Leos leap into service Convention highlights - Lions Clubs New ...

SOUTH PACIFIC EDITIONMay/June 2012Leos leapinto serviceConvention highlightsLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 1

FROM WING-KUN TAM, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENTLet’s Celebrate Our Miracles and HeroesLCIF's scope and power unites usAs international president, I travel the world and, in making small talk with me,Lions and others I meet often comment on the many foods, customs and climates Imust encounter.That is certainly true. The world is complex and multifaceted.But this year, although I knew it as a fact, I discoveredfirsthand a common thread among nations and in the worldof Lions: the wonderfully effective presence of LCIF.Our Foundation is everywhere. When I was in Mumbai,India, I visited Anjuman-I-Islam, a school that uses LionsQuest. It was clear Lions are helping these schoolchildrenbecome productive, thoughtful citizens. In the DemocraticRepublic of Congo, I spent time at an eye hospital inKinshasa. I was overwhelmed to see how SightFirstis changing lives for desperately poor people. In theNetherlands, I tested a prototype of an ultra-modern whitecane that uses GPS and surface-scanning sensors. LCIFis giving the blind a new dimension of mobility.LCIF is an incredible vehicle for Lions to serve both acrossborders and in their own communities. Our Foundationgives sight to the blind, helps victims of disaster andgenerally addresses needs that otherwise would gounfulfilled by governments and other civic groups.The best is yet to come. Campaign SightFirst II and theLions Measles Initiative, in particular, will help untold millionsretain their health and vision. As Lions, we are eager to bringopportunity and happiness toothers. LCIF allows us to do thaton a massive scale.The efforts of Lions through LCIFand our contributions to it makeme proud to be a Lion. LCIFmakes many people's dreamscome true. It represents the powerof "We". When we believe, we canchange the world. Our belief in theFoundation endows it with power and productivity.For the past year, I have compared Lions clubs to familiesin which members must look after one another as in afamily. LCIF is our precious family heirloom, given to usto grow and support. Please continue to support LCIF.Please continue to believe in it and treasure it. The familyof Lions is as enriching and satisfying as it is, in no smallpart because of LCIF.Wing-Kun TamLions Clubs International PresidentTime Passes; Lions' Service EnduresOur Lions year is drawing to a close, and I hope to see many of you later this month at the internationalconvention in Busan. We expect to have one of the largest, if not the largest, conventions ever.It's been a tremendous privilege and greatjoy to serve as your president. Lions haveserved with incredible passion this year.Our service soared to new levels. EachLion in every club deserves credit.This year Lions also enjoyed themselvesand felt at home within their clubs. Lionsresponded to my understanding of a clubas family. As a result, our retention ofmembers has been strong this year, andoverall membership is positive.Lions also embraced our tree plantingcampaign. So far, we've planted almost 10million trees. The trees not only beautify ourcommunities but they also help preserve them.The trees we planted may absorb as muchas 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, morethan a tonne for each Lion. We are helping tosave the planet.My year in office demonstrated beyond allargument that when we believe we are able tosummon the courage, commitment and action tochange the world and make it the kind of placeall of us want and deserve. My final thoughts aspresident are focused on you - the regularmember in a routine club that quietly doessuperlative service. You have my admirationand very best wishes. You believe in Lions,and your belief has given hope to peoplewhere none existed and uplifted themfrom want and need. I Believe became WeBelieve during the course of the year. Thepower of our belief will continue to enrich theworld and continue to make us the world'sgreatest service organisation.Wing-Kun TamLions Clubs International PresidentLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 2

SOUTH PACIFIC EDITION MAY/JUNE 2012ContentsEditorial 4Earthquake awards 5Convention 8Council Chairman's report 14Fiji's floods 23Lions Quest 27Cover: Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate art teacher Toetuu Loa helps Leos Okusitino Inukihaangana andMatthew Coates put the finishing touches to the larger than life mural of local rugby leagueNRL and Warriors legend Reuben Wiki on the Scorpion Rugby League clubrooms.EDITOR:Contributions should be posted to The Editor, P O Box 3276, Wellington 6140, New Zealandor emailed to lioneditor@morrimac.comLION South Pacific Edition accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material, nor for the opinions expressed or coincidental names used, by the authors.Contents copyright.LION - official publication of Lions Clubs International. Published by authority of the Board of Directors in 18 languages: English, Chinese, Danish, Dutch,French, Finnish, Flemish-French, German, Greek, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.Publications Committee: The Executive Management CommitteePublications Executives - Lions Clubs International: Dane LaJoye - Managing Editor, Jay Copp - Senior EditorDistributionDistribution of this magazine is by bulk delivery to each Lions Club from where it is distributed to each Lions member. Updating of membership numbers is carried out by the District Secretaries each month.Queries in relation to distribution should be addressed to The Executive Officer, P O Box 691, Orewa 0946, New Zealand or email to: executiveofficer@lionsclubs.org.nzEXECUTIVE OFFICERSInternational President: Dr WING-KUN TAM, Hong Kong, China; Immediate Past President: SID L SCRUGGS III, Vass, North Carolina; First Vice President: WAYNE A MADDEN, Auburn, Indiana, USA;Second Vice President: BARRY J PALMER, Berowra, NSW, Australia.DIRECTORSINTERNATIONAL DIRECTORSSECOND YEAR (elected in Sydney, Australia)YAMANDU P ACOSTA, Eufaula, Alabama, USA; DOUGLAS X ALEXANDER, Brooklyn, New York, USA; DR GARY ANDERSON, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; NARENDRA BHANDARI, Pune,India; JANEZ BOHORIC, Kranj, Slovenia; JAMES CAVALLARO, Springfield, Pennsylvania, USA; TA-LUNG CHIANG, Tiachung, Taiwan; PER K CHRISTENSEN, Denmark; EDISSON KARNOPP,Santa Cruz Do Sul, Brazil; SONJA PULLEY, Portland, Oregon, USA; KRISHNA REDDY, Bangalore, India; ROBERT G SMITH, Sacramento, California, USA; EUGENE M SPIESS, Moore, SouthCarolina, USA; EDDY WIDJANARKO, Surabaya, Indonesia; SEIKI YAMAURA, Tokyo, Japan; GUDRUN YNGVADOTTIR, Gardabaer, Iceland.FIRST YEAR (elected in Seattle, Washington, USA)JOAQUIM CARDOSO BORRALHO, Portugal; BOB CORLEW, Tennessee, USA; CLAUDETTE CORNET, Pau, France; JAGDISH GULATI, Allahabad, India; DAVE HAJNY, Ennis, Montana,USA; TSUGUMICHI HATA, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan; MARK HINTZMANN, Watertown, Wisconsin, USA; PONGSAK "PK" KEDSAWADEVONG, Muang District, Thailand; CAROLYN AMESSIER, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA; JOE AL PICONE, Brenham, Texas USA; ALAN T "TED" REIVER' Wilmington, Delaware, USA; BRIAN E SHEEHAN, Bird Island, Minnesota,USA; JUNICHI TAKATA, Toyama, Japan; KLAUS TANG, Neustadt, Wied, Germany; CARLOS A VALENCIA, Miranda, Venezuela; SUNIL WATAWALA, Sri Lanka.MD202 COUNCIL CHAIRMAN: JOANNE CAMERON, KaroriDISTRICT GOVERNORS: 202D GAY HARVEY, Bell Block Puketapu; 202E MARY GRIFFITHS, Christchurch Pegasus; 202F LYNETTE BATT, Invercargill Southern Pride New Century;202J ROBERT NAISMITH, Waiareka Valley; 202K ERIC CARTER, Henderson; 202L ANDREW MALLOCH, Hamilton St-Andrews; 202M SIMON DOMPER, Norsewood.http://www.lionsclubs.org.nzLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 3

EDITORIALIt never ceases to amaze us, here at the Lion magazine office, just what a huge range of activitiesLions are involved in.From the massive job of organising a Multiple District Conventionto a simple street collection - the variety is enormous.This year's Convention, held in New Plymouth in April, wasan action-packed, high-energy event, and was one of thelargest for several years. The organising team should surelypat themselves on the back - and take a bit of a breather afterall the hard work.In this issue we bring you highlights of the Convention from theCouncil Chairman's summary of the business conducted by theteam of Governors at their final Council meeting, to an overviewof the Friday night opening, the Saturday business session andSunday's Remembrance and Re-dedication service, along withsocial pictures from Saturday night's dine and dance.We also have news of the wonderful initiative in Christchurchwhere Lions have entered into an arrangement with theChristchurch City Council to fund a new community facility toreplace one of those lost in the earthquakes. Lions' generosityfrom all around the country - indeed all around the world - hascreated the fund that allows this high-profile project to goahead. The Christchurch Earthquake Committee, chaired byPDG Philip Lynch, should pat themselves on the back too.Though their well-earned breather will no doubt have to waitas there is still so much to do in the stricken city, and Lionswork is far from done.Another pat on the back should go to Leos co-ordinator BrianGrounds and all the Lions Clubs that have worked so hard todouble the number of Leos Clubs to 18 - with 10 more in theoffing. What a great gift to the community, to inspire youngpeople to give back, and learn the pleasure that comes fromhelping others. It seems the way to recruiting more memberslies with the young - not only do many of the Leos want tomove on to Lions once they are old enough, but also a numberof teachers and parents have "seen the light" and are joiningup as well.Fijian Lions get the pat on the back as well, for their selflessactions following severe flooding in January and again in March.They gave hope to many families who had lost everything, alongwith food and fresh water. Lloyd Morgan Lions Clubs CharitableTrust and LCIF played their part, too, in immediately grantingemergency funding for the relief efforts.The Gore Pakeke Lions who set a great example toschoolchildren with their recycling project, all Lions who gatherup old spectacles, can tabs, old cellphones, old money - thelist goes on. But you can read about many of them in thisissue. And we think every single Lion deserves one of thosepats on the back as well. You do indeed serve.And finally, we have reverted to the former masthead on themagazine, with the sanction of LCI - we think it looks better, theCouncil of Governors think it looks better - we hope you do too.Iain MorrisonEditor, Lion South Pacific EditionMission statement of Lions Clubs International:“To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needsby providing voluntary services through community involvement and internationalcooperation.”LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 4

