Give our kids a chance - Lions Australia

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They only remember the winners By Sid L Scruggs lll, President, The International Association of Lions Clubs As I reflect on this Lions year I am reminded of the words of my high school track coach: “Son, it is not how you started, it is how you finished. They only remember the winners.” Our goal this year was to re-engage Lions in service to be a Beacon of Hope. As you look to complete your year as a Lion, I hope you will finish strong. My track coach had me train at a distance 10 percent longer than the race so that I was still going strong as I crossed the finish line. With the global action campaign completed for this year we must continue to make sure our community service continues strong across this year’s finish line. The people we help will always remember us as the people that helped them be winners! There are almost 1.4 million of us, and if each Lion did one act of meaningful service each month, it would amount to 17 million acts of kindness in a year. If our service was one act a week, we would celebrate more than 73 million instances of Lions making a difference in the lives of others. As you look over your life’s accomplishments, I believe you will agree that the most memorable events are those times when you made a difference in someone’s life. I’ve read that what we make is a living, but what we give away is what makes a life. To meet the need of someone else is indeed being a Beacon of Hope. I thank you for your service and ask you to continue to serve with passion. 8 Quarter century of restoring sight Western Australia’s Lions Eye Bank celebrates 25 years of the gift of sight. In 1925, when Helen Keller urged Lions to join her in a “crusade against darkness”, she planted a seed that has yielded a rich harvest worldwide. Forty-five years after her initial call, at their 1970 conference in Albany, Lions clubs in Western Australia formed the Lions Save Sight Foundation (WA) Inc. to lead the development of world-class ophthalmic care. Over time, the Foundation achieved a number of milestones – including the launch of the Lions Chair in Ophthalmology at The University of Western Australia in 1975 and in 1983 the creation of the internationally-renowned Lions Eye Institute (LEI). The Foundation also worked with Lions clubs of Western Australia to screen for glaucoma throughout the state. And from the early 1970s, the Lions Save Sight Foundation (LSSF) recognised it had a vital role to play in generating community awareness about the importance of eye tissue donation. LSSF Chairman PCC Ambrose Depiazzi said the Foundation opened up community discussion about the often sensitive issue of tissue donation. “We knew that corneal transplantation was the only option for many people who were blind because their corneas were damaged or diseased. “We set about finding ways to raise public awareness about the benefits of corneal transplantation and, along with the Australian Kidney Foundation, developed a donor pledge card which allowed people to make an informed choice.” While the Western Australian Lions were committed to raising public awareness of the importance of donor pledges, it was not until 1986 that a fully operational Eye Bank was established. This would not have been possible without the support of the LSSF and Lions clubs, which originally funded and assisted in the set-up costs of the Eye Bank in Western Australia. Since then the Lions Eye Bank of WA has evolved and in August 1999 it was approved as a licensed body by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Changes continue and in April this year it began the transition to a different type of storage method for corneas. This new method increases the storage time of a viable cornea from Lions Eye Bank Director, Associate Professor Steve Wiffen ... donating eye tissue and corneas is to be encouraged. Lions Eye Bank’s celebration one week to four, which has enormous advantages in the use and scheduling of corneal transplants as well as enabling further expansion of the acceptable donor pool. It is expected this change will see an increase of available eye tissue donors and a decrease in waiting times for corneal transplants. On July 1, the Lions Eye Bank will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Since its inception, more than 3400 Western Australians have received corneal transplants, vastly improving their quality of life by improving or restoring their vision. Lions Eye Bank Director, Associate Professor Steve Wiffen, said there was a consistent requirement for corneas. “The number of Western Australians