s former boss Michael Baker was a foundation member of Figtree Lions Club and he got me involved,” John said “He was the tailtwister and I was always getting fined. I used to think ‘how does he know about that’ and realised he must have been eavesdropping on Yvonne at work!” 11

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Wheels for sergeant Donna When Donna Fuller, a 42-year-old communications support sergeant at the Cairns police station, was holidaying on Norfolk Island last year she suffered a brain aneurysm. Airlifted to Brisbane hospital, Donna underwent operations to relieve pressure on her brain, suffering eight strokes, becoming paralysed down her right side and enduring severe speech difficulties. Since that time Donna has undergone a series of rehabilitation and speech therapy sessions which are providing slow but steady progress. Early in Donna’s therapy it became evident her quality of life and mental and physical recovery were being compromised by a lack of everyday mobility. Cairns Barrier Reef Lions were called in to

assist fundraising with a ‘Get Wheels For Donna’ campaign and, together with an Australian Lions Foundation grant and money collected by Donna and friends and family, $8,500 was raised for a wheelchair. With the aid of her wheelchair and ongoing therapy, Donna has moved back into her modified home unit and with the support of friends and her police colleagues stoically battles the day-to-day challenges and frustrations that have become an unwanted intrusion into her life.

Toowoomba West’s record $100,000 Wonderland Toowoomba West Inc Lions are celebrating a stunning $100,000 payoff from their 2016 Christmas Wonderland event. The money, which has already been handed over to worthy causes ($32,000 each to local LifeLine organisations, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and Toowoomba Hospice, with the balance going to several minor beneficiaries), was raised via gold coin donations. It is a record for the event. Held nightly as a light show in the Botanic Gardens section of Toowoomba’s Queens Park from the first Saturday night in December up to Christmas Eve, the latest Christmas Wonderland was a logistics marathon, with 690kg of sausages being cooked, 620 loaves of bread being used, 14,500 glow products being sold and 12,000 artistically tied balloons being given out. Lions Cheryl Orton, Debbie McAlpine and Sandra Tessmann catch up with the Caped Crusader during the record-breaking event.

The organising team worked two days a week throughout the year before the event and it’s estimated total hours worked during the 22 nights were 4,434. Attractions included choirs, bands, dance performances, roving entertainers and schools entertaining on two big grassed dance areas. “Without the generosity and support of our sponsors, our volunteers, our project committee, and our local community, this event would not be able to happen,” said project chairman and manager Marshall Cox. So far the annual festival has returned $854,500 to the Toowoomba community through nominated beneficiaries. The club hopes this year’s event, a celebration of the 100th anniversar y of Lions International, the 70th anniversary of Lions in Australia, and the 10th anniversary of Christmas Wonderland, will lift returns over the $1 million mark.

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Leos on the leadership trail in Bali Four Leos from Cherrybrook Leo Club in N5 recently attended a Leo Leadership Camp at the Puri Taman Sari Resort, Bali. The weekend camp, hosted by the Leos and Lions of MD307, is an annual event for Leos in their area, but through the connective power of social media, the Australian Leos were invited to join them. The Cherrybrook attendees were Leos Khushal Polepalle, Aparna Vishwanathan, Gayara Welegama and Gajan Shivaramanan, and they all declared it a fantastic success. They were overwhelmed with the welcome they received and have come back full of excitement and enthusiasm for their future as Leos. Here is a summary of the weekend from Leo Gajan: FRIDAY The reception we received was unbelievably welcoming. We were picked up from the airport and taken straight to the resort by Leo Rah Angga of the Bali Shanthi Leo Club. Although our flight was delayed by two hours, he had

waited for us and our dinner had been saved. SATURDAY We were split into different teams and conducted a number of great leadership strengthening exercises. We were given the opportunity to speak in front of the Indonesian Leos and Lions and contribute our ideas. Most of the Leos were exceptionally strong in English so translation was not a problem (although there were some times when we felt a bit confused, but then a Leo would turn to us and explain what was going on). We particularly enjoyed Lion Anthony who gave a few powerful motivational talks about what it means to be in a position of power and how we can instil change and turn dreams into goals. SUNDAY We were given a tour of the beautiful rice fields which surrounded the resort over a one-hour walk. When we returned we had a period of reflection where the Cherr ybrook Leos had the opportunity to get together and plan what we wanted to bring back with us to Australia. We

engaged in a lot of networking with the Indonesian Leos and Lions whom we hope to keep as close contacts in the future. All up it was the best experience we have ever had as Leos and can only hope we get the opportunity to do it again.

TIME OF THEIR LEO LIVES: The N5 Leos – (above, left to right) Aparna Vishwanathan, Gajan Shivaramanan, Gayara Welegama and Khushal Polepalle – rate the leadership camp as pro viding the best time they have had as Leos to date. GETTING TOGETHER: The Bali leadership camp

(left) offered a welcoming vibe to all, including the four Australians.

Youth of the Year winner Jordan tastes Army action Just a few years ago Jordan Green

Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, United

was named 2014 National Winner of

Kingdom, United States and Vanuatu.

the Lions Youth of the Year program ...

Its aim was to facilitate training

now he’s part of Australia’s defence

designed to collate regional partners in the

forces.

event of extreme and adverse weather

In July last year he became a

conditions requiring immediate response

Lieutenant in the Army and late last year

by coalition forces. It was the first time

was involved in a New Caledonia exercise

Jordan had commanded Australian troops

with military personnel from Australia,

overseas and at times he also was in

France, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Japan, New

command of foreign troops.