EARTHQUAKES UPDATECanterbury 'quakes response rewardedRaewyn Clearwater, Past District Governor of 202E, has been honoured with a Royal Humane Society Medalfor her selfless service following Christchurch's devastating earthquakes.Recipients of the award were chosenfrom nominations made by the public andincluded those who pulled people from therubble, who came to the aid of strickenhospital patients, and those who inspiredtheir communities."This was an individual award to her, notas a representative of Lions, although itwas awarded for the work she did as theDistrict Governor of the day," explainedPDG Marion McWha. "She was nominatedby at least two Lions."While still working in the health field, andcarrying out her District Governor dutieswithout interruption, Raewyn's home wastaken over by earthquake relief supplies -every time I was there, there were boxesand boxes of goods received from Lionsfrom all over the country, which she hadto arrange to distribute."She mobilised Christchurch Lions insuch things as distribution of water andportable toilets."A woman in Wellington arranged to collectlinen - and Raewyn received well overa dozen huge bales of sheets, towels,etc - too much to store in their alreadyfull garage, so another Club memberkindly stored it. From that venue Raewyn,assisted by other Lions, sorted throughabsolutely every item, and arranged for itto be distributed to the most needy.PDG Raewyn with her medal. "Presented to Raewyn Clearwater in recognition of acts of kindness,service and heroism during and following the Christchurch earthquakes""All this sort of thing done in the sparemoments she could find from her job, herDG commitments, and her family."She hadn't known of the nomination, andwas away on a well-deserved holiday on theday the awards were presented. She askedthe Council if she could have someone collectit on her behalf, but they said they wouldarrange a special presentation on her return.However, this did not happen, and eventuallyRaewyn and I went in to the Council officeand picked it up from the receptionist."No special presentation, so that night atour Club meeting, I nominated Past DistrictGovernor Tom McCleary as "acting Mayor"and he "officially" presented the ChristchurchEarthquake Hero award to Raewyn."“I would like to thank the many clubs thathelped out in so many ways during theearthquakes,” Raewyn says. “To all the clubsand members of the public who knitted all thebeanies, cardigans, blankets, baby clothesand soft toys. I lost count of how many boxesarrived. They were very much appreciated.The mountain of linen that arrived has allbeen put to very good use. There was bakingthat arrived as well, which was wonderful.To my fellow District Governors who did somuch to help us by getting their own Districtsin behind projects. I know there were alot of projects put on hold to help those inChristchurch. We are very grateful.”Relief work continuesThroughout this Lions year we have had a team of Lions who have continued to give one hundredpercent of their time and efforts to our community on our behalf, says DG Mary Griffiths."The members of the Earthquake Relief Fund Committee are:Chairman PDG Philip Lynch, DGE Peter Mechaelis, Don Giles, DigbyProsser, PDG Raewyn Clearwater, Peter Gamble, Gillian Stewart, IngMa, Eileen Yates, Tony Flint and myself. We also have a most efficientand valued secretary - Janet Shepherd."These people have worked consistently, visiting and vetting peoplewho have asked for our help, spent hours on the phone and attendedmany meetings to co-ordinate decision making. I am exceedinglygrateful to each and every one of them for their continued dedicationand passionate contribution to a very successful team, who havejudiciously distributed the hard-earned funds donated by LionsClubs world-wide."LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 5

EARTHQUAKES UPDATEPost-earthquake service recognisedThe North Christchurch Earthquake Awards was an initiative by the Ilam Member of Parliament and Ministerfor Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee.Nominations for a range of groups weresent from the public, many of them givinga poignant insight to how those groups hadhelped. In the end 15 groups received theAward, including District 202E.Awards were presented by Gerry at aceremony in March, where he spoke ofthe fact that people put their own livesat risk and worked long gruelling hours,in many cases knowing their own homesor businesses were damaged and whileenduring the ongoing aftershocks."Lions respond to their community's needsand collectively are involved in a massivelydiverse range of projects and activities.They have strength in numbers whencollectively called on to help with a nationalor international situation."The Canterbury earthquake is an example ofLions mobilising at a local level, on a nationalscale and campaigning internationally. Lionsbought and distributed drinking water andsetup food stations within hours. Theysourced and distributed chemical toiletswithin days. As an international partnerwith Red Cross, Lions made house calls tosurvey people's needs."A global fundraising campaign headedby Lions International has so far providednearly $1 million in cash for Canterburyfamilies in need. As such a largeservice organisation, the Lions clubs ofChristchurch were assisted by other clubsthroughout New Zealand."Lions' practical help as well as financialhelp was offered to all those in need overthe city. They donated money and goodsas well as organising trips to Hanmer forthose who needed a break. Because of thesize of the response by the Lions Clubsthey set up an Earthquake Committeechaired by Philip Lynch."The Lions District 202E was nominatedfor this award by a woman whom they hadhelped. She simply said 'I had nothing leftand their help kept me alive'."District E was also honoured with thehighest award St John's can present withoutgetting permission from their patron, theQueen. It reads "Priory in New Zealand ofthe most Venerable Order of the Hospitalof St John of Jerusalem. Resolved that theChildren's book to help with traumaPDG Philip Lynch receives the NorthChristchurch Earthquake Award from theMinister for Earthquake Recovery, GerryBrownlee. "In recognition of service to thelocal community in the aftermath of the 22ndFebruary 2011 earthquake by the InternationalAssociation of Lions Clubs toward the recoveryof our city after the earthquakes."appreciation of his Excellency the Prior andthe Priory Chapter be hereby conveyedto Lions District 202E in recognition ofvaluable assistance rendered to St Johnin Canterbury during the earthquakeresponse and recovery."The social workers of the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Team have received 200 copies of "Quaky Cat" -a book written specially for the children of Christchurch by Diana Noonan and illustrated by Gavin Bishop.The gift was made possible by the generosity of the Lions Clubsof Christchurch and around New Zealand.Two schoolchildren reviewed the book."In the book it says about the school field being 'full oflumps'. I remember at my school the pipes undergroundwere broken, there were cracks on the ground and therewas liquefaction everywhere, in big huge lumps overthe field.""The roar of the earthquake sounded like an engine starting.During the earthquakes my cats ran under the bed and wouldn'tcome out -they were shaking as if the ground was still shaking!"This is truly a book that speaks of the experiences Canterburychildren have been through."We believe the book is a relevant resource to assist childrenand parents cope with the trauma generated by the repeatedevents in Christchurch," Lion Digby Prosser said.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 6

Lions funding new community facilityA joint venture between Lions and the Christchurch City Council will see a new transitional communityfacility built on a council-owned site in Colombo Street, St Albans.Lions will fund the building, which isexpected to be open by July and will beavailable for community use for the nexttwo to five years.The site was previously the St AlbansResource Centre, which was badlydamaged in the 22 February 2011earthquake and was demolished atthe end of last year."Having the site clear and ready togo provided us with the opportunityto work with the Lions on thisinitiative", Christchurch City CouncilGeneral Manager CommunityServices Michael Aitken said. "Thebuilding will provide meeting spacefor local community groups andlow-impact recreation activities.It's great to see this positiveinitiative going ahead, with otherfacilities and buildings closed dueto earthquake damage."202E District Governor MaryGriffiths said this was a practicalway the organisation could contributeto the community."We know that as Christchurch moves intoa state of rebuild and recovery, it's nowmore important than ever to have a placefor community groups to come together,discuss and plan for the future."PDG Phil Lynch and Digby Prosser fromChristchurch made a presentation aboutthe project to the MD Convention, alsoshowing a moving slide show of thedamaged city."The earthquakes are still part of ourlives and will be for a long time to come,"Phil explained. "The city centre is like awar zone. 600 buildings have gone andthere are 600 still to go. No photos orimages you have seen do justice to thedamage. We are very proud as Lionswith what we have done so far. Weare still providing support. For many ashower and flushing toilet would be aluxury. Our long-term goal is to look afteras many people and community groupsas possible.""Our family of Lions can help all otherfamilies," Digby told the Convention. "TheCity Council has lost 60 percent of publicbuildings - halls, community centres, etc.We have found a near-new relocatablebuilding that will provide a space for up to50 people for meetings and activities thatmeet their needs, an opportunity for thecommunity to help itself."The building will be funded by the LionsEarthquake Fund and ownership will beretained by Lions; CCC is undertaking theinfrastructure and land costs and willprovide the day-to-day administrationand maintenance longer term. Acommunity committee, includingLions, will be established to superviseits management."This is a wonderful opportunity toassist a community with needs. It isa pioneer partnership of earthquakeresponse and will profile Lions inthe community. Plans have beendeveloped and the next phasesare to establish the building onsiteand ensure it is operational withinthree months."The Earthquake Committeeencourages Lions Clubs in thevicinity of St Albans to support thisproject in practical ways - possibly toassist with furnishings and groundswork, though CCC will provide thesubstance of this."W h e n t h e r e q u i r e m e n t f o r t h i stransitional facility ends, probably intwo to five years, Lions will uplift thebuilding and look at options to placeit into another community in need,where the building can be best utilisedaccording to need.Mayor Bob Parker thanked Lions for theirgenerous contribution to the project. "TheSt Albans community centre is sadlymissed by the locals who used it. This is awonderful initiative that will greatly benefitthe community."LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 7

MD202 CONVENTION 2012Run like well-oiled clockworkNew Plymouth's Devon Hotel was bursting at the seams when 412 Lions, partners and friends descendedupon it for the 2012 Multiple District Convention.Bell Block Puketapu Lions Club, supportedby the Clubs of 202D Zone 6, put on athoroughly professional event under thechairmanship of Jenny Clarke.Friday night's opening ceremony sawCouncil Chairman Jo Cameron practisingher Maori language in response tothe welcome by Wharehoka Wano,and New Plymouth's mayor HarryDuynhoven extolling the virtues of hispatch, including the famous Te RewaRewa Bridge, winner of the InternationalFootbridge Award this year.Local MP Jonathon Young also spoke andshowed that he is well aware of all the goodservice that Lions are involved in.The Flag Ceremony, conducted by PDGAlice McDonald standing on a box to makeup for her lack of inches, involved theDistrict Governors, Council Chairman PeterClarke from Australia, International DirectorEddy Widjanarko and CC Jo unfurling theflags of the United Nations , China, LCI, Fiji,American Samoa, Samoa, Australia, USA,Indonesia and New Zealand.ID Eddy also practised his Maori duringhis brief welcome. "Kia ora. I've beento see that famous bridge - but I don'tbelieve you have a mountain." (Mt Egmont/Taranaki remained stubbornly behindcloud throughout the weekend.)Guest speaker John Perriam from BendigoStation, Central Otago entertained with thefascinating story of the famous "woolly"sheep Shrek."John is an amazing story teller and boy didwe get a treat," said Cambridge Lion PeterKnox. "My sides still hurt from laughing.Quote of the night had to be when Johntold us of the visit to a resthome and Shrekdisgraced himself on the carpet in themiddle of the lounge. John was worried202K District Governor Eric Carter unfurls theflag of Lions Clubs International.until one of the carers came up and said'don't worry about that, John, they all dothat here'. What a treat!"Capping off a fine first night was awonderful performance by the Patea MaoriClub, including the famous song "Poi E".Their act was particularly moving as theyhad lost their beloved "Nanny" Hui Kahujust that morning. Leader of the group PakiHopkins has recently joined the PateaLions Club.Council Chairman Jo Cameron and Mike with Council Chairman-elect Eric Carter and Karen.The Saturday business session wassuperbly run by CC Jo, with a movinginvocation by PCC Sheryl Jensen. IDEddy presented a host of statistics onmembership numbers, etc, and passedon a message from International PresidentTam to say he wanted to personallythank all Lions for all their hard work. Heannounced that incoming InternationalPresident Wayne Madden's theme wouldbe "In the World of Service."LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 8