awaiting a corneal transplant has been increasing over the last few years.” He said many people did not realise they were more likely to be in a position to donate eye tissue than any other organ or tissue, due to broader age and medical acceptance criteria. Managing Director of the Lions Eye Institute, Professor David Mackey, said that as a not-forprofit organisation, LEI relied heavily on community support. “Lions clubs in Western Australia have been extraordinary and their leadership has allowed us to fund vital equipment, scholarships and research over many years. “Right from the beginning, the Lions Save-Sight Foundation set itself the objective of creating programs that educate, prevent and cure eye disease – as well as establishing a world-leading research centre. It is a great legacy to the people of Western Australia and the wider world.” Lion
Devil of a time in Launceston From the moment the Tasmanian Governor, the Honourable Peter Underwood AC, invited Lions to have a devil of a time (“though hopefully not to extinction”) at the 59th National Convention in Launceston, the mood was set. It was fun, fellowship and planning for possibly the most momentous phase in Australian Lions history. There was excitement about PID Barry Palmer’s much-hoped-for announcement as Australia’s first International 2nd Vice President at the 94th International Convention in Seattle (July 4 to 8) – and growing confidence over an injection of youth to complement “wise heads” in the organisation. Indicative of the youthful new make-up of Lions Australia was the announcement that last year’s June - July 2011 59th National Convention rated a Tassie triumph total of 75 Leos clubs nation-wide is likely to soar to 100 or more by the end of this year. In line with the youth direction, keynote speaker Father Chris Riley emotionally invited Lions to become the voice and force for youth in Australia (see story page 11). Our new Council Chairman was announced for 2011-2012 – N1’s Peter Clarke – and details of next year’s national convention in Perth were outlined. Most agreed the organisation of the Launceston Convention was a giant success, with regular attendances of 1000-plus daily, warm hospitality and plentiful catering. A highlight was the Saturday morning march led by the City of Launceston RSL Band through the streets of the city. On the Sunday morning a Victoria’s Lions Club of Mount Eliza has reached new heights. Its bannerette has been unfurled 6189 metres up on a mountain, Island Peak, in the Himalayas. Climber James Nash, a resident of Mount Eliza, agreed to take the banner with him after addressing club members. The 11-member team undertook the ambitious project as part of a campaign to raise $1 million for cancer research. dignified remembrance ceremony, in which District Governors and their partners placed flowers in vases on stage, also impressed. Sponsored by Invocare, a strong supporter of Lions and this convention, the simple ceremony provided a moving farewell to Lions who have left us in the past year. Impressive too were the venues – the Silverdome stadium, where the opening and flag ceremonies were held on the first day, and the historic Albert Hall (pictured above), location for much of the rest of the convention. One of Launceston’s most significant buildings, the Victorian hall was constructed in 1891 to house the Tasmanian Industrial Exhibition of 1891-92. MORE CONVENTION STORIES OVER PAGE Unfurling banner 6189 metres high in Himalayas Climbing Island Peak was the brainchild of Amanda Ghirardello, 25, in remission from stage 3 breast cancer. Amanda is raising money in the hope of ultimately curing cancer while showing other sufferers how they can experience “a fantastic, active life”. Her story is at http://www.mountainkingdoms.com/blog/remission-possibleeverest-base-camp-trekking-cancer-fundraiser/. 9
Page 1: Registered by Australia Post Public
Page 4 and 5: Meet LCIF’s biggest donor Philant
Page 6 and 7: LIONS ACTION Queens of the desert I
Page 10 and 11: Coffee break for new nation The sim
Page 12 and 13: 1 2 3 6 4 5 7 LAUNCESTON CANDIDS 1.
Page 14 and 15: 14 PATRICK the Lion Namers Patrick
Page 16 and 17: MS representative Anita Graham with
Page 18 and 19: MD 201 District Governors 2011 - 20
Page 20 and 21: MD 201 District Governors 2011 - 20
Page 22 and 23: MILLION DOLLAR “MIRACLE” ROSY R
Page 24 and 25: Day to remember It was a typical sc
Page 26 and 27: Convention bids 2014: Seeking expre
Page 28 and 29: 28 708 million reasons to thank LCI
Page 30 and 31: 30 Front page triumph It pays to pr

Give our kids a chance - Lions Australia

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