LionsConnect District 201V1-4 Newsletter

November 2013 - PO Box 615, Buninyong, Vic 3357, (District Governor Stan Falloon)

GREETINGS to you all from DISTRICT GOVERNOR STAN and LION ROBYN

“FOLLOW YOUR DREAM”

In Hamburg, International President Barry Palmer OAM presented his global team of District Governors with a ‘Dream’ book.

Robyn and I love leafing through this little gem to strengthen our own personal dreams and to be inspired by the wisdom and inspiration held within its pages.

However, with the club visitation schedule and many other tasks and Pictured at the District Convention with DG Stan is Past responsibilities, this little book had International Director Ed McCormick worked its way to the bottom of my brief case and has today been rediscovered! Great ships look so impressive and are also safe in the harbour – but they are made for the turbulence I would love to share with you a few of the oceans. Catch the trade winds in your sails. simple messages from this Explore your dream and discover…..” book………….. “BREAK your dream down to small bite size “We have the power to shrink our chunks and then dreams to fit reality, or the power to KEEP - DOING - ONE – THING – AT – A - TIME. stretch our reality to fit our dreams.” It’s like eating a paddock full of potatoes – ONE BITE at a time!” “Each lost opportunity is gone forever. Five years from now you will Great things don’t happen without a dream. I be more disappointed by the things encourage you to invite your members to throw you didn’t do - than by the things that their wildest dreams on the table at your next club you did do. Be courageous and act on meeting – even ideas that may seem impossible! your dreams.” With a plan, your best Dream Team on the job, and the wealth of Lions resources at our fingertips, “Move beyond your comfort zone. anything is possible. Give it a go! Continued on Page 6...... Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 1 of 12 HOPETOUN LIONESS CLUB 30th CHARTER ANNIVERSARY

A great evening was enjoyed by Past Charter members, Lionesses, Family and friends at the 30th Charter Anniversary. Left to right-President Val, Sponsor Ann, new member Tyneka Brymer, District Lioness Chairman Mary Jolly, sponsor Vice President Coral and new member Lynne Campbell.

GREENSBOROUGH BBQ

The Greensborough Club has been very busy over the last few months with Daffodil Day and two Barbecues.

The first Barbecue was for Prostate Cancer outside the Greensborough Commonwealth Bank, this was very successful .

The second was to help celebrate the first birthday of ‘the Water Marc’ in Greensborough (a new aquatic centre).

The Club sold out of sausages and had many inquiries for new membership.

The picture shows Maureen Weekes in front of a very tall life saver. Maureen’s partner, Bob Weekes (Deceased), was a founding member of the Greensborough Lions Club.

Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 2 of 12 HERO: Robert Thompson, winner of the University of Ballarat Volunteer Hero Award.

Sebastopol Lion Rob Thompson cannot imagine a life without volunteering.

So to receive the award is the perfect recognition for a life of service. At the age of 22, Mr Thompson was honoured with the university’s top award for volunteers.

He was among a handful of students to receive the awards, but clearly stood out as the one with the most service. A key requirement for the award was to clock up 100 hours of service throughout the year – a walk in the park for Mr Thompson. He estimated he had clocked up at least 250 hours over the year.

“I just love doing it really, that’s the reason I do it,” Mr Thompson said. “I don’t really like going to nightclubs. I suppose this is sort of my nightclub.”

Originally from Maldon before moving to Sebastopol for university, the Bachelor of Commerce student has immersed himself in volunteer life in Ballarat. He is on the student senate, is starting a business student society and mentors at the business school.

It doesn’t stop at the University of Ballarat, however. He is also a volunteer CFA firefighter and Lions Club member at Sebastopol, as well as being a member of the Maldon Brass Band and Australia Day Committee.

“I think Generation Y people are starting to get more involved in volunteering, which is great,” Mr Thompson said. “A lot of young groups actually love young people’s opinions so it’s great to be involved. You meet some great people.”

Story by: [email protected]

Picture: Kate Healy.

THE QUAHD AWARD

The award this year was presented to the Donald Lions Club. The award is presented each year by Past District Governor Alan Crilly, who is the judge, jury and executioner.

Clubs are encouraged to hold a social night of Quoits, Hookey and Darts. The scoring system by the judge is highly secretive and kept close to his heart.

