2012 Feb - Lions Australia

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U.S. Army turns to Lions Quest At seven years old, Jackson Gross has experienced the deployment of his father four times already. Jackson is hardly alone: nearly two million military children in the United States have had a parent deployed multiple times. The resultant emotional stress can cause ongoing academic and behavioural problems. Even after the parent returns home, these difficulties can continue. To help address these problems, the U.S. Army turned to Lions Quest, LCIF’s youth development program, because of its proven track record of improving academic and behavioural issues. A pilot program at the Army/Air Force Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state uses Lions Quest in the curriculum. Last August, 31 teachers 10 and staff learned how to better meet military students’ needs during Lions Quest training. LCIF collaborated with the Army’s Child, Adolescent & Family Behavioural Health Office on the initiative. This training and pilot are the first for LCIF and Lions Quest at a military base. Deanna Nuttbrock-Allen, who attended the training, said that Lions Quest was “an effective, comprehensive approach to addressing the growth and development of our children.” Other military-related groups are also recognising Lions Quest’s effectiveness. The Penn State University Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness recognised the middle school program as “promising”, and the U.S. Army’s Surgeon General has cited Lions clubs as a positive example of a Lions benefit from Rotary club’s final act of generosity It was not all bad news when the Rotary club in the NSW country town of Canowindra, near Cowra, was forced to close. Almost $6000 in leftover funds were passed over to the local Lions club so as to remain of benefit to the community. “They’ve got similar aims and objectives (to Rotary) and they will keep the LEFT: Sandi Vest, a social worker for the U.S. Army, uses problem-solving techniques learned in Lions Quest training at a military base with Jackson Gross, 7, whose father has been deployed four times. community collaborative partnership. “The foundation and evidence behind Lions Quest make it a no-brainer to use. Any human being, big or little, can benefit from learning healthier ways to interact with the people in their lives,” says Mona Johnson, director of School Behavioural Health for the U.S. Army Medical Command. “The unique issue for (military children) is the stress that comes with multiple deployments.” Lions have a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of youth, so this collaboration is a natural opportunity for partnership. Only seven military bases worldwide currently have school behavioural health programs in place. Implementing Lions Quest in more of these communities could help in many ways. “All of our military children and families experience similar hardships at one point or time. The need for support is ongoing … to foster resilience, a sense of belonging and overall wellbeing,” says Michele Gross, Jackson’s mother. Lions Quest also is piloting an Out-of-School- Time (OST) in six community schools in Chicago public schools in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Chicago. Begun last autumn, the program is reaching about 300 children. OST works with existing before-and after-school programs for middle schoolers. This pilot marks the first step in bringing Lions Quest to community centres, after-school programs and other organisations – the very places where Lions help youth every day. New community partnership grants are available from LCIF for Lions to begin or expand Lions Quest programs. A how-to brochure offers a step-by-step guide to getting started. LCIF is eager to partner with Lions clubs to expand these new initiatives. Learn more about Lions Quest and download materials at www.lcif.org or www.lions-quest.org. money here,” the club’s former president, David Bigg, told the local Canowindra News. “They’ve said they will put it into community progress which is what we would do with it.” The club also gave money and equipment to several other communitybased projects and organisations. Lion
On tour with our 2nd International VP Barry’s Lions mission Since the last report International Second Vice President Barry Palmer and Lion Anne have travelled extensively overseas representing Lions Clubs International. We here in our Multiple District are very fortunate to have access to information regarding their travels, not only from the interest point of view but also to keep us informed of the challenges faced by many people in other parts of the world – some not too far away from us. The following is a report from Barry on their experiences while visiting Thailand and India. “ It is often said we live in the lucky country – and I am now sure that we do. Anne and I had the privilege to represent Lions and worked with the Bangkok Lions to supply rice and water to the people of parts of Bangkok who were still in flood water six weeks after floods started. By the time you read this they will be just about dry. Barry joins Bangkok Lions in handing out rice and water to flood victims. We were assisted by the Royal Thai Army who supplied the truck and some soldiers. After being loaded in the back with 500 bags of rice and