April - May 2017

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FROM THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT From Council Chairman Rodd Greetings to all the members of our wonderful Lions family throughout Australia as we enter the final quarter of our Lions year. Wow, time does fly. It will soon be our National Convention in Hobart, Tasmania. With an entertaining and informative program planned for looking forward and looking back, and a superb location, this will be a great opportunity for you to help in the centenary celebrations. Remember, it helps everyone if you register early rather than leaving it to the last minute, so go to the website or your district newsletter, complete and lodge the registration form. See you there. We are also at that time of the year for club elections, asking our Lions to stand up and support their club and their community. It is the opportunity to have a go, to be part of our growing organisation and helping to meet the need wherever it is. Club members need to support those taking the opportunity to lead and I ask that you assist wherever you can. I commend all those who are stepping up to be community leaders The Council of Governors met in Januar y and had a very productive meeting which included agreement to support the Long Range Development Committee’s road map for the strategic development of Lions Australia for the foreseeable future. The District Governors Elect were also briefed on the plan and displayed their support and encouragement. This is an exciting opportunity for us all as we move into our next centur y of service. I am aware that many clubs participated in Citizenship Ceremonies on Australia Day where the aspect of Lions serving their community was easy to see. I congratulate all those clubs and I encourage other clubs to be involved where they can offer membership of our organisation to these new Australians to support their new communities. I mentioned last month how the lead-up to our National Convention between March and May is a wonderful time for clubs and districts. This is when the Club Youth of the Year competition is finalised 14

with District and State finals and the states conduct their Leo of the Year Final. All this culminates in the display of their skills and talents at the Youth of the Year and Leo of the Year Finals at the MD Convention in Hobart. Once again these are great opportunities to sell Lions to visitors. In Hobart, the final is on Monday 8 May and a number of local schools have been invited to attend to view this showcase event. This is an excellent opportunity to advertise what we do and invite members of the wider community to come along and listen to the young people speak. March to May is also time for our annual membership drive. A time when all Lions in Australia can focus on seeking At the end of to expand our service by February, 639 of our 1224 clubs had encouraging new members to join added at least one our organisation. It was interesting new member this to read that at the Lions year ... end of February, 639 of our 1224 Imagine what an clubs had added outcome it would at least one new member this be if all clubs Lions year, that is added one new just over half the member clubs. Imagine what an outcome it would be if all clubs added one new member . Our International President Bob Corlew has highlighted that for every new Lion, 70 members of a community can be ser ved. So service is the key. That is something we can be proud of as Lions. Saturday 4th March was identified as a community Lions Awareness Day, where clubs across Australia were encouraged to have a street stall to tell the community about Lions and our centenary and to offer the invitation to ser ve. This was a great opportunity for Lions to engage with the community and I was ver y happy to hear some wonderful stories of engagement and success. As in most things, it just takes a little effort and the results will be achieved. Thanks to the clubs that

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participated and to the District Governor teams that took on the challenge to make it work. If you missed out, make a plan for next year. During this period I attended the Youth Exchange meeting in Brisbane and was pleased with the positive atmosphere of the meeting and the dedication of the various representatives. Lions should be proud of all that is being achieved in this youth area, however it does require you and your clubs to be engaged for the program to work effectively. Hosting is the way to go. Share a couple of youth visitors with members of your club, learn from and enjoy the experience, it really is a lifechanging undertaking. Sign up now. In March I had the opportunity to attend the Queensland State Leo Conference and what an experience that was. I engaged with energetic and focused young people who want to make a difference and have fun, a tiring but exciting weekend. It was great to see. I also jumped across the ditch to visit the NZ District 202J Convention and to engage in a bit of sportsmanship before the rugby season started – I know I will not have any chance then. Suffice to say, they do things differently, however like us in Oz, fun was the main ingredient and another great weekend of friendship was enjoyed. The management team will meet in early April to plan for the final quarter of the year, review the program for Hobart and to prepare for the rest of our centennial celebrations. They are a great team looking after so many aspects of our organisation to ensure our members are supported and our programs developed to meet the needs. Thanks, Team. Remember, whilst it is nice to be busy , it is better to be engaged and involved, because that means you are doing it with others who share your dreams and ambitions. Service to others is the best work in life. Keep well, smile and be happy as We Serve. – Lion Rodd Chignell

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Calling all tree lovers If you think Australia needs greening up , you might want to activate your club’s members to volunteer as site coordinators for Schools Tree Day on Friday 28th July or National Tree Day on Sunday 30th July. Planet Ark’s popular campaign, now in its 22nd year, continues to inspire the hearts and minds of ordinar y people wanting to do extraordinary things. Tree Day engages the community in hands-on fun, positive environmental action, in places where they live, work and play. “Our research also tells us that we are happier , smarter, calmer, and healthier when we connect with nature, ” said Planet Ark’s PR and media manager Carol Warwick. “We are looking for coordinators who can host public planting events at local parks, Landcare or re-generation sites, sports fields, scout halls or an event for their community at a school or pre-school, place of worship or a workplace.” Anyone wishing to register as a site coordinator can visit treeday.planetark.org, call the hotline on 1300 88 5000 or visit their local participating Toyota Dealership.

FLOWER POWER: Leos Jerome and Emelie prepare to deliver roses on Valentine’s Day.

Leos share the love on Valentine’s Day Students at The Cathedral School in Townsville (Q2) certainly felt the lo ve on Valentine’s Day, thanks to members of the school-based Leo c lub. In what is becoming an annual tradition, Leos spent the week leading up to Valentine’s Day taking orders for roses and serenades, then delivered them all on Tuesday 14 February. There was great excitement as students received roses, heart-shaped chocolates or cards from their peers, but it was the lunchtime entertainment that really got the school buzzing. Everyone gathered in the quad to watch as Leos Emelie and Ramona sang love songs while two cupids, Leos Abbie and Chanel, danced around the lucky recipients of the serenades. It was all done in the spirit of friendship and inclusion, with students recognising their teachers and their Year 7 buddies, as well as their special friends. In keeping with the heartshaped Valentine motif, the Leos donated the funds raised to the Heart Foundation.