The award at the convention was reluctantly accepted by Zone Chairman Peter Watts to convey back to the Donald Club. For details contact: [email protected] Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 3 of 12 TAYLORS LAKES LITERACY PROGRAM

The Lions Club of Taylors Lakes has a commitment to promoting the nurturing and development of literacy skills for young people amongst the families of our local area. The Club is approaching organisations to display a brochure holders with free brochures. These are provided by the Club.

It is a big challenge for our society to ensure young people are given the opportunity to become literate members of the community. The program places great emphasis on the role that families play in this important part of any person’s development.

The Club ensures that the display units are kept stocked and aim to renew the brochures over time, to provide families with variety of information relating to the fostering of literacy skills in young people.

The “Read Together” pamphlet will initially be distributed to childcare and infant centres, and libraries, etc, to be accessed by young families. The pamphlet provides tips on reading with school age children and setting up a good reading environment. Further information can be found on the Club’s website at: http://taylorslakes.vic.lions.org.au/Schools%20program or by contacting:

Phil Clinkaberry, 1st Vice President and Literacy Project Coordinator, Lions Club of Taylors Lakes on 9744 6432. (work)

Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 4 of 12 Patricia Wall received a life changing gift yesterday that will make shopping easier or perhaps save her life.

Profoundly deaf, Patricia will rely on her new best mate, Ruby, to assist her at home and in the community.

Listed below for the 2012.2013 year are the Lions Hearing Dogs trainer Mary Knight said Ruby would donations from our District Clubs. These include make Patricia safer and more aware. dog sponsorship and purchase of merchandise.

Lioness Club Ballan $1121 “Patricia contacted the Lions Hearing Dogs in Adelaide for an application and when she went through the official Lions Club Ballan $100 process we contacted South Wagga Lions Club and Lions Club Bendigo $1050 they’re sponsoring Ruby, so they’ll help with the training for the next three months,“ she said. Lions Club Brim $50 Lioness Club Brown Hill and District $200 “She’s (Ruby) been through quite intense training in the last eight months in Adelaide, which includes Lions Club Brunswick $300 (recognising) eight household sounds, but also trips into Lions Club Buninyong Mt Helen $200 the community into shops, restaurants, public transport; basically everywhere the owner could go before.” Lions Club Castlemaine $500 Ruby’s training is valued at about $30,000 and she can

Lions Club Coburg $250 recognise the sound of a front door knock, alarm clock, oven timer, microwave, smoke alarm, a baby’s cry, Lions Club Creswick $100 mobile text message and a normal phone, the trainer said. Lions Club Eaglehawk $100

Lions Club Haddon and District $250 “Patricia will pick up a lot from Ruby’s body language ... when she hears people walking up and down the Lions Club Jeparit $100 driveway she’ll be more aware.” Lions Club Kangaroo Flat $100 “She’ll run up to the source of the sound and run back and jump up to Patricia and touch her with two paws and Lions Club Maryborough $300 then lead Patricia to the sound. Lions Club Melton $500 “For the smoke alarm she’ll drop to the floor to differentiate that it is an emergency signal.” Lions Club Nyah District $200 Fellow dog trainer Darren Coldwell said it’s a tiring week Lions Club Ouyen $100 for Ruby and Patricia.

Lions Club Rainbow $50 “The dog is taking in a new environment and for the Lions Club Reservoir $100 recipient it’s very hard to take in new information, a new skill, over a six-hour day. Lions Club Robinvale and District $50 “They call it the invisible disability. Lions Club Sea Lake $250 “(Ruby) makes people aware.

Lions Club Sebastopol and District $200 “When they see the dog people are aware that the Lions Club Speed $200 recipient is hearing impaired or deaf.” Patricia will carry a special ID card and Ruby will wear a Lions Club Sunbury Hume $100 bright orange jacket when they’re out in the community Lions Club Swan Hill $400 and the trainers advised that people should not pat Ruby because it will distract her from helping Patricia. Lions Club Warracknabeal $100

Lions Club Wycheproof $200 Story from: www.theguardian.com.au

Total $7,171

Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 5 of 12 Continued from Page 1......

The District Convention was hosted by the Lions Club of Melton on October 11-13th.

180 Delegates and partners arriving at the Melton Community Centre on the Friday afternoon and evening could only be impressed by the friendly welcome by Melton Lions Members.

