Lions Club of Warragul changeover dinner
After a busy and successful year of fundraising and serving the community, out going Lions Club of Warragul president Graeme Perkins handed over the chains of office to Lion Chris Kennedy at its recent change over dinner at the Black Tie Restaurant.
Among the guests were Lion Jim Johnson from Lions Club of Willow Grove and zone chairman Murray Gardner.
In his official speech Mr Perkins said he enjoyed his year in office and expressed his thanks to the club for their unconditional support and commitment with club continuing to be financially sound.
Funds were raised during the year primarily from the clubs catering service, firewood collection and sales.
The Lions mint and Christmas cake sales and the annual golf day event enabled the club to raise and donate more than $70,000 to more than 50 deserving individuals and groups.
Some of the larger recipients were the West Gippsland Hospital, Mawarra, Vision Australia (Warragul), the Warragul Special School and the community based Ice Meltdown Project.
Graeme was also very passionate in involving the Club with other likeminded groups and services in fighting the Ice drug scourge.
The club donated $4000 to Ice Meltdown Project, which to date has assisted more than 80 individuals in getting off their addiction.
Membership retention and growth was one of Mr Perkins’ other objectives.
With a membership drive and input from members during the year, seven new members were welcomed to the club. The latest of whom was Peter Hammond who was inducted during the changeover dinner by zone chairman Gardner.
The club now has a membership of 58. Mr Perkins trusts the club will continue to be proactive to achieve continued growth.
Mr Perkins presented Chris Kennedy, John Keating, Alan White, Greg Murdoch and Geoff Anderson the coveted James D Richardson award for their long and dedicated service to the club and in the wider community.
In return the club awarded Mr Perkins the James Lucardi Award for his involvement with the Ice project.
Zone chairman Gardner installed the new board with Chris Kennedy as president, Tom Nunan as secretary, Colin Dyason as treasurer, Marty Christian as membership chairman, Bruce Walker as Lion Tamer, Alan White as Tail Twister with Jeff Tolley, Ossie Elloit and Glun Davis as first, second and third vice president respectively.
One-year directors are Evan Roberts and Bob Coelho while two-year directors are Ben Codling and John Herbel.
The installation of the Lioness Club of Warragul was also done on the night.
Zone chairman Gardner conducted the installation ceremony.
The office bearers are Ann Keating as president, Lynn Kennedy as vice president, Judy Murray as secretary, Ann Davies as vice secretary, Wendy Kennedy as treasurer and the publicity and public relation officer.
In his address to the club, incoming president Chris Kennedy said he looks forward to continuing the hard work with and by the club in serving the community and to further develop the club.
Chris acknowledged the club’s long and respected service history and its continuing membership strength.
The club will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016 and Mr Kennedy intends to prepare for this occasion with a 50th anniversary book.