Lara’s new look for a new centur y Victoria’s V2 Lions Club of Lara is celebrating the Lions International Centenary by relaunching itself into the community with a brand new look for the ne xt century. The club has come up with an exciting new logo to be displayed on clothing, on its caravan, on new signage and in advertising, public relations and correspondence. “It’s out with the old but not forgotten, and in with the new,” said Lara President Jeff Cahn. The club hopes the clean yet striking lines of the logo will portray it as innovative April - May 2017

and progressive. “The members believe the new logo will assist in the way we interact with the community as a vibrant and active club that is proactive as well as being re-active to situations that require our assistance,” said Jeff Cahn. Along with the Lions logo itself, the traditional Lions colours of blue and gold are used with a silhouette of the You Yangs, a familiar mountain range near Lara, being reversed out of a gold semi-circle. 15

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LCIF

Lions Youth Exchange program must renew to remain relevant

Microfinance loans provide an option for women to break the cycle of poverty and support their families.

Reaching across borders to fight poverty Although India has one of the f astest growing economies in the world, an estimated 50 percent of Indians lack proper shelter. An overwhelming majority of the population does not have access to adequate sanitation or secondar y education. Lions in Ireland are teaming up with Lions in India to help the poor in rural areas to help themselves. Lions of District 106 I in Ireland are partnering with the Arni Silk City Lions of District 324 A4 in India to help women break the cycle of poverty. Together they received a US$50,000 Core 4 grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to fund a microenterprise program for single and widowed mothers. LCIF believes that microenterprise boosts the economic wellbeing for those who live at or below the poverty level and have limited skills and capital but who aspire to improve their situation. The Lions are working with Nandri, a nonprofit in Ireland, and Child Aid Trust (CAT) in India to provide microenterprise loans to single and widowed mothers. Most of the women who participate in CA T programs are illiterate and support their families through menial labor . They are part of the Dalit caste, the lowest social class in India. The women are denied access to traditional credit or loan options. The women are given a loan of Rs. 25,000 (approximately Aust. $482), which they repay at a one percent interest rate for 25 months. Some women use their loans to purchase a cow whose milk they can sell on an ongoing basis. Some choose to purchase sewing machines so they can find consistent work as seamstresses. Others open small shops to sell snacks and cold drinks in their communities. All of these options allow the women to be more independent and to feed and educate themselves and their children. Lions are involved in ever y step of the process, from reviewing loan applications to distributing cheques. Lions from both countries ser ve on an advisory committee, providing financial oversight, organising public awareness events and even training beneficiaries on budgeting. Lourdu Mary, a destitute widow in the village of Moranam, received a microenterprise loan. She lives with her two children in a small hut without electricity or proper sanitation and works as a daily labourer in a field. She used her loan to purchase a cow . Selling the cow’s milk for food and dung for fuel is helping her meet her family’ s basic needs every day. Since piloting microenterprise grants in 2014, LCIF has funded six projects in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Ireland and Kenya, totalling US$475,000. More than 1,200 loans have been issued. For information on LCIF’s microenterprise grant program, visit lcif.org. 16 166

The Lions Youth Exchange program has enabled thousands of young Australians to travel overseas and experience foreign cultures while staying with host families. It also allows us as Lions to welcome young people from overseas to our countr y and share our homes and relaxed lifestyle with them. In global uncertainty and rising extremism, youth exchange is even more worthwhile, embraced by Lions to promote tolerance and understanding among all people and inspire and educate our young. Young Australians are not only great ambassadors for us, they return home better people, more confident and mature and often with a life-long thirst for travel. The young people visiting Australia have similar life-changing experiences, making life-long friends with our host families and each other . They are also great ambassadors for Australia. Consider the Italian city kid covered in dust, working with poddy calves on an outback property. He couldn’t have been happier! Or the Malaysian girl shopping and catching a train by herself for the first time, swimming at a deserted beach and eating Tim Tams. She wants to study here now . All good news, but the Youth Exchange program requires renewal and greater financial security. The numbers of overseas participants are stable, but young Australians travelling overseas on exchange have crashed from over 500 at its peak

YOUTH EXCHANGE: Isabella from Brazil meets a dinkum Aussie. to only 37 in 2016. There is greater competition from schools and other bodies offering overseas travel, study and exchange but it’s clear our programs require more oxygen. And running the Youth Exchange program in Australia for overseas visitors is expensive, logistically challenging and running on a deficit. MD Council, chaired by PDG Rodd Chignell, has adopted findings of a white paper prepared by the Youth Exchange sub-committee offering a forward strategy. It will be considered further by National Convention in Hobart. There is a suite of measures aimed at boosting outbound Australians; improving the experience for overseas visitors; cutting costs of the youth camps and improving training of Lions who organise visits. Youth Exchange is more than providing free holidays for already privileged young people. It’s about opening the world to kids, many from humble backgrounds, who often scrimp and save and fundraise to be selected and sponsored by their Lions clubs. Lion Tony Reading, National Chairman Youth Camps & Exchange, MD201 – Australia Lion

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HOME BY A SNOUT! There were pigs and people aplenty when NSW c lub Tathra held its third annual pig racing event earlier this year . The club’s most successful so far, it attracted visitors from near and far and even included a dog high jumping event. Held at the Tathra Beach Country Club, it was run by Kevin Kiley of Noah’s Thoroughbred Racing Pigs who has raised well in excess of $1 million for charities over the last 16 years. Kevin, who runs events from Cairns to Hobart, told the local Bega District News that about 80% of those who attended had never before been to pig racing. Said Tathra President Anthony Dack: “It takes a lot of organising and coordination and would not be possible without every member of our club and their partners. We also got help from members of the public and other clubs. “We invited the Bermagui Lions Club and they sold more donuts than ever before.”

