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

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