PID Cliff Heywood introduced PCC SherylJensen as New Zealand's candidate forInternational Director, saying: "Whenelected in Busan, Sheryl will take her placeon the international stage of Lions ClubsInternational. We should be very proud tohave a Lion of Sheryl's calibre speakingfor us on that stage. I truly believe she willbe an outstanding leader."Sheryl pledged her dedication to supportall fellow Lions, and said she trustedherself to deliver. To much clapping andhooting of horns by her fellow RotoruaSulphur City club members, Sheryl wasduly endorsed as the MD202 candidatefor International Director to representconstitutional area 7 in 2012 - 2014.Minutes of the 51st Convention wereaccepted, with no matters arising.Reports from the Council Chairman, DistrictGovernors, Executive Officer, ExecutiveManagement Committee, Legal Counsel,Treasurer, Youth Exchange Chairman,Young Speechmaker Co-ordinator, GMTand GLT, LCIF Co-ordinator, LMLCCTchairman, Child Mobility Foundation andLions Alert chairman were accepted.Miniature "wind wands" made novel votingsticks, modelled on the famous Len Lyesculpture on New Plymouth's waterfront.MD Leos co-ordinator Brian Grounds reportedon the increase of Leos clubs from 13 to 18,and said he knew of nine other schools orareas being canvassed for new clubs. He toldof one Auckland school, Sir Edmund HillaryCollegiate in Otara which has one club Y8-10and another Y11-13 - because there weretoo many kids for just one. Nine Lions havealso been gained from that school, and theOnehunga-Ellerslie Lions Club has gainedan 18-year-old 2nd vice-president who wasformerly president of her Leos club. She iscurrently studying at University and couldn'twait to become a Lion.Patea Lions Club’s newest Lion, Paki Hopkins (centre) performs with the famous Patea Maori Clubduring Friday night’s opening session.The Lions Clubs New Zealand ChildMobility Foundation has a new logo andwill launch a fundraising effort recycling themetal from old television aerials when thecountry goes entirely digital next year.Queenstown Lion Simon H ayespresented on the Heads Up For Kidsproject, recommending the appointmentof District co-ordinators and stepping upthe collection of old money and foreigncurrency, as the surface has barelybeen scratched.Karori Lions Club, as co-ordinators of anational appeal to raise $20,000 per year foran inspirational voyage for young disabledkids on the Spirit of New Zealand, askedClubs to generously respond to their letterthat would be coming out later this year.DG Lynette Batt invited all Lions toattend the 2nd ANZI Pacific Forum inQueenstown in August, promising a"remarkable" experience and the rareopportunity to rub shoulders with manyInternational Officers.Website technical adviser Rex Bullardupdated the Convention on the continuingdevelopment of www.lionsclubs.org.nz,pointing out that if someone was lookingfor a club to join, they'd probably go for onethat had bright and interesting informationon their club web pages, rather than onethat merely had a blank. A challenge hasbeen issued by the Lions of 202L to seewhich District in MD202 will have 100% oftheir Clubs with a landing page on the NewZealand Lions website first.Iain Morrison introduced the Convention tothe inevitability of using social media, withthe message that while current Lions don'tnecessarily have to understand or usesocial networking such as Facebook andTwitter, they have to realise that this is theway future Lions communicate now.Silverstream Lion Rex Bullard reported onthe success of the fundraising campaignfor the new Ronald McDonald House inWellington, with around $750,000 raised. Ifthe magic million can be reached, the LionsDen will occupy an entire floor.Remuera Lion Richard Simmons toldthe Convention of the success of theClub Excellence Process, offeringsupport to any Club that chose to takeup the opportunity to keep itself freshLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 9

MD202 CONVENTION 2012and interesting.Lions Club of Wigram members invitedall Lions to the 53rd MD Conventionin Christchurch 12 - 14 April nextyear, with hard-to-resist examplesof accommodation (a tent), personalfacilities (a bucket loo), innovative roadcone art and above all - high-fashionapparel in fluorescent orange or green.That's what they do in Christchurchthese days.PDG Roger Robinson presented plansfor the 2014 Convention at BucklandsBeach, Auckland.DG Eric Carter from 202K will be the newCouncil Chairman.The Sunday Remembrance andRededication was high energy andabsolutely "like no other!""I don't think I have ever laughed and burntup so much energy in a Sunday session,"said Lion Peter Knox. "Major MaureenAshton from the Salvation Army led thechurch service and one would honestlysay that she was a real sparkplug and wasrunning on methanol."Major Maureen was a member of MountView Lions Club for many years andher husband is a member of ElthamLions Club. Her inspirational service wasaccompanied by uplifting music from theSacred Heart Trebles, a charming choir of11 to 13 year olds.P C C S h e r y lJensen presentsher credentialsfor InternationalD i r e c t o r ,accompanied byhusband Kevin.PresentationsInternational President's Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to PDG Ray Lindsay - for supplyingvehicles to conventions for many years; the Lions Club of Maniototo (DG Lynette) for planting 340,000trees; Convention chairman Jenny Clarke.International President's Leadership Medalswere presented to PDG Ian Packwood - for30 years of work with the sight impairedand particularly in the Islands; PCCDennis O'Rourke - for presentation andfacilitation skills at Institutes; PDG RaewynClearwater and PDG Philip Lynch for theirpost-earthquakes efforts in Christchurch;and Ken Huberts for technical assistanceat Convention.Queenstown Lion Simon Hayes receivedan International President's Medal forhaving the foresight to present the oldmoney project, and his ongoing interestand support.Verla Dawick received HonouredMembership of the Lloyd Morgan LionsClubs Charitable Trust for all her voluntarywork at the Lions Multiple District office.Gifts were given to both ID EddyWidjanarko and MD 201 CC Peter Clarkeas an act of friendship and in appreciationof their attendance.Council Chairman’s certificates ofappreciation were given to all members ofthe convention committee (including EODavid), PDG Alice McDonald for her flagceremony, Lion Bill Eliason for videoingthe Friday evening session, MajorMaureen Ashton for officiating over theSunday service, pianist Joy Eliason,cellist Margaret McConachie, TheSacred Heart Trebles (school choir). Aspecial certificate was presented to IDEddy Widjanarko in recognition of thedonation MD202 made on his behalfto LCIF towards a progressive MelvinJones Fellowship AwardLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 10

202D DG Gay Harvey with the winning Convention team, chaired by Jenny Clarke (centre front).Multiple District AwardsPat Ryan Youth AwardCambridge Lions Club for their Cambridge High Schoolmentoring projectRon Rowe Bulletin AwardBethlehem-Te Puna Lions Club - editor Alf HolstRon Usmar Award for Community ServiceMethven Lions Club for their Mountain Thunder StreetRace. Of special note was that they got "Lions" mentionedin every one of the numerous newspaper article, mostlyin the first paragraphKeith Mitchell Membership Growth, Extension andRetention AwardKatikati Lions Club with 10 new members. Other Clubs alsohad 10 new members, but Katikati's percentage growthwas the greatestLEI AwardMasterton Holdsworth Lions Club for their community toylibrary for blind and low vision children projectLCI Environmental Photo ContestDG Robert Naismith for his photograph entitled "Clay Cliffsat Omarama"Supercharged Major Maureen Ashton revs up the conventioneers atSunday’s Remembrance and Rededication Service.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 11

wrence (Waipu) with Terry Hemmingsen (Ruapehu).V-powered Bell Block and Districts Lions (back from left) Alan May-Gurnick, Margaret Stening,Barrie Stening and Elizabeth Crawley; (front from left) David Lea (Kairanga), Yvonne Brook andChris Wright (Bell Block and Districts).Quick as lightening – the District Governors-elect and partners looked very flash.ers, Ruby Kupe, Barry Quin, Lynley Quin, DawnMeter-reading must wait when the rugby’s on.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 13

COUNCIL CHAIRMAN'S REPORTFruitful final meetingThe Council of Governors met for their final Council meeting in New Plymouth during the week prior to the MD202Convention. We were privileged to have in attendance our International Director Eddy Widjanarko and MD201 CouncilChairman Peter Clarke and Denise. During the meeting ID Eddy Widjanarko reported on some of the decisions madeat the recent International Board meeting held in San Francisco and CC Peter Clarke spoke about membership, websiteenquiries, recent survey results and a few significant projects being undertaken by the Lions of Australia.Council made the followingappointments;Lion Ian (Chalky) White, to a secondand final 3-year term on the ExecutiveManagement Committee (EMC).DG Eric Carter, for a second and final3-year term, as Lion Liaison for the NZRoyal Foundation for the Blind.PCC Kevin Wall as the Liver TransplantTrust Lion Liaison.There were no applications received forthe Diabetes Liaison; however anothervacancy notice will be placed in the nextedition of the Lion magazine.There were no applications for the EyeGlass Recycling liaison position; howeverBarry Thrupp has agreed to remain in thedirectory as the contact person.Council ratified the followingappointments within the LMLCCT forthe 2012-2013 year:LMLCCT Advisory Trustees for2012-2013PDG Norm Thomson (Chairman)PID Lucie ArmstrongPDG Robert MillerLion Keith KenderdineLion Alan JamiesonLMLCCT Trust Officers for 2012-2013Lion Ian WattTreasurerPCC David GaultLegal & Minute SecretaryPCC Brian WattAdministrationPDG Roger RobinsonFinance (Co-opted)In addition to the regular reports thatwere received, reviewed and adopted bythe Council of Governors, a number ofsignificant decisions were made duringthe meeting and they include:Adopting the financial plans and budgetsfor the 2012-2013 Lions' year.Council adopted, in principle, a set ofgoverning rules for all projects - subject toreview by Legal Counsel. Once reviewed,Council agrees to implement theseProcesses for Approval and Conditionsof Approval for projects and these will becommunicated to all clubs and be placedon the website for future referral.As a result of the Independent LionsSurvey, Council has adopted a number ofstrategies, as recommended by the EMC, toincrease and strengthen our membership.These include the adoption of the ClubGrowth Programme, the Club ExcellenceProcess and LCI Zone Chairman TrainingProgramme as MD GMT and MD GLTprogrammes and the development of anorientation programme and an IncomingOfficer Training programme suitable foruse within all Districts.Council has accepted the quote fromInterspeed for increased security featuresand other improvements to the website.Some of these enhancements include"Locate a Club" which will enable the publicto search an interactive map to find LionsClubs and retrieve their contact details.There will be an online members' directory,online ordering for club supplies and onlineregistrations for conventions, both withonline payment facilities.Council has decided on changes to theprinted version of the 2012-2013 MDDirectory. It is acknowledged that most ofthe information printed at the front of theDirectory is also available online and does notneed to be duplicated within the directory.As a result of the Womens Focus GroupWorkshop in Christchurch a number ofrecommendations were put to Council.The Council recommends to all Districtsthat they hold a similar workshop. Thiswill enable Districts to develop their ownstrategies for future women membershipgrowth and leadership development. Councilalso recommends each District appoints a"Women & Family Co-ordinator" to be partof their District GMT and GLT teams.A number of organisations have requestedsupport from Lions with their various fundraisingprojects and Council has given permission tothe following organisations to contact LionsClubs and recommends to all Districts thattheir clubs support the Neonatal Trust's "Ride 4Life 2013" project, Camp Quality's "Odd ShoeDay" project and Lions Clubs New ZealandChild Mobility Foundation's (CMF) "Old Aerialsfor Youth" project.Lions interested in hearing more of ourCouncil meeting decisions should contacttheir District Governor directly.It has been an honour to represent theLions of New Zealand and a privilegeto serve as Council Chairman. I thankthe Governors for their tireless work,their input, support and friendship. I wishCCE Eric Carter and Karen an equallysuccessful and fulfilling year.Jo CameronCouncil ChairmanLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 14