With this positive feedback, those who attended enjoyed the full program of speakers, activities, sandwich seminars, social events, the opportunity to meet with fellow Lions, to share many ideas - and to learn about the current directions being steered within the organisation of which we are all most proud to be a part of.

Commencing with the Friday evening Civic Reception, Mayor Kathy Midjick and her fellow councillors welcomed Lions and V1-4 Cabinet members and guests.

We felt very welcome in Melton and gained a sense of the appreciation the Melton community has for their Lions Club and Lions in the wider arena. The meal which followed was organised through The Gap – a great youth initiative in Melton with volunteers serving the meal. Then followed the impressive Flag ceremony conducted by the Air Cadets, and then the opening of the Convention by the Mayor.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner - Western Division, Andrew Crisp was our Keynote Speaker and he certainly delivered a wonderful an address which gave us all much to consider in our programs to include and assist young people.

Saturday was a very full day which commenced with speaker Lloyd Worthy from Outward Bound.

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Top: Andrew Crisp with Past Council Chairman Tony Benbow.

Right: Melton Councillor Lion Bobby Turner with his fellow Councillors and Melton Lions President Manny Spiteri. Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 6 of 12 Continued from Page 6......

His message was clear and purposeful regarding the need to provide positive and challenging experiences for young people to extend their belief in themselves and to equip them with the necessary skills to take forward as they journey through their lives.

Prolific children’s author Adam Wallace addressed the Convention with his cheeky humor and passion for childhood literacy. He encouraged us to establish and continue Lions childhood literacy programs and concluded with his rhyming step by step instructions in how to draw a lion. It provided much amusement for all and we will post some of these masterpieces on our website.

Past International Director Ed McCormick and Linda were special guests, along with PCC Tony Benbow and Sue, and also V6 District Governor, Lynn Fredericks and Pam. PID Ed McCormick addressed the Convention on Saturday afternoon and also assisted in the presentation of awards.

A highlight this year, was the big screen dvd presentation and recognition of a variety of club projects throughout V1-4. These included Lions Club of Lake Boga “Flying Boat Museum”; Lions Club of Speed “Machinery Field Weekend”; Lions Club of Miners Rest and combined Zone 7 clubs “ Police Band Concert for Righteous Pups”; Lions Club of Ultima “Lions Park” and Commemorative Paving Bricks; the Lions Club of Doutta Galla “Quilt - Esprit de Corps” project; and more.

PID Ed is taking this idea back to the USA! I hope this can continue at our Conventions as it is a wonderful way to recognise the efforts of Lions and Lions Clubs in our District.

Thanks also to the presenters who were interviewed in the videos, you have all done a first class job in portraying your clubs projects.

Videos can be viewed at http://201v1-4.lions.org.au

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Right: The crowd is held spell-bound by Children’s Author Andrew Wallace as he teaches everyone how to draw a Lion

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The Saturday evening Dinner at Tabcorp Park was well attended and we were privileged to hear the address from CEO of The Warwick Cancer Foundation, Tania Douglas.

Tania outlined the challenges for 18 – 40 year old adults on their cancer journey. These range from loss of employment and income, loneliness and isolation in their social sphere, fear, marriage, children and fertility issues, lack of support, mortgages, and the list goes on.

The Warwick Foundation assists with support systems including linking young people with similar types of cancer where they can discuss issues and treatment with a trusted person who may have already walked this path. They provide ‘Weekend Escapes’ which divert the focus on treatments for a short time.

Warwick’s Wishes provide a special occasion for a young person in the final stages of their cancer journey. If you know someone in this age group with cancer, you may wish to contact our V1-4 Ambassador Maryanne Kimpton or go directly to The Warwick Cancer Foundation to see how they can provide help and support.

Lion Dick Peel was presented with the International Presidents Recognition of Service Award for spearheading the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum. He was obviously surprised and delighted and took the floor to entertain us all with his story and dream to make this project a reality.

And the recent tradition of auctioning the big furry Lion to support the Governor’s project resulted in spirited bidding and Lion Robyn securing the custodianship of Sebastian or Jeff as he seems to be called now, for the coming year. Unfortunately, Jeff disappeared and it was found later that he had been ‘lion- napped’ by V6 Governor Lynn Fredericks and taken to Corowa......

