2012 Feb - Lions Australia

Cup’s a winner
Melbourne’s racing season has come and
gone but Melbourne Cup fever was reignited
recently at Victoria’s Anglesea club.
The 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup was brought
to the club as part of a fundraising effort.
The cup was on a tour of selected communities
throughout Australia and New Zealand to allow
community groups to use the occasion to highlight
their work and raise funds.
At the Blue Cross Nursing Home where Lions
took the cup, one elderly resident hailed it as the
greatest highlight of his life. Others were just
thrilled to touch the piece of gold.
The Anglesea Bowling Club hosted a Cup Lunch
and a host of other events were staged around the
visit.
Lions ran a farmers’ market on the river bank to
boost their funds and to defray the costs of hosting
the day. Profits will go toward scholarships for
three graduating primary school students.
Anglesea Lioness Past President Margaret Vise
(below) keeps a firm hand on the cup.
24
Three of the best
The NSW Central Coast club of
Gwandalan achieved three generations of
family members when a new Lion, David
Pazzan, was inducted.
David’s son Tyson was already a Leo and
his mother, Violet Jeanes, is president of
Gwandalan Lioness Club. Not only are there
now three generations, they represent three
aspects of Lionism – Lions, Lioness and Leo
clubs.
RIGHT: Proud Lioness President Violet with her
son, Lion David, and grandson Leo Tyson.
AROUND THE NATION
Serving up a solution for survival
It’s the eternal problem for Lions clubs in
smaller communities ... attracting enough
members.
Early last year Queensland’s Lennox Head club
had such a problem.
While there are about 15,000 in this coastal
village, many were involved in sporting and
community activities or members of other groups.
Back then, the workload was getting so heavy for
the club’s few members that it was in danger of
folding. Membership had fallen to eight and getting
enough members to stand for positions was hard.
“We had been providing ongoing financial
support to many local clubs and community groups,
primarily from funds raised by our barbecue at the
monthly markets and special events such as
Australia day Celebrations and Carols by
Candlelight,” said the club’s Doug Stinson. “We had
a regular commitment to operate the barbecue but
In danger of closure, the Lennox Head club is once
again thriving thanks to the involvement of outside
volunteers and groups in activities such as its
monthly market barbecues.
we were having trouble getting the numbers to
operate it. Our continued operation was looking
desperate and it was suggested we seek support
from groups for whom we have been a benefactor
over the years.”
That approach proved a winner. In March last
year the club organised a meeting of all community
groups to discuss the predicament. A system was
proposed in which they would provide voluntary
support for regular fundraising activities, including
the market barbecue.
“It became clear that the proposals would not
only benefit the Lions club but also promote a
closer liaison between our clubs and the
community,” said Doug. “Having their members
working alongside ours would afford them the
opportunity to promote their own clubs. We
encouraged them to wear uniforms and display
information and posters to advertise their activities.”
Since then there has been outside support at
every barbecue with a roster system in operation.
The extra involvement has increased the club’s
fundraising ability and developed closer links
between it and the community. And the club’s
increased profile has brought new members.
“The results have been extremely positive and
we would encourage other clubs to involve your
local community in Lions activities wherever
possible; it can be a major win for all concerned,”
said Doug.
Lion