Be the local community hero

Many non-profit organisations would lo ve to organise movie nights for their community, to entertain, to bring people together, to educate, or to fundraise. Unfortunately, many have limited funds, and that’s where Lions clubs come to the rescue. Why not purchase a small outdoor cinema package (for 150-500 viewers) and loan it to your local charities and other non-profit organisations? You could also use it at your club – at youth camps, Christmas parties, for presentations, fundraising and for entertainment. Many service organisations support local communities and bring joy with outdoor cinema. Robyn Bryant, the secretary of Dalwallinu Lions Club, shares her experience in using inflatable cinema packages from Smart Digital: “We use it a lot, and give it to other organisations. It is a fantastic product, we love it. Set up is ver y easy, audio is good, and so is image quality. We gave it to the local agricultural society show, to the local racing club – they were showing films of racing events – and to the local footy club, to name a few.” Apart from watching movies, the portable cinema can be used to watch live sports events (popular with sports clubs) and for gaming (great idea for youth programs). All in all, outdoor cinema is a truly visible gift to your community. For more information, visit www.smartdigital.com.au April - May 2017

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Dancing to the tune of $15,000 When South Australia’s Glenside Lions visited the Restless Dance Theatre earlier this year they brought with them a much welcomed surprise. They presented a $15,000 cheque for a portable rostra seating platform to be used at the Adelaide facility. The studio provides opportunities for young people with disabilities to participate in high level dance performances. Previously when Restless held performances at the studio, they needed to hire a rostra to provide suitable viewing for the audience. Glenside Lions Vice President Ian Digby and Lion Paul Turner presented the cheque to the theatre’s business development manager Belinda Hellyer (see picture above). In turn, Belinda and the company’s manager treated Lions to a tour of the facility .

PEDAL POWER: Victoria’s Torquay Lions

recently swapped Lions shirts for hi-viz safety jackets to marshal traffic during the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race near Geelong . Peter McMahon (left) and Harvey Price prepare to stop traffic as the cyclists approach.

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MD201 CONVENTION: 5 May to 8 May 2017

The Three Capes Track

Tasmania is like nowhere else on the planet. It’s a place where Tasmanian devils roam, where paddock-to-plate means heirloom tomatoes foraged that morning and where over 1,000 peaks beg to be c limbed. In Tasmania, everything’s close. Cruise a remote South West harbour by day and be sipping local pinot in the vibrant capital come nightfall. Expect the exceptional.  THREE CAPES TRACK This track is worldclass and mud-free, leaving the dolerite cliffs and sweeping Southern Ocean views with your full attention. The four-day trek begins with a Pennicott boat trip from Port Arthur Historic Site and the huts are designed with comfort and Tasman Peninsula views in mind. Forty-six kilometres, so spectacular.  DISTILLERIES, VINEYARDS & CIDERIES Like your Tasmanian whisky? Highland distilleries await you. Curious about the Apple Isle’s rosy reds transformation into moreish cider? Head for The Apple Shed. Like your Tasmanian wine served with Pacific oysters? Bangor Oyster & Wine Shed en route to Port Arthur Historic Site is calling. There are some 20 distilleries now across the island, including newbie Nonesuch Distillery near Sorell. Or enjoy Bill Lark’s best on the waterfront, Nant Whisky’s Salamanca bar, Captain Bligh in town and Shambles Brewery in Elizabeth Street.  GIN MAKING Ever wanted to make your own gin? At Bill McHenry’s distillery on the Tasman Peninsula you can using water from his on-site spring. With Bespoke Tasmania Tours, whip up your own mix of Tasmanian botanicals, then bottle and label your very own spirit. Outdoor lunch up in the hills, complete with a McHenry-poured cocktail is all part of this day out. April - May 2017

 GREAT EASTERN DRIVE This is the stuff of car commercials – azure water hugging tarmac bends and a ribbon of white sandy bays into the distance. There’s oysters and wildlife and vineyards and berries and blow holes and more, plus the new Devil’s Corner with woodfired pizza and fresh seafood!  TEE OFF AT KING ISLAND There are two very fancy golf courses (Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes) so head over. Along with world-class golf, there’s surfing, King Island cheese, exploring and more.  KAYAKING Eat fresh fish and chips from the deck of a kayak in the heart of a capital city. With Hobart Paddle, enjoy a twilight paddle. Roaring Forties run a host of kayaking trips including Hobart’s Beaches, Cliffs and Caves and multi-day adventures to the South West.  TAMAR VALLEY WINE ROUTE More than 30 wineries dot the cool-climate valley , from Pipers River to Relbia. Plan your day around a favourite whether the Leaning Church Vineyard with its tilted dwelling, the famous bubbles of Jansz Tasmania or a long lunch beneath the trees of Josef Chromy. There’s always Relbia Lodge directly next door so you can wake up and do it all again the next day.  SOUTH WEST WANDERING It’s a wild place that South West Tasmania! Untamed. But Par adds a touch of luxur y with its South West Wilderness Camp. Spend two nights sleeping near the shores of Bathurst Harbour, waking to freshly cooked breakfast and being ferried by private boat to secret coves and walking trails. Feel like an early explorer atop peaks that have stood unchanged for millennia. A once in your life experience.

 CRADLE TO COAST TREATS Kentish ale, wasabi cheese, Belgian truffles, selfbottled whisky … be tempted on this mountain-tobeach feasting trail. And remember – it’s okay to eat choc-dipped raspberries for breakfast. Just ask Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm.  TWO WHEELED FUN Mountain-bike fever is sweeping through Tasmania like a madman on his first downhill descent. Hollybank and Blue Derby are the latest additions to a new range of parks and trails not far from Launceston Airport. Whatever your riding level, ride through Tasmania’s forests on breathtaking descent trails or cruise custombuilt tracks. Or grab a free Artbike or a Mona bike and explore Hobart city at a slower pace.  FEAST HOBART-STYLE New restaurants and watering holes are all over the city. Aloft Restaurant and The Glass House bring a new sophistication to the waterfront, Urban Greek fills big shoes in the former Garagistes space and further up on Elizabeth Street is The Shambles Brewery. Then there’s Pancho Villa, Frank, Templo, Franklin, the list goes on. For a six-course gourmet breakfast including Lark whisky, go for a progressive walking feast with Gourmania.  FLY HIGH OVER THE TARKINE WILDERNESS Chopper high above ancient tracts of rainforest, some of the largest on the planet. Fly the length of sweeping, empty coastlines and over sandy dunes. Flights range from 30 to 90 minutes.  CANYONING AT CRADLE Head to the alpine reaches of Cradle Mountain and climb into a wetsuit. Cradle Mountain Canyons run trips where you jump, swim and abseil through ancient canyons. Suitable for all abilities and those as young as eight

