THE new president of one of Kerang’s community service groups will look to build on the organisation’s aims of serving people.
Jeff Jackson was installed as Lions Club of Kerang’s 2017/18 president during a changeover dinner held last Thursday night at the Kerang Sports and Entertainment Venue.
It will be the first time the former primary school principal will lead the organisation, which he joined 12 years ago.
“We have a good group of people in the club who have been with Lions for quite a while and have all been president at some point,” Mr Jackson said.
“As a club, we need to start to bring the younger members into the fold and for those to start taking on roles.”
Mr Jackson takes over from Greg Gin, who held the role for the previous 12 months – nine years after initially holding the club’s highest position.
During the past 12 months the club donated $6400 to local organisations, Lions projects and Lions International initiatives, with funds raised through numerous catering and event management opportunities.
“Thank you to all of the members for their support, work and encouragement during my year,” Mr Gin said.
One of the club’s key projects is supporting the Kerang Community Angels initiative, which involves volunteers making pump and tote bags, tie hats, beanies and satin pillow cases for Kerang District Health oncology patients.
“ABC Radio recently did an interview on the program, and the number of people who heard the report have donated money, fabric and time, as they believe it is such a worthwhile cause,” Mr Gin said.
Mr Jackson hopes to build on the efforts achieved during the past year, using Lions International president, Naresh Aggarwal’s call of each of the 10.4 million members globally serving 10 people per month – resulting in 170 million people benefiting from the organisation.
“This year I will ask all Lions to continue to help where you can, and when you can, to do our job of serving,” he said.
Meanwhile, long-serving member, Joe Tartaglia’s 41 years of service to the community received recognition, with the club’s first vice-president presented with the Chris August Award on the night – a district award to exceptional dedication to the organisation.
The club also announced that John Poole had received a J.D. Richardson Award – presented by the Australian Lions Foundation – for service to the organisation.
