The Lions PrideThe Lions PrideJAN – FEB 2014

Newsletter of the Lions Club of Moorabbin Inc. PO Box 1144 Moorabbin Phone (03) 9583 6281

Website - http://moorabbin.vic.lions.org.au Email – Website - http://moorabbin.vic.lions.org.au Email – moorabbin.lions@hotmail.com moorabbin.lions@hotmail.com Bill Tomkinson – President , Gillian Lelah – Secretary , John Lissenburg – Treasurer

Editor Sam Dalley, sjdalley@bigpond.com

With record amounts in sponsorship and entry fees, the total amount raised from Moorabbin Lions RMGC Charity Golf Day will be in excess of $54,000, representing an increase of almost 15% over last year’s record.President Bill Tomkinson said – “only for the members of the RMGC giving up their golf for a day and permitting our club to organize the Charity Golf Day, we would not have raised the $52,000 to go to combating cancer and other local charities.” He added “the value to our day from The Royal Melbourne Golf Club was approximately $27,000 in entry fees.”He thanked the Golf Day Sponsors, Lions and other Volunteers, and the over 230 golfers for attending and supporting local charities. The golfers' generosity in partaking in all the fundraising opportunities on the day, including the auction of valuable items, helped in the total funds tally. Golf Committee Convenor Lion Geoff Thomas said that blessed with near perfect weather, fantastic sponsors, a full field of enthusiastic golfers and most importantly a wonderful team of hard and capable workers and volunteers, it had been another day that our club should be truly proud of. “This outcome is a result of a lot of hard work by many people. In particular I would like to thank our president Lion Bill who was a tremendous support. Not to be overlooked was one of our greatest assets, Lion Russell Jackson whose skill, hard work and amenable manner is outstanding,” he said. “Special mention must also go to Lion Sabeena Beveridge for her tireless efforts in promoting our event within PeterMac. A sponsorship cheque of $5,000 was made directly to them as a result of her work, meaning PeterMac received in total $30,000.“We again tried some new initiatives namely sorting entries online, introducing a sponsors luncheon, developed role functions to help share work load, and sold drinks from golf carts.” Lion Geoff said that these initiatives worked with varying degrees of success and the review meeting has taken the outcomes on board for future discussion when planning this year’s event.

Royal Melbourne Golf Day Fund-raiserBreaks Record

SIZZLING AT BUNNINGS! Our Bunnings BBQ's continue to sizzle, with $1575 being raised at the latest BBQ on Saturday the 14th of December. Manning the 'sizzle' were Lions Stuart Moynes, John and Marilyn Lissenburg, Lex Richardson, Michael Greenwood and daughter Grace, Lions Jessie Brent, Tom James, Bill Tomkinson, Gillian Lelah, Di Fensham and Pat Foss, a 'Friend' of Moorabbin Lions. “Thank you to Lions Bill, Tom and Gillian for assisting with packing up and to Lion Di for assisting John with cleaning part of the BBQ area – a great job,” said Lion Marilyn. “We sold eight Lion Christmas Cakes. Quite a lot of sausages and drinks were sold and we raised $1575 – a great team effort.”

Pres. Bill Tomkinson presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Paul Rak CEO of The RMGC., and a cheque for $25,000 to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre representative Jill Ransom .

“Finally I can report that our review meeting with RMGC was most interesting in that they were very complementary of the way we organized and ran our day. As one of the organizers I am always concerned that we do the right thing, as a disaster could change everything. All members should appreciate how fortunate we are to have this arrangement – in fact we are the envy of every other similar group.

Golf Day Committee Convenor Lion Geoff Thomas

“Let me say that I believe our relationship with them, to my knowledge, has never been better. Long may it continue.” Moorabbin Lions appreciates the support of our 'Golf Day' sponsors – Toxfree, MaxiTRANS, Bendigo Bank, Quest Apartments, Drummond Golf, Commonwealth Bank, Verathon Medical, Tranzworks, Booran Motors, Bayside Council, Kingston Council,

The Lions PrideThe Lions Pride

DIARY DATESDIARY DATES FEBRUARY

Wed 5th Business MeetingThurs 6th Book Sale at The DenSun 9th Cabinet Meeting Wed 12th YOTY - Judges Interviews Wed 19th YOTY Dinner & JudgingSun 23rd Marathon – Marshalling Brighton

LIONS 'YOUTH OF THE YEAR'QUEST 2014

Lion Gillian Lelah is finalising arrangements for Moorabbin's club final of the 'The Lions Youth of the Year Quest' to be held, this year, over two days. On Wednesday afternoon 12th February each participant will be interviewed by the Judging Panel and Wednesday evening 19th February, when there will be Public Speaking and the announcement of the winner/s at the local level. The event is to be held at the Sandbelt Club Hotel.

Lion Louise Mapleston has been busy contacting school coordinators to invite participation and the recruitment of students.

The Lions Youth of the Year Quest is aimed at all young people who seek to improve their skills before entering the workforce or other endeavours.

The Lions Youth of the Year Quest is designed to encourage, foster and develop leadership in conjunction with other citizenship qualities in our youth, at the age when they are about to enter the fields of employment or higher education, and provides students with the incentive to pay greater attention to the general qualities, so vital in developing our youths into first class citizens.