SPECTACLE RECYCLINGCall to keep those glasses comingBy Linda GeorgeLions Clubs International have long been involved in projects supporting people with vision impairment.It all began with Helen Keller, blind anddeaf since two years of age, when shechallenged Lions to become "Knights ofthe Blind" in a crusade against darkness.Lions accepted Helen's challenge and inthe years since then have been involvedworldwide with a number of programmes- particularly in third-world countries, tohelp those with poor eyesight. Here inNew Zealand Lions clubs continue on withthe cause.In 1990 Christchurch's Ferrymead clubbegan spectacle recycling. Initially theclub spent $9500 on optical equipment toenable the team to sterilise the specs andrecalibrate the magnification and type ofeach lens. They were then packaged andpassed on to Volunteer OphthalmologistServices Overseas (VOSO) for distributionthroughout the Pacific Islands.In 1996, Papakura Lions also purchasedequipment to process eyeglass recycling.Sunglasses are also collected - particularlyhelpful in the Islands for use by those whohave had cataract operations.So while it is not a new project, StuartHintz of Remuera Lions is keen for clubsthroughout the country to help revitaliseit. Stuart has a passion for helping peoplewith vision impairments. He spent manyyears as a missionary in the Pacific, India,Pakistan and Nepal. He speaks fluentSamoan. A member of Remuera Lions forsix years, Stuart has been involved in thespectacle collection project ever since.a foremost Lions ethos to reach out to thosein need - and it was a foundation project forLions, because of Helen Keller, to help thosewho have vision impairment."Auckland optical dispensers Specsavers,in both Henderson and Newmarket, haveoffered their services as collection centresfor people to drop off their old spectacles.Other Specsavers and some independentoptometrists around the country alsooffer their stores as collection centres.Specsavers Henderson recently collected700 pairs in a couple of weeks!Specsavers Newmarket co-ownersKathy Rutgers and Ada Liu say they arecommitted to helping provide the bestpossible eye care to those in need - evenfurther afield than New Zealand."In remote areas of the Pacific Islands,accessibility to eye care can often bevery limited due to clinic locations anda shortage of trained optometrists," saidMrs Rutgers. "Ada and I are passionateabout supporting Lions as they improvethe quality of life for people by providingglasses and enabling people to seeproperly; an opportunity they would neverotherwise have.Vice president of Remuera Lions SamuelMusuku is also a student of optometry atthe University of Auckland."It is so important, providing help for peoplewho are less fortunate," he said. "Everydayactivities can become a real burden whenyou are sight impaired, so these glasseswill be well received and give hope andhappiness to those in need."So come on Lions - get in behindthe revitalisation of this incrediblyworthwhile project and set up collectioncentres in your area. If you would likeany assistance or further information,please contact Stuart Hintz, phone(09) 630 8337, mob (027) 485 1825,or email stuarthintz@yahoo.comTo find out more, including theaddresses to send the glasses to, goto www.lionsclubs.org.nz/spectacles"I feel we are privileged to live in NewZealand - and because we are privileged tolive in this country, we need to give somethingback to people who are less fortunate. It isRemuera Lion Stuart Hintz receives more than 700 pairs of glasses collected at SpecsaversHenderson over a couple of weeks.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 15

OUR FAR SOUTHKairanga Lion's voyage of discoveryThe opportunity to be part of philanthropist Gareth Morgan's Antarctic eco-expedition "Our Far South"crew, was simply a once in a lifetime opportunity not to be missed, says Kairanga Lions bulletin editor,Richard Ramson.One of 50 voyagers, Ramson returned inMarch after 30 days aboard the "Spirit ofEnderby", a 72m Russian icebreaker whichdeparted from Bluff on the OFS expeditionon 10 February.OFS is the region south of Stewart Islandand includes the sub-Antarctic Islands, partof New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone,the massive Southern Ocean, and RossDependency, which is part of Antarctica thatNew Zealand lays claim over.Put simply, OFS is about our own backyardand the issues facing this chilly, diverse,fragile environment. The region is alsoentrenched in our history and heritage fromthe early whaling days to the explorationage of the likes of Shackleton, Ammundsen,Scott and our own Sir Edmond Hillary.Morgan recruited a cross-section ofKiwis who could make a contribution tothe OFS voyage. The trip's goal was toraise awareness and inform Kiwis aboutthe region and get them talking aboutthe issues facing OFS, such as climatechange, mineral exploration, tourism,territorial aspirations, overfishing andprotection of biodiversity.Richard has always been an intrepidtraveller and has visited Europe, Asia,North America, East and North Africa.In 2007, Richard and a friend travelled in a4x4 from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet on"what would have to be one of the world'sworst roads". A "slight detour" allowedthem to reach Mt Everest Base Camp(5200m) in Tibet. In 2009, Richard and hiswife Jacki travelledvia overland truckthrough East Africa,including ascendingthe summit of MtKilimanjaro (5895m)on Christmas Day.Many of Richard'stravels have beenbased around scubadiving, mainly in thePacific region fromSolomon Islands toFrench Polynesia.Ramson says:"When looking atthe issues facingOFS, there are theskeptics on one sideand the alarmists onthe other side; somewhere in the middleare the facts."A question some may ask is: "Why shouldwe care about OFS?"Let's start with the sub-Antarctic Islands.Land in the Southern Ocean is scarce,so the sub-Antarctic Islands are like liferafts for animals breeding and feeding. Bysome, they have been called the SouthernSerengeti, or the Galapagos of the Antarctic.Their isolation makes them home to manyunique and rare species of animals andplants including flowering mega-herbs,elephant seals, New Zealand's own sealion, fur seals and albatrosses.The first major project to come out of thetrip is the "Million Dollar Mouse" projectreleased by Gareth Morgan on 28 March,to raise one million dollars to eradicatemice from the Antipodes Islands.New Zealand is a world leader in pesteradication and DOC has already beensuccessful with pest eradication on sub-Antarctic Enderby Island and CampbellIsland. Now the wildlife and plants areregenerating and birds like snipe and tealhave re-colonised Campbell Island.Other ideas being pursued by crewmembers on the OFS voyage are aresearch station on the Auckland Islandsand the Ocean Exploration Centre inWellington. DOC and scientists areworking on the possibility of a researchstation on the Auckland Islands to improveour understanding of the islands, theocean, the climate and the wildlife. Therewill be a national workshop for scientiststo progress the idea.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 16

Richard at Shackleton's Nimrod Hut, Cape Royds.During their visit to the Ross Sea, the OFScrew visited McMurdo Station and ScottBase. A steep, snowy climb to the top ofObservation Hill gave panoramic viewsover both bases, out to Mt Erebus, MtTerror and across the Southern Ross Seato Mt Discovery. Ramson said a personalgoal was visiting Shackleton's Nimrod Hutat Cape Royds, Scott's Terra Nova Hut atCape Evans, and Scott's Discovery Hutat Hut Point."The hut looked as if Scott and Shackletonhad just walked out the doors. Everythingwas as it was 100 years ago; pants stillhanging to dry above the long sinceextinguished fire and cans of food andother supplies cluttering the shelves."An OFS nationwide road show over thenext few months will share the science,knowledge and the facts learned fromscientists and experts on the voyage.For more information about the Our FarSouth voyage, upcoming projects and how toget involved, visit www.ourfarsouth.orgSeals fighting, Auckland Islands. The72m icebreaker "Spirit of Enderby" inthe background.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 17

KAMO LIONSYou can't have your cake and eat it tooOr can you? District 202J's conventions over the past three years have seen the development of a projectthat has added to the involvement of clubs in a rather novel way. The Child Mobility Decorated CakeCompetition has had great support each year, and turned fun into funds.Child Mobility Trust Co-ordinator, GennyHanning, while attending a conventionin Australia about 5 years ago, spotteda project which appealed to her. Whenshe saw the fun Lions were having overa cake auction she thought, "We coulddo that, too."The idea stuck in her mind and sheplanned how to adapt it to raise funds fora Hart Walker for a child ready to be fitted.After starting in 2010, the interest hasincreased each year and entries are a realsurprise. This year, to Genny's delight, nineclubs entered cakes in the competition.The project has two parts. Firstly, thecompetition. Clubs are invited to enter acake in the competition decorated to aparticular theme.The themes held so far have been "Easter,""Birthday" and this year, "On the Ball." Thecakes are displayed at the Child Mobilitystand, where a moneybox is providedfor each cake. Thecake that collectsthe most donationsis announced asthe winner at theconvention functionon Saturday night.(Some clubs start tofill the voting pottlebeforehand by finingthose not attendingconvention!)Secondly, the auction.This is held at theevening function,and the excitementis electric as Lionsand clubs competein a jovial way tooutbid each other. Anauctioneer sets thescene, and the gameis on. Imagine a cake raising $100! Well,sit down and enjoy the unbelievable. Thisyear the top price was $2100 and twoothers went for $2000 each!The grand total at the end of the nightwas $10,189:10 from 9 cakes, enough topurchase a new Hart Walker for a childapproved the week before.Could this simple idea be food for thoughtfor other districts?Left: The top price at the auction went to GreenIsland's cake - Eden Park during the WorldCup. Mayfield club outbid Green Island andpaid $2100. Green Island club then outbidMayfield and bought their cake, a rugby fieldwith a chocolate rugby ball, for $2000. Othercakes were sold at auction for $1600, $1000,$1000,$625, $600, $500 and $420.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 18