MORE DETAILS: www.discovertasmania.com.au 19

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LCIF ANNUAL REPORT

LCIF is invested in humanity The Foundation plans to raise $50 million annually in the fight against measles and other challenges facing the world LCIF is raising the stakes. And we’re doing it at a time when the need couldn’t be greater . For nearly 50 years, the Foundation has supported the life-changing work of Lions, serving some of the most vulnerable people and the neediest places on earth. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2018, we have set a goal of raising $50 million a year. We know the goal is challenging, but it will position Lions for even greater impact in our communities, and our world. We can fund more vision screenings and clean water systems, build more clinics and rebuild more communities when disaster strikes. We can do more in the fight against measles, a preventable disease that Together with our partners, we takes the lives of 300 children a day. That’s have prevented millions of why the Foundation is measles deaths mobilising Lions and – Joe Preston, 2015-16 LCIF Chairperson working with global partners like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UK’s Department for International Development and the Gates Foundation to end the epidemic. With an estimated 17.1 million deaths prevented from 2000 to 2014, we know Lions are making a real difference. The Foundation wants to do more because global needs are growing. In 2015-16, LCIF raised $39.5 million, but awarded $45 million in grants. And Lions are launching a new global ser vice framework that will require the Foundation’s support. It will take increased funding to keep pace with the growing demand for ser vice. Through the support of Lions, LCIF can reach its $50 million goal and bring more hope to the world. Keep reading to find out how we’re already doing just that.

We’re proving kindness matters

LCIF is helping more people than ever before HUMANITARIAN RELIEF Hour after hour Mary Ndundo (pictured above), a middle-aged seamstress, bends over her sewing machine in Nairobi. She lives and works in Kibera, Kenya’s notorious slum. Since she received a small loan thanks to LCIF and Lions, her business has taken off. She is

sewing batches of tracksuits and sweaters for schoolchildren, and her landlord has expanded her shop. Ndundo is one of many women now better able to provide for their struggling families because of an LCIF microenterprise project. Small loans enable the women to purchase supplies and equipment to start or expand businesses. The Lions of District 411 A in Kenya, in partnership with ASA Kenya, are empowering the poor to take control of their own destiny .

NURTURING YOUTH “OK, all of you are going to the principal’ s office.” That’s what Leah Roberts told her seventh-grade writing class. But the students were sent out of the room not for misbehaving but to receive praise for commendable conduct. A shy student, reluctant to share his writing, had been encouraged by classmates, who chanted his name. After

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Roberts read aloud what he wrote, there was “not a single snicker – only praise”. That kind of positive behaviour has been part of the classrooms at Wayside Middle School (see photo below left) near Fort Worth in Texas since it implemented Lions Quest, LCIF’s social and emotional learning program. Roberts credits Lions Quest with increasing her students’ enthusiasm, integrity, citizenship and compassion. Lions Quest was adopted by the Eagle Mountain Saginaw Independent School District in Fort Worth thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Nova Foundation. Lions Quest has trained more than 600,000 educators reaching more than 14 million students in nearly 100 countries.

SAVING SIGHT PROVIDING DISASTER RELIEF

In El Salvador, an impoverished nation terrorised by violent gangs, parents whose children have vision problems often have nowhere to turn. Health care resources are poor or non-existent. The Benjamin Bloom National Children’s Hospital in San Salvador is the nation’ s sole public hospital dedicated to children. But thanks to LCIF and Lions, children in El Salvador are finally getting their vision corrected (see photo above). The Lions of District D2 in El Salvador received a SightFirst grant for US$53,601 to expand the National Program for Pediatric Low Vision at Benjamin Bloom. The grant facilitated infrastructure upgrades and human resource training for 28 eye-care professionals. Through LCIF, Lions save sight in El Salvador and around the world. Tourism Tasmania/Richard Eastwood

Typhoon Soudelor devastated the Western Pacific region and claimed dozens of lives in the summer of 2015. Monsoon rains, high winds, flooding and landslides left millions of families without water, electricity or shelter. LCIF responded immediately with a US$10,000 Emergency grant, awarded to the Lions of District 204 Micronesia for relief efforts in Saipan (see photo above). A US$200,000 Major Catastrophe grant was awarded to Multiple District 300 Taiwan to assist with both immediate needs and long-term reconstruction. The LCIF Emergency Grant program provides financial support to Lions and other partners engaged in disaster response and recovery efforts. When a disaster strikes and makes the news, Lions want to help. LCIF gives them that opportunity. “When I see someone that’s been devastated, I just ache for them. And I want to do as much as I possibly can for them,” says donor Lion Terri Oster of the West Hempstead Lions Club in New York.

And we’re doing even more. Read more life-changing stories at LCIF.org. And turn the page to read of LCIF’s $50 million goal. Tourism Tasmania/Sean Fennessy

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LCIF ANNUAL REPORT

Hope is within our reach

It starts with achieving our $50 million goal Each person and family in need motivates us to keep pushing forward toward our goals. And each act of kindness and ever y dollar matters when we’re investing in hope. Because it isn’t always easy to come by when people are struggling. But through the efforts of Lions and LCIF, hope can be restored. The numbers prove it. In 2015-16, the Foundation impacted the lives of more than 44 million people, undertaking large-scale projects that lead to healthier communities, brighter futures, and lasting hope. Each of those 44 million is a real life like Mar y Ndundo, whose life was improved thanks to an LCIF microenterprise project. That’s why LCIF matters. What’s more, LCIF LCIF could not accomplish any of is truly your these feats without the Foundation. Every commitment of Lions around the dollar flows back world. Give careful consideration into our to how you and your club will communities continue to make dreams come through the effort of true in the future. Lions. And each – Joe Preston, 2015-16 LCIF Chairperson dollar is spent where it will have the most impact and managed with full transparency. Not surprisingly, our Foundation has received a four-star rating – the highest awarded – from Charity Navigator for six consecutive years. It’s true, raising $50 million a year is ambitious, especially in an age when engagement in volunteer organisations is declining. That’s $10 million more than the Foundation raised in 2015-2016. Achieving that goal will require renewed commitment, compassion and exceptional generosity. But most of all, it will take all of us – all 1.4 million Lions – joining together, ever mindful of the lives we change through service, never forgetting the joy that comes from

LCIF is the story of hope.

