THE motto ‘We serve’ is just as relevant today as it was in 1916.
That’s what Member for Murray Plains and Leader of the Victorian Nationals, Party Peter Walsh told the audience at the Lions Club of Kerang’s 50th anniversary dinner at the weekend.
Fifty years of serving the local community was celebrated, with too many projects to list forming the backbone of the community.
Attended by current and former members, including one charter member, as well as Cr Lorraine Learmonth, Lions District Governor Norm Walkington, and Mr Walsh, the evening included a dinner, a cake cutting and an awards ceremony.
Current club president Jeff Jackson talked about what it takes to make a long serving Lions member.
“I think there are two important factors. The first is dedication to the cause and satisfaction that comes from making a difference,” he said.
“The second factor is having fun while doing Lions work.”
Long serving members were honoured with Chevron awards presented to Colin Myers (15 years’ service), Christine O’Donohue (20 years’ service), Lindsay Maplestone (20 years’ service), Peter Charles Jones (35 years’ service), Neil McKenzie (35 years’ service), John Dear (40 years’ service) and Noel Connelly (40 years’ service).
Former president Greg Gin, who also chaired the evening, received the highest honour a Lion can receive – the Melvin Jones Fellowship, an award which recognises an outstanding Lion or member of the general public.
Dr Gin was speechless at first but soon found words to express his appreciation.
“Lions is a real family to us … we’re trying to make the community better. All of us try to do our best no matter how big or small,” he said.
“We don’t do these things for the award but it is much appreciated,” he said.
Some of the Lions projects that were mentioned by various speakers included the Meals on Wheels program, the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal, diabetes awareness and vision impairment education campaigns, the Ibis Rookery Project at Middle Lake, the Kerang Community Angels who deliver care packages to oncology patients at Kerang District Hospital, and more.
Charter member, Jim Richards also attended, who was also secretary for the first five years of the club.
“It’s a privilege to be here and I’m very grateful to the Lions Club of Kerang for the invitation. They do a wonderful job for the community,” he said.
“I’d like to wish the club all the best for the future and congratulate them for doing a wonderful job,” he said.
Mr Richards cut the cake with Mr Jackson and long-serving member Joe Tartaglia, who has been a member for 43 years, joining in 1975 and still going.
“A friend … talked about all the good work they do and the community work [they do], and that got me going,” Mr Tartaglia said of his decision to join.
“It’s rewarding when [community members] have a smile on their faces after you’ve done something for them.”
Bannerettes representing friendship between chapters were presented to Mr Jackson from Portarlington Drysdale representative, Ian Cook and Ulladulla Milton representative, Barry Bryant, who used to be a member at Kerang.