CHILD MOBILITYExtraordinary children deserve our bestBy Ralph GracieAs I write this six monthly update describing the Hart Walker Clinic hosted in Johnsonville I find my thoughtsare not so much with the children whom we served and the delight it is for me to be able to contribute tothem, but that I'm thinking of the children we usually see but who were too ill to be able to attend. Of the sixchildren we had scheduled to attend the clinic, only two were well enough to come.Cody: What a hero! Forever charming andsmiling. Mother Laurene tells us that Codyis on a promise - walk one lap around hisschool playing area and he earns himself ahelicopter ride. And he's going for it!Alyssa: Another wee charmer.Uncomplaining, despite having had toundergo multiple surgical proceduresaround her hips. Still bruised from thoseops, and consequently sore where thehip support brace comes into contact withher. The weekend was a family affair asAlyssa, accompanied by brother Michael,Mum Donna and Dad John were off to visitTe Papa, followed by a stay in Wellingtonwith the rellies.Stevie: Too unwell to attend.Elias: Unable to attend.Sam: Mother Cyd, rang to advise thatSam has had no energy of late and assuch she did not want to put Sam throughthe additional trauma of strapping himinto his Hart Walker as necessary for theadjustments to be made.Jake: Mother Nicola came along alone toexpress her appreciation of the programmeand what it had done for Jake, and to saygoodbye. She told us that Jake's physicaland medical condition was deterioratingand that his professional advisers were nowadvocating a move to palliative care.This is life though, and as our orthotistfrom Sydney, Stuart Kerr, reminded us, thelong-term prognosis for these children isn'tgreat, but it's what we do to make their livesNOW to be the best that we can, and thatis what counts - making the lives of theseextraordinary and uncomplaining childrenthe best that we can.I acknowledge and thank the JohnsonvilleScout Group who continue to support thisproject by making their hall freely availablefor this very worthwhile project.Old aerials for youthThe newly formed Lions Clubs New Zealand Child Mobility Foundation is planning a massive, nationwide,non-ferrous scrap metal drive when the country goes digital and TV aerials become redundant.Most households also have old taps, bits of copper piping, leadwaste pipes,etc.Lions Clubs would need to organise a local collection point andset date so that all the metal would arrive during an appointedtimeframe. It would be ideal to have a large car trailer or truckfor each metal type so it could be sorted on the spot. Thesevehicles would need to be parked securely overnight, or beforeselling to the local scrap metal dealer.Lions could then send their profits to the CMF or retain somefor their own youth projects.For the sake of advertising, a nationwide date would be ideal.For more information email cmf@lionsclubs.org.nzLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 19

LEO CLUBSKids clamour for community serviceBy Iain MorrisonNew Leos Clubs have doubled to 18 in the last 12 months and another 10 new clubs in New Zealand and thePacific Islands are in the pipeline, with the surge of interest flowing through to new young members joining Lions.National Leos co-ordinator Brian Grounds,a secondary school teacher at the SirEdmund Hillary Collegiate in SouthAuckland, has started two Leos Clubsat his school and inspired eight fellowteachers and numerous parents of Leos tojoin his Onehunga-Ellerslie Lions Club."As soon as Leos reach the minimum agethey want to become Lions," Mr Groundssays. "Our club has members rangingfrom 18 to 78 with the average age of themembership at just 35 years."A survey conducted for Lions last yearshowed that 79 percent of New ZealandLions are aged over 60 years. Mr Groundshas grown his club younger by sparkingfamily interest in leadership, teamworkand helping others through Leos andLions Clubs.While the interest extended across alldecile schools, it was particularly noticeablein low decile schools where there is a highLeos national co-ordinator Brian Grounds thought he was in trouble when he was pulled over bythe traffic police recently, only to be told he hadn't done anything wrong but the officer had seenthe Lions emblem on the back of his vehicle and wanted to have a chat with him.proportion of Maori and Pacific Islandfamilies, he said."The influence of Leos continues to grow.Leos get involved in fundraising projectsand non-Leos get roped in to help theirmates and many then decide they want toget more active by joining the club."The young people learn from working witholder Lions, but it goes both ways and olderLions will also learn a lot from the Leos," hesaid. "More than $5500 has been raised atSir Edmund Hillary Collegiate for the FirstXV rugby team, a Pacific Island culturaltrip, helping the girls' volleyball teamto a national tournament, the breakfastclub, and a cash contribution to LCIF," MrGrounds said.Leos have also helped raise money forthe refurbishment and restoration ofSir Edmund Hillary's house, which wasgifted to the school that carries his nameand moved from Remuera where it wasoriginally built by Sir Ed, who was a Lionin the 1960s and 70s.Leos with their new barbeque that was pressed into service a few hours after it was assembled.Local Mad Butcher Peter Martin, who is also a Lion, supplies the sausages for Leos to cook andfundraise. From left: Junior Mu, Santana Waiariki, Terryquis Oaariki, Tiani Varu."Hillary House" will become an adult educationcentre which will enable the school to boastthat it enrols toddlers, primary school,secondary school through to parents andgrandparents all on the one campus.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 20

NELSON HOST LIONSDonated bike gets boy revved upYoung Nelson motocross rider Ethan Couper had only had his new bike for three weeks before it was stolenlast October. Now, thanks to Nelson Host Lions Club and the motocross community, the 12-year-old is theproud owner of a new YZ85 bike worth about $3500.Ethan had worked two jobs and beensaving up for more than a year to get hisoriginal bike, which was later found burningon the side of the road.He said he felt very grateful to all thosewho contributed to the new bike, whichfeatures customised graphics includinghis name."I really appreciate it. I reckon it'sawesome."Club president Mike McBride said the clubgot involved because it wanted to supporta young man who had worked hard forwhat he wanted."Here was a young chap who had beendoing something for himself and gets hisbike, and then these yobbos go out andsteal it and destroy it."Ethan's mother, Alana Pyne, said shewas amazed by the generosity of thecommunity. Before they heard aboutthe support, Ethan had already startedworking to earn the money to pay foranother bike himself."It would have been a long timebefore he got another one, and withthe community support he wouldstill be out there. He would have gotthere eventually. He was preparedto do it again."Ethan Couper celebrates taking his new motocross bike for a spin with (from left) MotoX Events directors Bryan Heaphy and Dan Shallcrass holding theburnt out remains of the olad bike, and Nelson Host Lions Club president Mike McBride. Photo: Patrick Hamilton/Nelson MailLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 21

BETHLEHEM-TE PUNA LIONS/ LMLCCTVan brings freedom to disabledBy Linda GeorgeWhen Stuart Gray was elected president of Bethlehem-Te Puna Lions Club in July last year, he decided thathe wanted to do something positive for Avalon Centre, where he works as a training co-ordinator, and moreimportantly, for the many disabled people the organisation looks after."I wanted to get a new van for Avalon. It'simportant to have a safe, reliable vehicle -something that isn't breaking down all thetime - for the disabled people."After considering various quotes, the clubsettled on an 11-seater Ford transit van.The Lloyd Morgan Lions Clubs CharitableTrust contributed $10,000 and $28,000came from the Guardian Trust/LongmuirTrust. The remainder came from somehard, nose-to-the-grindstone fundraisingby Bethlehem-Te Puna club members.Avalon Incorporated provides trainingto people with disabilities - some of themodules include learning social skills,food shopping, out in the community, andtowards independence - all of which requiresome community participation and inclusion.Trainees are included in local performingarts, movie, swimming and beach days,picnics, field days, maintaining gardens atthe Te Puna Quarry and overnight trips awayto Auckland, Waitomo Caves, Coromandel.They volunteer at the Waipuna Hospice(gardening), Te Puke Recycle Centre,Meals on Wheels and collecting for HeartFoundation, Blind Foundation and CancerSociety street appeals.Handing over the keys to the new van."For our trainees this is often the onlyopportunity they get to access thesecommunity-based activities. It gives thema great sense of confidence, self-worth anda feeling of inclusion to be able to do whatmost people take for granted," says DebbieThomas, Avalon executive assistant andfunding manager.The three main areas Avalon offers itsclients are business enterprise (offeringpaid employment to 62 people withdisabilities - in kiwifruit and avocadogrowing, mail house, general packaging,woodwork, sewing and engineering),people support enterprise (personallife experiences through its creative,cooking, horticultural and day serviceunit) and training (offers the opportunityto achieve NZQA certificates and to givethem the feeling of being just like theirbrothers and sisters, who have achievedNZQA certificates)."Members of the Bethlehem - Te Puna LionsClub worked tirelessly towards this project,organising raffles and sausage sizzles.Parents, caregivers and Avalon traineesbought tickets and one parent gave a verybeautiful donation," says Stuart.As a bonus, it is good advertising forBethlehem-Te Puna club; its logo adornsthe new van.Avalon has 20 staff, and transports 120people with disabilities to its site, 20 kmoutside Tauranga, on 2.5 hectares oforganic kiwifruit and avocado orchard,each day - by van and bus.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 22