A mother waits with her child for a vital measles-rubella v accination.

helping others and the smiles that greet us. If every Lion gave $10 to the Foundation, we wouldn’t just meet our new fundraising goal, we would far exceed it. With LCIF supporting the work of Lions, and Lions supporting LCIF, there’s really no limit to how much hope we can restore to the world.

Every $10 matters We can vaccinate 10 children or feed a family after a natural disaster. So give today! LCIF.org/donate Read the full letter and annual report at LCIF.org/AnnualReport

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Sharing the mail on a good idea When members of Victoria’s Torquay Lions Club saw the brightly coloured letter boxes produced by clients in the metal workshop of the local Foundation 61 drug and alcohol rehab centre, they knew they were too good to remain a secret. So the club is promoting them from their BBQ trailer during local market days. “Although the Torquay Lions have committed $50,000 over the next five years to provide accommodation for residents at Foundation 61, we thought helping them with letter box sales would be a small extra we could do for them, ” said Vice President Patricia Blane. Foundation 61 aims to empower people who are confronting life

controlling issues so they can restore control in their lives and contribute positively to mainstream society. “Metal-working and wood-working are two of the ways we help our clients learn activities which could be of value to them as they get their lives on track, ” said Foundation 61 Program Director Rob Lytzki. “We provide a range of programs including a Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Program, a Transition House, a Women’s Program, and Community Support. Foundation, a charitable organisation, provides a live-in community at Mount Duneed, offering hope and direction for people who have drifted from mainstream society, but not exclusively, because of the use of drugs and alcohol.

Foundation 61’s Rob Lytzki (left) shows Torquay Lions President Brian Keane some of the metal letterboxes manufactur ed by people being rehabilitated from drug or alcohol addictions. The Lions have committed to maintaining two bedrooms at the Mt Duneed centr e for the next five years.

A nifty fundraising idea pays off for prostate cancer research When Baska Desha joined the Lions Club of MacGregor, he wanted to give back to his local community. Now, several years later, his impact is being felt much further afield. In 2016, after losing a close friend to prostate cancer and having another recently diagnosed, Baska decided he wanted to find a way to bring awareness to the disease. “I’ve supported breast cancer in the past, but I wanted to support this cause that was now close to my heart – and I remember John Grimstone (Project Chair for Lions Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment project) talking about prostate cancer research at Mater and I thought OK, I’d like to

April - May 2017

support that,” Baska recalls. “More men die of prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer, and I think we need to change that.” Baska was still brainstorming fundraising ideas when his wife took him to a concert featuring folksinging group Cloudstreet – and he enjoyed it so much he held a $40-a-head fundraising concert and dinner. Local businesses supplied prizes, including weekends away to the Sunshine Coast and a trip to Auckland courtesy of Dreammaker Travel. “Other Lions club members also helped with prizes. I think we ended up with about 25-30 prizes to raffle off on the night!” Hoping to have 150 people attend, he had a sell-out with some needing to be turned away as the venue was at capacity! In that one evening Baska raised $7200 for the Lions Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment Project, which supports prostate cancer research at Mater.

THE FACTS: PROSTATE CANCER

In Australia today, nine men will die from prostate cancer. Even more heartbreaking, one in ever y six men is predicted to develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. At Mater, we believe that ever y man diagnosed with prostate cancer deser ves a better future. And just like Baska and the Lions Club of MacGregor, you can help change the lives of these men by raising funds for prostate cancer research. Mater’s world-class research institute – Mater Research – delivers medical and clinical research that aims to translate their findings from ‘bench to bedside’ as quickly as possible; directly benefiting patients at Mater , across Australia and around the world. Right now, a number of promising and worldleading prostate cancer research projects are underway, including the development of a vaccine for prostate cancer. Associate Professor Kristen Radford and her team have come a long way in developing a therapeutic vaccine which would enable a person’ s immune system to kill cancer cells and eliminate them from the body . If successful, we could see the development of a ‘next generation’ therapeutic vaccination which would offer a practical, and more affordable, treatment approach for use in men with prostate cancer. For almost two decades, Mater’s researchers have been working around-the-clock to improve diagnostics and treatment for a range of cancers including prostate – but there’s still so much to do. For more information, visit materfoundation.org.au. 23

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TEA ANYONE?: There was fine china aplenty when C1’s Lions Club of Tea Tree Gully, in conjunction with the local council, held its annual art show. All items, including 170 paintings, were produced by local artists.

DROP-IN HELP: When visiting pretty Lake Cathie in NSW, Lionsonoz member PDG Warren White helped out Lake Cathie Bonny Hills President John Hayes and his wife Lion Sand y on barbie duties, to raise funds to build a skateboar d rink. With them is a satisfied customer.

LIONS OUT AND ABOUT

CAKES & COOKIES: There were lots of goodies on offer when Sydney’ s Mareeba Lionesses

held a successful Teal Ribbon cake stall to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Australia. The final tally from the event was $1500.

STRIKING: Torquay (Vic) Lion Bob Tyler of the Surf Coast Relay for Life Committee was a vision in purple and y ellow before walking his laps. The committee raised $68,500-plus for the Cancer Council. 24

ON SHOW: To celebrate the start of the Lions Centennial y ear, South Australia’s Yankalilla Lions constructed this blue and gold float complete with birthday cak e and candles. It was part of a parade through the streets of Normanville

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TOP UP TIME: Sydney’s Kings Langley Lions raised $1000 at the local shopping

STEPPING UP: It’s Youth of the Year season and Natasha Pedersoli and Lac hlan

centre to assist victims of the r ecent Hunter Valley bushfires, then promptly donated another $1000 to the Queanbeyan bushfir es victims.