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Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 8 of 12 Continued from Page 8...... after almost falling foul of the law in Glenrowan on the way. Jeff has been visiting clubs in V6 and we hope to have him back here soon.

Sunday’s program concluded the Notices of Motion and official business.

District Chairman Julie Starec presented Children of Courage Awards to 12-yr old David Wojcik who was able to get his deaf mother out of their burning house safely, and 12-yr old Kody Boyle who has had complications and the use of only one arm since he was born premature at 30 weeks. His mum Leanne was so impressed with Above: Past International Director Ed McCormick with Lions Lions that she has applied to join her local (Chooka) Graeme Johnson and Wayne Thomas of club in Melton. Maryborough with their Lions Cake Trailer

Lion Peter “Muddy” Waters and PDG Bruce community and business sponsors who made the Hudgson entertained everyone with the event so successful and memorable. Personally, it story of Peter’s wheelchair ride from has been a great privilege to have attended the Sydney to raising funds for Host Committee meetings during the year to Cerebral Palsy. experience the quiet and confident management team ticking along so well. Well done and thank We relocated to the historic Willows park you all. where Lion Murray Baud from the Lions Club of Taylors Lakes conducted the Thanks must also go to our lunchtime forum Remembrance Ceremony. A little chilly and presenters and facilitators: damp, but moving nevertheless. The Convention concluded with a hearty lunch Tony Benbow, Brenda Henderson, Graeme Lukey, and afternoon tea in the lovely old Willows Robyn Falloon, Dawn Fisher, Lynn Fredricks, Dick cottage. The raffle was drawn and several Peel and Grant Victor Gordon. winners attended including Zone Chairman Wayne Buckland who won the major prize Well done. of the beautiful water feature kindly donated by Bunnings. If you were unable to come this year, put the dates aside for 2014. Convention Chairman Amy On behalf of our District, I extend a huge Monsma would love to hear from you. It will be thank you to the Lions Club of Melton and hosted by Northcote Lions Club and held in the 2013 Convention Host Committee. Preston and the link can be found on our District website. http://201v1-4.lions.org.au This group has worked tirelessly and consistently for over twelve months and I POSITIVE SIGNS FOR MEMBERSHIP GROWTH have been most impressed with the It is extremely encouraging to see the interest organised and methodical way they have developing in the area of growing membership managed every aspect of the preparations and keeping clubs healthy. I have been delighted for this year’s District Convention. to induct new members at many of the club visits. In addition, several clubs have been actively..... I ask that the Melton committee also forward thanks to all the generous local !!! Continued on Page 10......

Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 9 of 12 Continued from Page 9...... seeking ideas and support to bring new members into their clubs.

The attitude of ‘ownership’ of clubs by any individual member is detrimental to the long term health of the club and whilst this member may have been an excellent contributor to the club over many years, he/she must recognise that they are holding their club back with attitudes and behaviours that are no longer making their club appealing to a diverse range of younger people. We must get our houses in order for new members to even consider joining.

To assist with this, a Lions 50/50 Pathway Forum is being organised in the Bendigo region and details will be available soon regarding dates. A minimum attendance of at least 25 is required for this to take place and it is the responsibility of the Zones and clubs to work together to promote this valuable membership resource. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The event is free to Lions to attend and all are welcome. It is a forum to generate and stimulate ideas for: getting clubs into a healthy position to receive new members and how to find and invite potential new members

I wholeheartedly thank PDG Graeme Lukey for his tireless work as Global Membership Team Coordinator in our District. We congratulate him on significant recognition of his extensive work in this area through the presentation of two International awards at the Convention. Many thanks Graeme.

SOME RECENT PROJECTS Congratulations to Zone 7 and the Lions Club of Miners Rest – this new club coordinated a wonderful concert with the Victoria Police Show Band and Victoria Police Pipe Band at the end of September and raised around $3000 for the Righteous Pups project. A trained dog will be assigned to a local Ballarat recipient through the Righteous Pups program to assist the owner with diversionary strategies in dealing with autism.

The Lions Club of Doutta Galla “Quilt – Esprit de Corps” Project is also significant in bringing a team together, liaising with a great cause, and taking the project in many surprise directions. The culmination of this project is that a new special interest Lions Club is on the cusp of being formed. Just a little imagination is all that is required to take a Dream to reality!