FIJI FLOODINGLions bring relief to stricken villagesBy PDG Carl PerrinFiji has suffered more than its fair share of flooding in the first three months of this year.Many thousands of people in theareas of Lautoka, Ba, Tavua andRakiraki were affected with housesand belongings washed away. Somedeaths were recorded. 3211 schoolchildren were among those affectedwith their school supplies destroyedby the floods.I personally went west to look at thedisaster areas and found houses with tinwalls ripped apart by the flood waters, mudin some cases up to three feet above thedoor line, which means that the housespossibly cannot be lived in again. A twostoreyhouse shown on TV had been sobadly damaged it had sunk one whole storyinto the ground.A request was made to 202K DG EricCarter for assistance and within ashort period a grant of $10,000 wasforwarded to the Lions Club of Suvafrom the Lloyd Morgan Lions ClubsCharitable Trust.Because of the damage and heartachethat had been caused to many families ofthe area a request was further made foran emergency grant of $US10,000 fromLCIF. This was also forthcoming and sentto the Lions Club of Suva.Quotes were received from severalsupermarkets situated in Fiji andespecially in the affected areas wherethe food could be uplifted. Lautoka, Baand Tavua-Vatukoula, the three clubs inthe Western Division where the floodshad occurred, sent members out to theDelivering a food parcel by four-wheel drive as many roads were impassable.various areas to survey where help was before the LMLCCT and was granted.most required.A total of 1192 food parcels wereFour hundred and fifty food parcels were delivered to families desperately indistributed by Lions, with all members need and forgotten by a lot of people.assisting with the distribution.Ten water tanks were also purchasedOn 30 March a further tropical depressionfrom the LMLCCT grant and will bepassed over Viti Levu and caused thedelivered to the very badly hit villages.worst floods in eight decades. We were inThese will have the Lions decal attachedthe process of trying to help those affectedto the tank.from the January/February floods and Many families were overwhelmed bythis episode caused more havoc to those the support shown from the Lions ofalready suffering.Fiji and in some cases fell at the feet ofTowns like Ba and Tavua were badly the club members in appreciation, withdamaged, with flooding in Ba three to four tears running down their faces. A lot ofmetres deep in the main street. Nadi, the families had been forgotten by otherstourist area of Fiji was almost destroyed and the Lions had been first on the sceneand was not opened for shopping until 10 in some cases.April - some shops still have not opened A lot of misery has been caused by an "Actand may not.of God" to a country where the people areDG Eric offered more help if required; a fairly poor. The crops and sugar cane thatfurther application for $10,000 was placed has been destroyed is unbelievable.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 23

MANA LIONSCraft fair with extras pleased the crowdsBy Bob WelshIn 2011 Mana Lions dipped their toes in the water and helped with the inaugural "Eat Drink and Be Crafty"craft fair based at Battle Hill Park, Pauatanhui.The experience was not too pleasant butwe thought that with a bit of tweaking thiscould be a fantastic event.The Lions organising committee hadassistance from Mel and Chloe whostarted the event last year but recognisedthat they needed some experience in thenon-craft areas.We aimed to have an event thatticked several boxes - donation tocharity, only local crafts, children'sgames, relaxed family atmosphere andcommunity involvement.Battle Hill is a fantastic location,immediately putting a visitor at ease witha dell surrounded by wide open spaces.Which is just as well because the Life FlightHelicopter needed some room to make agrand sweeping entrance. When parkedup it was soon a favourite of every malechild aged under 35.On entering the park, visitors to the fair werefaced by two huge banners declaring thatthis was "Another Project by MANA LIONS".Straight off the public were in no doubt thatthis was a Lions initiative. If things wentwrong there was nowhere to hide.Crowds at Mana Lions' day at the fair.The new traffic system kept the carsmoving and parking marshals wearingbright Lions bibs slotted cars into spacesin the three paddocks. A well-oiledprocess that worked like a dream.A short walk from the car park led thepunters to the horse shoe shaped delland 110 stalls (only 64 last year) sellingall types of local crafts. The fair has astandard to maintain so all the stalls werevetted to make sure they were visuallypresentable. The crafts have to be madein NZ - no imported stuff.A variety of food stalls kept the multitudefed. Again only quality products wereon sale; oven cooked pizza made fromscratch and cooked to order, a selectionof sausage sizzlers, paella cooked on thespot, French patisseries and an assortmentof candy for those with a sweet tooth. Toswill this down there was homemadelemonade, local beers, wines, ginger beerand hot drinks.To keep the kids happy we organised someold-fashioned games; egg and spoon race,three-legged race, 50m dash and a sackrace. Due to popular demand, at times weeven let the adults have a go.Was the day a success? Four to fivethousand punters gave positive feedback,stallholders are already committing to 2013,kids went home tired and slept well, LifeFlight were $4200 better off, club membersturned out in force, which was excellent, andthe wind-down barbecue at the end was afitting way to finish the day.An old-fashioned sack race amused the visiting childrenWill we be back next year? Hell, yes!Bigger and better!LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 24

GORE PAKEKE LIONSRecyclers set a good exampleKnapdale School pupils learned about how rubbish is dealt with in the Gore District during visits to the GoreLandfill and Gore Pakeke Lions recycling centre.Principal Lynette Bruce said the visits werepart of a year-long study about rubbish inthe district. The pupils started the study inFebruary with a rubbish-collecting trip tothe Otamita Bridge over the Mataura River,about 11km north of Gore. They also kept aweek's worth of school rubbish and sortedit to see what types of rubbish were beingthrown away."We went to the landfill and the recyclingcentre to see what happens to the rubbishwhen it leaves here," Mrs Bruce said.The school shredded its paper rubbish andre-used what it could in the school's henhouse and compost but the rest was sentto the Lions recycling centre.It was good for the pupils to observe agroup in the community who had seen aneed and done something about it."I think that's a really positive thing for thekids to see - that these men come herein their own time and do this service forthe community," she said. "The childrenwere blown away by the fact there was somuch rubbish."Meanwhile, the Gore Pakeke Lions' paper,cardboard and plastic recycling programmehas been recognised with an InternationalPresident's Certificate of Appreciation,presented at 202F's District Convention."It came completely out of the blue. Wedidn't know about it," said Donald Carter."As president it gave me great pleasure toaccept it on behalf of the club."They recycle about 900 tonnes of paper,plastic and cardboard a year, he said."It's a tremendous effort - the averageage of our members is 77. It's ineveryone's interest to know that wasteis being recycled to the betterment ofthe community."The club will continue their recyclingprogramme even though Gore DistrictCouncil is introducing a household kerbsiderecycling service.Knapdale School pupils (from left) Catherine Christie, 8, Hayden Graves, 8, Mikayla Horne, 12, and Jeremy Mwangi, 11, help Pakeke Lion Douglas Dixiesort paper at the Lions recycling centre. Photo: Sandy Eggleston/Gore EnsignLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 25

ALEXANDRA LIONSRabbits raise funds and eyebrowsBy Lynda van Kempen/Otago Daily TimesThe odds were tipped slightly in the favour of the hunted and not the hunter this year, and the number ofrabbits killed at Alexandra Lions Club's annual Great Easter Bunny Hunt was the lowest in nine years."There was lots of cover around, so theodds were on the rabbits' side this time,and they were in hiding," hunt convenerDave Ramsay said.A total of 10,424 rabbits were killed by 36teams during the 24-hour event, whichbegan on Good Friday morning. The haulwas displayed in Pioneer Park, Alexandra,on Saturday.Teams of hunters from all over NewZealand took part, and the SouthernHopper Stoppers, an Otago-Southland-Canterbury team led by professionalrabbiter Ray Moffat, of Cromwell, won thehunt, bagging 1035 rabbits.This year's tally was less than half lastyear's total of 22,904 but the hunters andMr Ramsay said there were still plenty ofrabbits around, but more growth, so theanimals were harder to find and shoot.After being counted in Pioneer Park onSaturday afternoon, the rabbits werepicked up by the Alexandra Scouts, whocarry out the exercise as a fundraiser. Theanimals were then taken to a farm propertywell out of town, to be buried in a pit.As well as dispatching rabbits, the 432hunters in the event also disposed of 475hares, 42 possums and 34 stoats.The bunny hunt is organised by theAlexandra Lions Club and last year theclub donated $10,000, mostly raisedthrough the event, to an upgrade of the StJohn base in Alexandra.Bunny hunt 'seems a little crazy'says visiting DaneDanish journalist and hunter ThomasNissen has a new appreciation for thescale of the rabbit problem in CentralOtago, after shadowing the winning teamin the Great Easter Bunny Hunt.Mr Nissen heard about the unusual eventwhile hunting in New Zealand two yearsago. This Easter he covered the event fora Danish hunting magazine while followingthe fortunes of the team that won the hunt,the Southern Hopper Stoppers."I really liked it, but it seems a little crazyfor Europeans. We would not have thechance to do something like this. Thereare a lot of 'green' organisations thatwould make a problem out of somethinglike this," he said.Mr Nissen was amazed at the scale of therabbit problem."I have more understanding as to why thisevent happens. I can see the problem witherosion and the barren country and pilesof rabbit dirt ..."During the 21 years of the event, a total of253,735 rabbits have been killed.There was no similar event to the bunnyhunt anywhere in the world, Mr Nissensaid."For us, rabbits are not a problem andeven hares are not a problem. In fact, theendemic population of hares is declining,so measures are being looked at to boostthat population."Seeing the haul from the weekend's shootlaid out in a public park for counting wasanother surprise for him, as was learningthe rabbit carcasses were destined forcompost.Danish journalist Thomas Nissen was in Central Otago covering the Great Easter Bunny Huntfor a Danish hunting magazine. Seeing the haul from the event laid out in Pioneer Park was aneye-opener for him. Photo courtesy of Otago Daily Times/Otago Images"It seems strange you can't use them, butI understand why."LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 26

LIONS QUESTMaking a difference - one school at a timeBy PDG Marian McWhaIn April 2010, the Multiple District Convention was advised that the Lions Quest Board of Trustees waswinding up, and the sales office closed, which should have meant, in effect, the end of the Lions Questprogrammes in New Zealand, after 23 years.However, as a teacher and a Lion whohas been involved with Lions Quest formost of those 23 years, I was not aboutto let that happen. Since that time, I haverun Lions Quest from my home, on avoluntary basis.I have to say that over the last two years, Ihave not had the full support of all DistrictGovernors, although I have been requiredto report to every Council meeting in thattime. This year only three Districts have aLion designated as Lions Quest Chairman,and I thank those District Governors, andthe Chairmen, for their positive action.Despite this lack of support from Lions,the work has continued - schools stillwant resources, which I am able to supply,and teachers still want training - whichis not so easy to organise under thesecircumstances. However, in the first termof this school year, I have organised threeLions Quest teacher training workshops -two whole schools, one in Christchurchand the other in Whakatane - and acatch-up in the Auckland area, where alarge intermediate school wants to keepall their staff trained. I would like to sharewith you a word of appreciation receivedfrom Whakatane Intermediate:"Thirty-two of our staff participated(including senior management).We all thought the programme contentwas relevant to our situation, becauseit complemented our vision of providingopportunities to the emerging adolescentof taking opportunities to better oneself ina caring, safe, nurturing environment.Cuddly Q-bears are used as rewards in junior classes.Thank you Lions, for providing the tools relevant and needed now than ever, afterto support our investment for the future now being in New Zealand schools for. . . our young people"25 years.According to the latest LCIF newsletter I do thank those who stopped to talk"Shining a Light on Youth", Lions Quest to me at the LCIF display at the recentwas featured at Lions Day at the United Multiple District Convention and took awayNations as the best social emotional material. I am happy to send any Lion,learning school programme available. I Lioness or Leo Club or individual memberagree with that, as would the thousands of information sheets to pass on to your localteachers already using Skills for Growing or schools, and also a sheet showing howSkills for Adolescence in New Zealand. your Lions Club can benefit from schoolinvolvement through Lions Quest.LCIF Chairman Scruggs says that theprogrammes have affected over 12 million Make a difference in the lives of the youngyoung people and is now in 72 countries. people in your community - becomeIt is estimated that each day, over 200,000 involved with the Lions Quest Life SkillsNew Zealand students are involved in programmes at your local school.Lions Quest programmes.Executive Officer David DawickMy question to you is this - are the Newwill be meeting with LCIF QuestZealand Lions right when they say thatpersonnel while he is attending thethese programmes are no longer relevant?international convention in Busan inOr are the educators and Lions in thoseJune, with a view to reinvigoratingother 71 countries, and the LCIF ChairmanQuest programmes here in NZ.right? As a teacher, I know they are moreLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 27