Falzon were delighted to be named o verall winner and public speaking winner respectively at the Sunbury Hume club’s event in V1-4.

LIQUID ASSET: Bellarine Peninsula Lions and Barwon Water and Geelong City Council representatives open a new drinking/rest stop provided by the clubs on the Bellarine Rail Trail, which links Geelong with the historic port of Queenscliff .

HAPPY BAND: There were smiles all round when (from left) Oliver Friendship

WHEN YOU’RE HAPPY SHOW IT: Meet a happy Lions in service. Fran Bellati was in celebration mode to support the Centenar y float created by Yankalilla Lions (see other picture at left). April - May 2017

(overall winner), Hannah Hewitt, James Clare and Mary Gleeson took part in the Tewantin Noosa club’s Youth of the Year final.

HIGH ACHIEVERS: After donating $24,000 to local causes in the past y ear, it

was no surprise that Victoria’s Kiewa-Tangambalanga Lions were presented with the Community Organisation of the Year Award by the local Indigo Shire.

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Happy association brings $20,000 bonanza for childhood cancer research

Marcia Wells with awards chairman, Peel Valley Lion Terry Hill.

Marcia takes off country charity award Country broadcaster Marcia Wells from Wauchope NSW is the 2017 Peel Valley Lions’ Country Music Charity award winner. She was presented with the annual award, first handed out in 1994, during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The award is for significant contribution to the community by way of fundraising, helping others and through a connection with Australian country music. Marcia has been a broadcaster with Community Radio 2W ayFM for more than 40 years and, through the station, has been part of a team that has raised well over $130,000 for charities and organisations. Most recently she organised a concert to help raise funds for a bust of singer Chad Morgan to be erected in Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park. Like many of the previous Peel Valley Lions Club Country Music Charity Award recipients, Marcia is a quiet achiever, going about her fundraising and charitable work with a humble attitude that belies the hard work behind it. Marcia was presented with the traditional Fred Hillier ‘outdoor dunny’ sculpture and a donation of $500 in her name to her local Riding for the Disabled live on air. She was nominated by the Lions Club of Wauchope.

The Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation (ALCCRF) is $20,000 better off thanks to the Lions Club of Jer vis Bay Inc. and its association with a local amusement compan y. The company, Joylands Amusements, has long staged a large carnival in Huskisson at Christmas and for one matinee performance each year it allows the club to run the ticket booth and to take the proceeds. The happy arrangement was established by the “grandfather” of Joylands Amusements, George Melonas, a former Jervis Bay Lion, and his late wife Joy. “Even though George is ‘sort of’ retired now and the running of Joylands has been handed over to his grandson, Greg, you can usually see George around the carnival and he is always up for a chat while at the same time keeping a watchful and grandfatherly eye on all the proceedings, ” said Jervis Bay publicity officer Jeff Thomas. “George has always had a passion for the plight of children and in particular in their fight against cancer and has made many generous contributions to our funds over the years.” The donation was made up of money collected from the club’ s association with George and Joylands over the past 12 months. “This is one of the larger donations to ALCCRF by an individual Lions club and hence we are immensely proud of our efforts and thankful for our continued association with Joylands Amusements and in particular with George Melonas,” said Jeff Thomas. HANDOVER: George Melonas (right) presents the $20,000 cheque to Lions District ALCCRF Chairman Ken McLeish.

Correct sail In the last issue of the LION in the stor y “Centennial 2017 Sets Sail”, there is an inference that Lion Jim Williams might have instigated the entire Sailability program. In fact Jim, a Lion for 57 years and a life member for 25 years, instigated the Sailability project in Toronto. 26

FACING UP TO IT Victoria’s Bendigo Lions Bec Day and Mar y Thomas happily undergo some face painting at a r ecent fundraiser Celebration Day for Emily, daughter of local couple Natalie O'Neill and Luk e Simons, who has bone cancer. The event was arranged by Bec, Chairperson of the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation and Bendigo President.

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$10,000 for childcare centre It might have seemed just a fun way to spend a day, yet the annual golf day of V ictoria’s Lara club raised $10,000 and pro vided the Lara Community Centre's Occasional Child Care program with updated educational teaching aids for children up to 5. The program’s staff are dedicated to providing children with a supportive, caring, stimulating and educational environment.

yoursay Lions’ letters

Facebook page for past and present As your Community Engagement Officer I have set up a Facebook page named “Roar” for all Lions, LEOs both past and present as well as anyone who has had an ything to do with Lions at any time in their life. The page was created for anyone who has been involved in any of the Australian Lions youth projects including, but not restricted to, Youth of the Year, Youth Exchange and LEOs. As well as anyone who is or has been involved with Lions Clubs International. It is to give our youth and both past and present Lions members a chance to keep in touch with our Lions family and hopefully become inspired to join or re-join a Lions club some time in the future. I invite all current members to follow and share the page among your friends and fellow members and post inspiring stories about all of the fabulous work that we do in our local communities each and ever y day. To find the page, type the following address into your browser: www.facebook.com/groups/1839956549619365/ PDG Dale “Toby” Crawford MD Community Engagement Officer April - May 2017

Joe Camilleri blasts to the tune of $8000 Australian music icon Joe Camilleri and his Black Sorrows headlined a festiv al of 30 bands that drew $8000 to raise a wareness of mental health problems in young people and to help in suicide prevention. The festival, the Mane Event, was organised by Victoria’s Lions Club of Leopold. It’s the third year the club has supported the festival, which has quickly become a popular annual event. Proceeds went to Headspace Geelong that ser ves the needs of young people with mental health problems through Western Victoria. The $8000 was presented to the CEO of Headspace, Malcolm Scott, by PCC Bob Gilchrist and the festival founders Jon Gilchrist, Mick Ryan and Tristan Gall (see picture below). Leopold Lions ran a barbecue to add to the donation.