heaps of water we were driven down roads that were under water with wooden footpaths built on the roadside so locals could walk to dry land to get supplies. In some cases this was a few kilometres which meant the young and elderly could not manage it. Trucks were used to pick up people and transport them to and from dry land. Our first stop was a flooded school. The children with their parents were each given a bag of rice and four small bottles of water. The bag would last a family of four for about four days and cost four U.S. February - March 2012 dollars. The money for this project was supplied by Japanese Lions – made even more special when one considers all they had been through in Japan. The look on the children’s and parents’ faces was worth the trip. The gratitude was unbelievable and through all this they are still smiling. Such as it is with the Thai people. After the school we drove slowly around the streets handing out rice and water to locals and children. The disaster went on for miles and we only scratched the surface. As Anne said, it was an emotional experience but so very rewarding. Following our visit to Bangkok Anne and I were fortunate to visit Calcutta just before Christmas to witness some of the incredible projects carried out by Lions. In Calcutta alone there are 16 hospitals owned and operated by Lions. One of the hospitals we visited is owned by the Calcutta North Lions Club where, as well as being a general hospital, 5000 cataract operations are carried out each year. While we were there they were running their annual polio camp during which a surgeon performs around 60 operations per day – straightening twisted legs and arms and treating clubbed feet. Whatever is needed it is done. I was invited to stand in and watch two operations on young children. It was one of life’s experiences – mind you, I did try and get out of it when I was all gowned up but the surgeon would not hear of it. I did not think I would last the distance but with the surgeon talking me through what he was doing I became engrossed in the process. The Lions assist in managing the flow of patients and the carers who attend with the patient. Lions provide all food and sleeping arrangements for patients and families. Once the operation is completed the limb that has been operated on is set in plaster and within 36 hours the patient is on their way home! These operations are carried out with only local anaesthetic with the children getting a small dose of sedative to help them relax. No painkillers after the surgery! There is also a park of about five acres in the centre of Calcutta called the Lions African Safari Park. They have built it up from scratch over the last Barry hands over a new sewing machine to a young woman to start a new business to aid her family. 25 years and what an outstanding park it is with a children’s area, a meditation area, walking tracks and quiet areas for just sitting. There is something for everybody. We then visited a school run by Calcutta North Lions to educate young people in the English language, sewing and computers. We were honoured to present some sewing machines to young women so they could start their own businesses and help the family out of poverty. The city mayor was there and promised the club more land so they could expand the school. We also visited a school built and run by another Lions club. This centre of learning is much sought after by students who want to study there. On the day we were there students were doing entrance exams whilst anxious parents waited outside. The staff and Lions are committed to this school being a showplace for students. I was amazed at the questions asked of me about Australia and the knowledge they had. Like “how many of Australia's native animals are now extinct?” They have promised me they will have a cricket team by the time I return. This was an experience that Anne and I will never forget. When you have a discussion in your club over some small things, just think of the surgeon they call God in India and what he is doing with polio victims. He tells me he is not God but God gave him a gift to use and so he uses it. By the time you read this report we will have been to Lebanon, India, Brussels, USA, Mexico and Africa and back home for the charter of new clubs in Sydney and Melbourne at the start of February. Keep believing in our organisation and what we can achieve if we dream big dreams. ” Anne and Barry thank you for your ongoing support and wish you all a healthy and happy 2012. PDG Carlene King OAM Member Campaign Committee 11
Page 1: Registered Registered by Australia
Page 4 and 5: Tell the world who we are By Wing-K
Page 6 and 7: LIONS ACTION Students with green th
Page 8 and 9: 8 10,000 satisfied Schoolies It cou
Page 12 and 13: 12 PATRICK the Lion Namers P atrick
Page 14 and 15: LIONS YOUTH LEOS DO LIONS PROUD Com
Page 16 and 17: LIONS YOUTH 16 Young vision Brooke
Page 18 and 19: Stepping ahead in spinal cord recov
Page 20 and 21: A LIONS GUIDE What you should know
Page 22 and 23: When you feel proud to be a Lion So
Page 24 and 25: Cup’s a winner Melbourne’s raci
Page 26 and 27: Committee Vacancies The Council of
Page 28 and 29: 28 yoursay Lions’ letters Best da
Page 30 and 31: 30 Just some of our award winners

2012 Feb - Lions Australia

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