WOMEN'S FOCUS WORKSHOPOptions to encourage women exploredBy PCC Sheryl JensenOn 28 March a dynamic group of woman leaders in Lions gathered in Christchurch to share ideas andexpertise on membership growth.The workshop happened as a result ofInternational President Tam assemblinga Women's and Family MembershipDevelopment Task Force to collect ideasaround the world for growing women andfamily membership.The Task Force is comprised of the currentfemale International Directors and twofemale board appointees. Throughoutthe 2011-2012 fiscal year, these womenwere to be attending and participating inwomen's workshop events worldwide.The vision for the task force members isto gain insights for promoting, advancingand developing opportunities for womenand family membership in Lions. The taskforce will then pull together and distill theirfindings to develop recommendations onthe next stage.Since 1987, when Lions officially invitedwomen into membership, the number offemale Lions across the world has grownto over 322,000. While this is a goodachievement, women are only about 23%of our membership. If women make up 51%of our population worldwide, it is believedthat the percentage of women as Lionsshould be higher. In New Zealand womenmake up 27 % of the membership.Women's workshops around the world, inEurope, Japan, Kenya, Australia and lastmonth in New Zealand were to help understandwhat women and family members seek frommembership in Lions. The collective wisdomof those who attended these workshops willall be collected into recruiting action plansfor growing women and family membershipthroughout the world.International Director Gudrun Yngvadottirfrom MD107 Iceland was in New Zealandfor two District Conventions, so PresidentTam asked her to hold a women's workshopwhile she was here. This was an honour forNew Zealand as there had already beenone in our Constitutional area - Australialast September.The women on Council, Chairman Jo,Governors Lynette, Mary and Gay, and Iwere tasked with putting the programmetogether. All the District Governors wereasked to identify three future women leadersand they were then invited to attend.There were 23 women at the workshopand they worked very hard coming up withmany recommendations that not only wentto Council, but also to International DirectorGudrun to take back to the Task Force meetingfor reporting back to the International Board.Director Gudrun was very impressed withthe information that came from the NewZealand workshop.A number of recommendations from theworkshop were presented at the AprilCouncil meeting. These included futureDistrict workshops and promotional ideasand material for New Zealand Lions.MEMBER - EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (EMC)The Executive Management Committee(EMC) was established to oversee andprovide expertise and advice to the MultipleDistrict Council on the effectiveness andefficiency of the management of the MultipleDistrict. Membership of the Committeecomprises the Executive Officer, the MultipleDistrict Treasurer, the Council Chairman of theday, and three members appointed by Council,one of whom will be appointed Chairman.A vacancy will occur upon EMC memberPCC Sheryl Jensen's resignation to beeffective from the August 2012 EMCmeeting (to follow her imminent election tothe office of International Director) and theCouncil of Governors invites applicationsfrom Lions to fill that vacancy for a term ofthree years to 30 June 2015.The EMC meets monthly by teleconference,three times a year in person and attendsthe three Council meetings each year. Thesuccessful applicant will possess experiencein both the world of Lions and in businessmanagement and have a desire to provide thebest possible advice to the Executive Officerand Council.Applicants are invited to provide their reasonsfor seeking the position along with a conciseCV (no more than 3 - 4 pages) outlining theattributes that they would bring to the Committee.Applications may include the following:• Personal Details• Employment/occupation history• Achievements & Skills• Lions involvement• Key strengths• 1 or 2 Referees/referencesApplications (either electronic or post),marked confidential, close with the ExecutiveOfficer 9 am Monday 9 July 2012 and theappointment will be made by the Council ofGovernors at their meeting on 25 August2012 immediately prior to the ANZI-PacificForum in Queenstown.(Further detail relevant to the position maybe obtained from either the EMC Chairmanor the Executive Officer).Executive Officer, Lions Clubs InternationalMultiple District 202PO Box 691, Orewa 0946executiveofficer@lionsclubs.org.nzLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 28

LCIF UPDATEFamily health forums begunBy Allie StrykerLions are champions of vulnerable populations, providing them with many needed services. Lions span theglobe in their service, from children living on the streets of Brazil to athletes at Special Olympics games inSouth Africa.For the past 12 years, Lions and SpecialOlympics have been working together toensure health and quality of life for SpecialOlympics athletes through the OpeningEyes partnership, which provides freevision screenings.The need for vision screenings for theseathletes is great. Research has shownthat among Special Olympic athletes, 68percent have not had an eye examinationin three years, 37 percent are in need ofeyeglasses and 18 percent wear clinicallyincorrect eyeglasses.Recently, Aphiwe Qonya was one of the250,000 athletes who can thank Lionsand LCIF for a future with better vision.Aphiwe, a farsighted Special Olympicsathlete and student in South Africa, wasunable to read in class due to his visionimpairment. His teachers were not evenfully aware of his vision problem. Thanksto Opening Eyes, Aphiwe had his visionscreened and tried on glasses for the firsttime. His classmates all clapped when heput on his new glasses, and he was finallyable to read all the words and numbersin his school books rather than guessingat what was written. Aphiwe now has theopportunity to learn more in school.Aphiwe was screened as part of a FamilyHealth Forum, an expansion of thepartnership between LCIF and SpecialOlympics. Over the last few months, theFamily Health Forums have been piloted inAphiwe's home country of South Africa, aswell as in Namibia, Nigeria and Tanzania.Lions helped co-ordinate the forums, whereover 250 families learned about Lions Clubs,Special Olympics and the Opening Eyesprogramme. The forums were also a venueto help families andcaregivers learnways to overcomethe challenges thatathletes and theirfamilies face, whileexploring ways tohelp facilitate betteraccess to healthcare, education,social servicesand inclusion intheir communities.This initiative helpsSpecial Olympicscarry out a globalgoal of buildingcommunities through the participation offamilies and caregivers.Families also received information tailoredto specific community needs. In SouthAfrica, the forum educated families aboutmalaria, safe drinking water and theimportance of physical activity in the livesof children and adults with intellectualdisabilities. Malaria education, as well asinformation on the importance of keepinga clean environment around schools andsocial centres, was shared in Tanzania.The community-tailored information in theFamily Health Forums came with a muchneededbenefit-vision screenings for theathletes. Untreated vision problems canadd to the challenges of the athletes, whosevision needs can often be overlooked.The Opening Eyes programme, throughthe support of optic industry leaders EssilorInternational and Safilo, SpA, make itpossible for athletes to receive free visionscreenings and eyewear, if needed.Opening Eyes events and screenings relyon thousands of volunteers, particularlyLions. LCIF has provided $13 million insupport of this partnership programme, andmore than 15,000 volunteer Lions alongwith more than 10,000 trained doctorshave participated in vision screeningevents worldwide.With the recent expansion of Lions'partnership with Special Olympics throughFamily Health Forums, athletes like Aphiweand their families can now benefit in moreways, receiving vision screenings,LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 29

SIGHTFIRST UPDATELions restore sight in Sri LankaCataract is the leading cause of blindness in Sri Lanka. Piyadasa Hewavithana, 63, is one of 16,500 SriLankans who have the Lions to thank for regained sight through cataract surgery. Once nearly blind, he nowenjoys reading the newspaper and is able to work again."My sincere thanks to the doctor andstaff of the Lions Hospital at Panadurafor providing free vision for poor peoplewho would otherwise go blind," he says."I have got a new life. I pray that Lions willhelp many more poor people to get theirsight back."About 18 million people worldwide areblind from cataract, representing 48percent of all cases of blindness. Indeveloping countries surgical servicesare often inadequate or inaccessible.Or there are long waiting periods foroperations, shortages of supplies andtransportation problems that impedeaccess to the underserved.Sri Lanka emerged from a 26-yearlongcivil war in 2009. Resources thatwould have otherwise been available forhealth care had been diverted to militaryspending. However, even during wartime,SightFirst prevented vision loss. Between1993 and 2008, SightFirst provided nearly$1.8 million. In addition to surgeries, eyecare wings were constructed at threegovernment hospitals, four governmenteye wings were upgraded and three Lionseye hospitals were supported throughinfrastructure development, humanresource training and cataract subsidies.Dr S Chandrashekar Shetty, SightFirsttechnical advisor for Sri Lanka, says:"Lions of Sri Lanka have joined hands withnational and provincial governments of SriLanka, other national and internationalNGOs, voluntary organisations andcivil society in providing need-based,comprehensive, quality eye-care services inthe underservedpopulation of SriLanka in the lasttwo decades."As cataractremains theleading causeof blindness inSri Lanka andmany otherdevelopingnations, Lionscontinue to focuson cataractsurgeries.One of theindicators usedto determine thedegree to whichthe cataractissue is beingaddressed isthe cataractsurgical rate, or the number of cataractsurgeries being carried out by all eyecareproviders, per million population.The Sri Lankan average is 3,804, but thisnumber fluctuates wildly between the 25districts of Sri Lanka, with figures rangingfrom 571 to 8,889. These new figures willhelp guide Lions eye hospitals to reachthe underserved.Specifically, the Lions seek to expandtheir outreach beyond the greaterColombo area in Sri Lanka and havestarted working with the ministry of healthand VISION 2020, a global initiative toeliminate blindness, to play a proactiverole in building the eye-care systems inother parts of the country.They have explored partnering withgovernment hospitals in Jaffna,Trincomalee and Batticaloa for upgradesto help address the areas' cataract surgicalbacklogs. A new Lions eye hospital inRatnapura, financed through a SightFirstgrant and a generous donation by theLions of Finland and their government,will address eye care needs in anotherunderserved part of the country.Through these efforts, the Lions can answerHewavithana's prayer to "help many morepoor people to get their sight back."LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 30