APPRENTICE AWARDS I encourage your clubs to adopt this simple project to recognise a young person in your community – whether it is an apprentice or trainee in any number of occupations, the impact of this recognition can be profound and lasting.

Many clubs have indicated that they will incorporate this into their Australia Day events. The mechanics of these awards do not have to be detailed or complex. Some of the clubs are working on this as a Zone project with each club nominating a selection of candidates. This could be a great option in implementing Apprentice Awards into club programs.District Ambassador for this project is Lion Gerry Noonan who is more than happy to speak at your club meetings.

GET WELL WISHES Thinking of those with health issues…….. PDG Arthur Uren, PDG Graeme Lukey, IPDG Fred Jacobs, Helen Jacobs, and I am sure there are others – take care all! Continued on Page 11......

Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 10 of 12 Continued from Page 10......

CLUB VISITS Robyn and I both eagerly look forward to club visits and we thoroughly appreciate the amazingly diverse and wonderful projects undertaken by all of the Lions, Lioness and Leos Clubs in our District. It is a great privilege to hear of all your great work. I encourage clubs to let me know in advance if you would like to show me one of your projects prior to your scheduled meeting in November and December. If you are interested in speaking about it on a video presentation, I can arrange this and give you a copy for promotion in your community, as well as possible promotion in our District V1-4 and wider afield.

DISTRICT WEBSITE Speaking of websites earlier, I hope you have noticed a few changes to the District website and I thank Malcolm Qualtrough for creating a more interesting and interactive front page - and of course, the links on the right hand column to all the wonderful group photographs during the Governor’s club visits. I hope you have had fun grinning and throwing your two hands into the air!

Also checkout the Videos of Club Projects they are fantastic examples of what can be achieved if your club has a dream.

We also have a summary of the Convention and an extensive slide show of photographs for you to enjoy http://201v1-4.lions.org.au

Until next time, yours in friendship and Lions,

Stan

Stan Falloon 201 V1-4 District Governor

Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 11 of 12 CARISBROOK’s TILLY ASHTON GAZEBO - a gift for the community by The Lions Club

Information boards have been placed in the gazebo.The boards are graffiti proof and hardy. Shortly the Club will get a tank on for roof water collection and a solar light for security. Once these have been done, the Tilly Aston memorial centre will be offered to Carisbrook Historical Society as a gift.

Tilly was born in Carisbrook.Vision impaired from birth, she was totally blind by the age of seven. In 1881 she met Thomas James, a miner who had lost his sight in an industrial accident and who had become an itinerant blind missionary. He taught her to read braille and soon after, the Rev. W. Moss, who visited Carisbrook with the choir of the Victorian Asylum and School for the Blind, persuaded her to attend the school in St Kilda. After successfully matriculating at the age of 16, Tilly became the first blind Australian to go to a university, enrolling for an Arts Degree from the . However, due to the lack of braille text books and ‘nervous prostration’ she was forced to discontinue her studies in the middle of her second year.

While convalescent, she tried to earn her living as a music- teacher, and realized the plight of blind people.

After leaving school, she lived with her mother and a brother in Melbourne until about 1913, when her mother died and her brother married. She then moved to a house of her own in Windsor, where she had a house-keeper-companion. She died there of cancer on 1 November 1947.

The Federal electorate Division of Aston in Melbourne's eastern suburbs and a street in the Canberra suburb of Cook are named in her honour. Top: The Gazebo. Middle: Information Boards. Bottom: Honour Board of District Clubs A cairn was erected in her honour, a year after her death, by which supported the Gazebo. Carisbrook PrimarySchool and the Midlands Historical Society, and there is a sculpture of her in King's Domain, Melbourne.

With the assistance of friends and the Australian Natives association Aston established the Victorian Association of Braille Writers in 1894. This organization would eventually become the Victorian Braille Library. In 1895 a meeting called by Tilly Aston founded the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia to fight for greater independence, social change and new laws for blind people. They quickly won voting rights for blind people; free postage for Braille material in 1899 (a world first for Australia); and transport concessions for the blind. Aston was also a prolific writer, particularly of poetry and prose sketches, though her writing was often interrupted by her teaching and other activities. Send Articles to: [email protected] Page 12 of 12