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INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

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Hahndorf Lions can’t be accused of missing the bus South Australia’s Hahndorf Lions recently joined with others in the community to acquire and outfit a bus as an outside broadcast unit for the local 88.9FM community radio station based in Mt. Barker. The vehicle, a secondhand Toyota 25, was given at a discount price to the station by local bus company Lofty Coaches but needed an estimated $44,000 to bring it up to standard for broadcasting purposes.

Hahndorf Lions have a close affinity with the fledgling radio station, having given it $1000 three years ago to help with start-up costs, in return for a halfhour session on a Thursday morning each fortnight to talk about Lionism and more particularly zone clubs. Much of the money was raised by the Hahndorf, Mt Barker and other Zone 5 clubs, supplemented by a contribution from the Australian Lions Foundation. At a function earlier this year, the club’s President Jenn Hodgson, widow of the late Lion and the former Hahndorf Zone 5 Chairman Roy Hodgson, presented a cheque for $20,000 to the station general manager Chris Carpenter.

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LEOS IN ACTION New WA club hits the ground running Waroona Leo Club (W2) is still in its first year of operation, but its members are certainly making a mark in their local community, a small town just over 100km south west of Perth. Their first BBQ project was cooking for NAIDOC Day last July, and they have honed their skills on several more events since then. The Leos have been involved in Community Task Force jobs such as helping to clean up the Senior Citizens Kitchen, St Vinnie’s Storage Shed, the Girl Guides Hall and Forest Edge Recreation Camp. They also collect newspapers for recycling (pictured below), earning $150 a ton when they have gathered enough. Recently Waroona Leos hosted their first stand-alone event – The Amazing Race. Twenty-four teams entered in their cars to follow directions on a course, completing tasks

along the way and collecting items on a scavenger hunt. Leo Zach Faulkner waved everybody off with a special chequered flag in the Leos colours of blue and gold. At least one member of each car crew had to be dressed as a Disney character and it was really impressive to see the efforts that had been made by so many members of the local community (see picture below). Costumes varied from Snow White to Captain Jack

Sparrow to Woody and Buzz from Toy Story, but the most popular characters were Minnie Mouse, including one whole family dressed as her and Peter Pan, who was also represented by a whole team called the Pan Clan. Twenty members of the Waroona Leo club ran the day, either by doing a morning shift at the cricket ground registering the contestants or adding up score sheets, adjudicating and awarding prizes at the finish at Drakesbrook Weir, or in many cases doing both. It took a long time to organise this event and the sub-committee, led by Project Leader Xaviar Deleo, did a fantastic job. Leo Fedele Franco single-handedly worked out the route, clues, questions and answers, scoring and scavenger hunt sheet. A truly fantastic job!

Recognising Excellence Congratulations to Leo Katherina Blekic (Sunraysia Leos, C2) who has received an International Leo of the Year Award. Following her success in the national Leo of the Year competition in 2015, she was nominated by MD201 for the international award. She is one of 40 Leos world-wide to be selected by LCI to be recognised for excellence in Leo service, leadership and development.

Congratulations also to Leo Selina Tsang (Marian Leos, V2) who received the Young Citizen of the Year Award on Australia Day from Brimbank City Council for her outstanding service to the community. In addition to a very successful year of fundraising by the Leo Club, Selina has volunteered at St Vinnies Op Shop in Sunshine, visited the Woornack Nursing Home to give out Christmas presents and volunteered at the Leos Community Basketball Tournament. Selina also represented the community of Brimbank while on a ser vice trip to Vietnam that involved building houses within a village community.

Time to think ahead This is the time of the year to start thinking about who might deserve recognition at handover functions in June/July. A Leo Award of Honour can be presented to a Leo who has made an outstanding contribution to their club or community during the year. This medallion and ribbon can be purchased from the Lions Australia Shop for $40. A Graham Pearce Award can be presented to any Lion, Lioness, Leo Advisor or Leo in recognition of outstanding service to the Leo club program. The award costs $500 and funds contribute to the MD201 Leo Development Fund. This prestigious plaque can be ordered from the MD Leo Chairman – further details and an application form can be found on the Leo page of the MD201 website.

Leo Club Awareness Month April is on the Lions International calendar as Leo Club Awareness month. This is an opportunity for Leos and Lions to raise awareness about the importance of engaging young people in the community through the Leo Club Program. What will your club do? Leos and Lions – ser ving together! Toni Lanphier MD201 Leo Committee Chair Lion

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YOUTH OF THE YEAR By the time you read this, the National Final for the current year will be imminent. We will have had about 2000 young Australians participate this year. Whilst just six will progress to the National Final, all participants will have gained immeasurable benefits and experiences from their participation. After attending the Lions International Youth Camp at Rotorua, last year’s state winners travelled to Perth as guests of the Lions Club of Fremantle. They were shown the sights of Perth and Fremantle and travelled to Busselton where we were hosted for lunch by the Busselton club. After a swim at Australia’s longest jetty, it was off to Capel, where we were hosted by Riley Faulds’ grandparents. In Perth and Fremantle the group visited the Perth Mint, the Lions Eye Institute, the Ear Science Institute of Australia, Hillarys Boat Harbour, WA Maritime Museum and Kings Park. The group also attended receptions by our sponsor NAB and the City of Fremantle. An interesting cricket match was played by our national finalists with a group of disabled people at Point Peron. (One of the group, a third grade cricketer, was dismissed for a duck in his innings). The National YOTY sub-Committee’s appreciation is extended to the Lions Club of Fremantle and in particular Lion Margaret Amm. The YOTY Facebook page is active once again and is the best way to keep abreast of YOTY news and events. Brian Williams, Chairman Lions Youth of the Year Program

NATIONAL FINALISTS ON TOUR: Their

travels included (from top right, clockwise) a NAB reception, a meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Fremantle Cr. David Coggin, a catchup between Riley Faulds and Inter national President Bob Corlew who was visiting Perth, an icecream break at Gnomesville near Dardanup, and a visit to the Lions Hearing Foundation’s mobile screening unit at the Ear Science Institute.

April - May 2017

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