NOTICES/OBITUARIESMargaret COURT 1934-2011Margaret joined the Waimate WhitehorseLions Club in September 1992, alwaysgot 100% attendance and was an activemember on the projects, catering, social/programme, health & welfare and publicitycommittees. Margaret loved having a chatwith her fellow Lions members and had agreat sense of humour. She loved knittingand her garden was her pride in joy; shewas an active member of the WaimateGarden Club. In the later years Margaretsuffered ill health but was always willingto do an hour or two selling tickets on ourraffle days. Margaret had three sons (onedeceased) and very supportive daughtersin-law.She was a much-loved grandmotherand great grandmother.Colin MacKenzie HILL 1937-2011Colin was born in Wellington, trained as aplumber and became his own boss early inhis working life. He joined Tawa Lions asa charter member in 1966 and served hisclub and community with distinction for 45years of perfect attendance. Colin servedas an elected officer for 20 of those yearsincluding president 1971/72 and eleventerms as a director. He introduced ninenew members, convened the club's 25thanniversary celebrations, co-convened theNZ 2000 Book Project supporting CampQuality, and became a Melvin Jones Fellowin 2000. Colin achieved much in Tawa Lionsand his community with notable support toTawa Kindergarten, Tawa College and theTawa Volunteer Fire Brigade. He is survivedby his wife Barbara, daughters Caroline andVivienne and their families.Tuckwell Clifton (Cliff) KEITH 1938-2012As a member of the Karori Lions Club (1968-1972) Cliff believed there was a need for aclub closer to home in Northland and theadjacent suburb of Wilton, and was able toget Karori Lions to sponsor the new TinakoriLions Club in 1977. As a charter member ofthe club, Cliff was instrumental in seeking out anumber of projects both locally and of nationalsignificance; notably recognition of the needto provide assistance to the Cystic FibrosisAssociation of New Zealand where LionsClubs throughout New Zealand raised a totalof $56,000 to fund a researcher, ProfessorBob Elliott. Cliff is survived by his wife Diana,daughter Joanna and son Christopher.Rex John WHITING 1935-2011Born at Hinds and educated at Hinds andAshburton schools, John left school to workon his parents' and neighbouring farms. Hethen commenced farming on his own land,and became a very accomplished stockmanespecially in his knowledge of sheep farming.His keen interests in rugby and horse racingwere among his many leisure pursuits. As aCharter member of Hinds & Districts LionClub in 1984, John became the first directorof Programme and Social, then moved onto 2nd VP 1985, 1st VP 1986, and presidentin 1987. Other directorships followed in lateryears. John will be remembered as a valuedmember of the club who could always berelied upon to attend working bees, sellraffles, and contribute to the successfulrunning of the club. John is survived by hiswife Cecelia, the current president of theLions Club of Ashburton County, and hisfour daughters.Alan (Arnie) WRIGHTAlan joined Lions as a charter memberof the Otago Peninsula Club in 1975. Hetransferred to Te Anau in 1981, servinga term as president. He returned to thePeninsula in 1989, serving as president,director (twice) and youth affairs chairman.Alan was a very active member with almost100% attendance right up until he had tomove to the Montecillo Veterans Home.Alan wil be most remembered as the DOCranger and his work with the albatross atTaiaroa Heads. So successful were Alanand his wife Connie, they were asked tomove to Te Anau to organise a programmefor the survival of the takahe. Alan receivedthe highest of accolades at his funeral whenhe was accorded the honour of havingalbatross feathers grace his coffin - a realgift from the local Maori rununga to a manwho helped save both these precious birds.Alan is survived by Connie, three childrenand their families.STRATFORD LIONS CLUB - 50TH CHARTERANNIVERSARYOn 11 March 1963 the then World President ofLions International, Curtis D Lovill of Main, USA,attended a function at the Stratford War MemorialHall to present the Charters to three new LionsClubs in the Taranaki area - New Plymouth ,Stratford and Hawera.On Saturday 23 February 2013 the Stratford LionsClub is to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of thishistoric event and is looking for expressions ofinterest from all past members and supporters of allthree clubs chartered at that time. Please forwardcontact details to the club at P O Box 242, Stratford4352 or email deaths@xtra.co.nz for inclusion infuture communication of activities planned. Weare interested in hearing from anyone who hasinformation on past members or holds details ofclub activities throughout the past 50 years.Peter DeathOn behalf of the organising committee. The only agent licensed in NZ byInternational to apply the Lions logo.. We can print or embroider ontogarments as well.. Contact: Dex 027 614 3570Jonno 07 886 0867banners@tokoroalions.comLION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 31

Candidates for Second International Vice PresidentAs of press time, there were eight candidates for International Vice President. The election will take place June 26 at the 95thInternational Convention in Busan, Korea.Harri Ala-KuljuPast International Director Harri Ala-Kulju joined the EspooKeskus Lions Club in Finland in 1977. An insurance director,he has held many offices within the association including clubpresident, cabinet secretary, zone chairman, region chairman,district governor, vice council chairman, council chairman andleader of the Lions extension team in Finland. He has receivednumerous awards including the 100% Club President's Award,several District Governor's Appreciation Awards, the 100% District Governor'sAward, several International President's Certificates of Appreciation, eightInternational President's Awards and the Ambassador of Goodwill award.Phil NathanPast International Director Phil Nathan of Earls Colne,England, served as an international director from 1999-2001.He has been a Lion since 1982 and a charter member of theSouth Woodham Ferrers Lions Club since 1989. A stockbrokerand director of a company, Nathan served as Europa Forumpresident in 2006, holds trustee status on eight different boardsof charitable trusts and is active in many professional, civicand community organisations. In 2001, he was recognised by Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II with an MBE, a Member of the British Empire.Steven ShererPast International Director Steven Sherer, of New Philadelphia,Ohio, is a licensed public accountant and has been a member ofthe Dover Lions Club since 1980. A Progressive Melvin JonesFellow, he has attended 19 international conventions and 13USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forums. He is a GMT areaco-ordinator and the recipient of several international awardsincluding the Ambassador of Goodwill Award and InternationalLeadership Awards. He was honoured with a Distinguished Citizens Award in hiscommunity and is active in many professional and community organisations.Salim MoussanPast International Director Salim Moussan, of Beirut,Lebanon, was elected to serve on the International Board ofDirectors at the association's 80th international conventionheld in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1997. The owner ofa trading company, he is involved in many professional andcommunity organisations. He is a two-time board appointeeand a two-time group leader at international conventions. Hehas attended 24 international conventions and more than 100forums and regional conferences. He served as chairman of the 23rd ISAAMEForum. He is the founder of the Lions Eye Centre in Lebanon.Convention CallIn compliance with Article VI, Section 2 of theInternational By-Laws, I hereby issue the OfficialCall for the 2012 International Convention. Our95th International Convention will be held in Busan,Republic of Korea. It begins at 10am June 22 andends June 26. The purpose of the convention is toelect a president, first vice president, second vicepresident and 17 members of the international boardof directors and to transact such other businessas may properly come before the meeting. Busanis an exciting, fast-paced, world-class city with amultitude of fine restaurants and tourist attractions.It also is one of the most beautiful cities in theworld, surrounded by blue mountains, rivers andlovely beaches. Lions will immensely enjoy itsmild temperatures, the unique Korean culture andwonderful cuisine, most notably the fresh seafood.Convention Week is a splendid, unforgettableexperience full of fellowship, fun and learning. Lionswill enjoy many enduring traditions such as thestirring flag ceremony, the festive internationalparade and the lively, multicultural internationalshow. The memorable plenary sessions includea keynote speech by Dr Margaret Chan, thedirector-general of the World Health Organisation,the presentation of the 2012 HumanitarianAward and the installation of the 2012-2013international president and district governors. TheLions of Korea will warmly welcome their visitorsand ensure that this convention is absolutelyoutstanding in every regard. This convention willbe a vibrant testimony to the power of We Believeas well as to the enduring value of family bondsof Lions. I strongly encourage you to be a part ofthis special Lions event. Signed by me at OakBrook, Illinois, United States of America, this 7thday of May 2012.Wing-Kun Tam, PresidentThe International Association of Lions ClubsG RamaswamyPast International Director G Ramaswamy of Coimbatore,India, joined the Annur Town Lions Club in 1985 as a charteredpresident. Serving as an international director from 1996 to1998, he has been recognised for sponsoring more than 900new members into Lions clubs. He also spurred membershipgrowth from 30,000 to 105,000 in Multiple District 324. Heserved as an appointee to the International Board of Directorsfrom 1999 to 2000, 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007. Ramaswamy is an industrialistand the recipient of numerous professional, civic and community awards.Joe PrestonPast International Director Joe Preston of Dewey, Arizona,joined the Mesa Host Lions Club in 1974 and now belongsto the Bradshaw Mountain Lions Club. A fleet sales managerfor a Ford dealership, he has served as a Lion in numerouscapacities including council chairman, district governor,zone chairman and MERL chairman. He also chaired the1994 international convention in Phoenix and the 2003USA/Canada Forum in Portland. He has received the Ambassador of GoodwillAward and other honours.Francisco Fabríco De Oliveira NetoPast International Director Francisco Fabríco De OliveiraNeto joined the Catolé do Rocha Lions Club in Brazil in 1985.An entrepreneur and business administrator, he has servedas a Lion as district governor, council chairman, districtLCIF chairman, SightFirst committee chairman and in othercapacities. He has received numerous awards including sixInternational President's Certificates of Appreciation, theParadigm Medal, Leadership Medal and two President's Medals.Giovanni RigonePast International Director Giovanni Rigone joined the PaviaHost Lions Club in Italy in 1969. The owner of an engineeringfirm, he has held many positions within the association includingclub president, district governor, council chairman and GLTarea leader. He was president of the Europa Forum in 1992.He has received many Lions awards including 21 InternationalPresident's Awards and the Ambassador of Goodwill Award.Official Notice - 2012 InternationalConvention, Busan, Republic of KoreaThe following proposed amendment to the International By-Laws will bereported to the delegates for vote at the 2012 International Convention.This amendment requires a majority affirmative vote for adoption.ITEM 1: A RESOLUTION TO REMOVE THEMEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS ANDPRIVILEGES CHARTS FROM THE INTERNATIONALBY-LAWS, AND CONTINGENT ON THE APPROVALOF THIS RESOLUTION, THESE CHARTS WILL BEMOVED TO THE MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONSSECTION OF THE BOARD POLICY MANUAL.SHALL THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BEADOPTED?BE IT RESOLVED, That Article XI, Section 7 of theInternational By-Laws be amended by deleting thesecond sentence of the first paragraph in its entiretyand substituting the following:Such categories shall have the rights, privilegesand obligations as set forth in accordance with thepolicies of the International Board of Directors.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Article XI, Section7 of the International By-Laws be amended by deletingthe Obligations chart on page 47 and the Rights andPrivileges chart on page 48.