The qualities sought, apart from academic attainments are those of leadership, personality, sportsmanship, public speaking and good citizenship. The Quest aims to encourage student interest in leadership and the qualities required to take an active and constructive role in the community.

The Quest seeks a high level of academic, leadership, sporting, public speaking and citizenship achievement in its potential winners

Operation SmileMost of our members are aware that Australian Lions Clubs have a long history of supporting initiatives to help people with disabilities including the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation, our Pre-School Autism Education and Therapy Project and Operation Smile. 'Operation Smile Australia' is part of a global alliance of Operation Smile Foundations and Resource Chapters dedicated to providing free treatment to children and young adults suffering from childhood facial deformities in developing countries. Last year saw an Australian group of 'Operation Smile' volunteers heading for airports to fly to Phnom Penh to begin work the next morning. Alongside 57 other like minded volunteers, the Aussies began work with local doctors, nurses, students, translators and medical receptionists.A total of 97 patients were screened the first day and surgeries were planned. By the end of the day, most of the readying was done, machinery and autoclaves set up and the rooms ready for the busy week ahead.On Monday, they had four operating tables working and by day three, they had added one more. A total of 113 surgeries were completed over the four days of operating. Screening continued each day of the mission and a total of 197 patients were screened.Participating surgeons and anaesthetists came from the USA, Canada, Italy, Australia and of course, Cambodia. Recovery staff coped admirably with only 3 recovery beds and often 5-6 patients at a time. They became skilled at juggling beds and chairs for the patients. The ward was always very busy, with patients being admitted for surgery, post-surgery patients and discharging patients all going on in the same area. It was complete with its very own 'movie theatre' very kindly set up by a thoughtful volunteer who came armed with his DVD player and supply of DVDs that were screened onto the wall from 7am - 8pm every day, keeping the little patients entertained.

Louise Reachesa Milestone!

Over the course of a year many Lions Clubs extend birthday greetings to members in their newsletters, however few clubs would have the pleasure of celebrating the 21st Birthday of one of its members. Pres. Bill Tomkinson and Membership Chairman Karen Mitri were on hand to help Lion Louise Mapleston cut a celebratory cake to mark her 21st Birthday.

BIRTHDAYSBIRTHDAYSJANUARY

3rd Susie Tomkinson, 5th Jessie Brent 18th Stuart MoynsFebruary

5th Cerise de Gelder 8th Matylda Jaworski 10th Jack Hellyer 16th Sherine Vanderputt

26th Lex Richardson26th Lex Richardson

Anniversary'sJanuary

7th Sam & June Dalley18th Bill & Susie Tomkinson26th Marilyn & John Lissenburg

February20th Russell & Margaret Jackson26th Lex & Marlene Richardson

Sabra Lane's happy 'Youth of the Year' memoriesToday she is known nationally as a top ABC political reporter but about three decades back Sabra Lane was a national finalist in the Lions Youth of the Year quest. Sabra, from Mildura, was the "S" Districts winner for 1984-85, and subsequently attended the National Final in Launceston. Now based in Canberra and heard on the AM current affairs program, Sabra remembers the quest with great fondness."I was pretty ordinary at those impromptu speeches (great training for what I do now: the last-minute interview ... quickly thinking on your feet, to think of and ask questions that probe the interview talent). For more on Sabra's Youth of the Year experiences, read Brian Williams' Youth of the Year report on page 30 of 'The Lion.'

Marilyn, Lesley, John, Di Gillian, Jessie

The Lions PrideThe Lions Pride

'Presidents Billy T's Message to Members

“Even though we had a very casual meeting in January where special guest Gerald Basterfield spoke about some slides of early Moorabbin, it felt like the meeting was a good start of the calendar year. I trust everybody had a good break and is looking forward to participating in activities with other members, social, community and fundraising.”

“To begin the year we are to consider adopting our new set of By-Laws that are specific to the successful running of our club and offer a guide of how we work together. They will be a guide to all existing and new members on the way we operate and our commitment to belonging as members of a proactive Lions Club.”

“At the last meeting a motion was passed to recognise the achievements of Lion Geoff Thomas who not only steered the committee in the successful running of our 38th Annual Charity Golf Day at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, but contributed many hours in organising the auction items, goodie bags and golfers so that the day was enjoyed by all. Testimonial to Lion Geoff's leadership was the record funds raised on the day of $53,994 plus $506 taken by Clarinda Lions Club.”

“Congratulations Lion Geoff and also to wife Lynne for giving him fantastic support.”

CHRISTMASCELEBRATIONS

Moorabbin LC members gathered on Saturday December 7th for the clubs annual Christmas Dinner at 'The Buckingham International.' Festivities got under way with drinks and nibbles 'pool-side,' before proceeding to the 'Guards Room' for a delicious three course meal. Those assembled were entertained by Peta Evans-Taylor, who came to Melbourne from Brisbane 6 months ago. With 5 nominations in 4 categories, Peta headed to the Music Oz Awards (Sydney) on Thursday November 7th. She was in the top 3 in Australia in the Live Performance section.

AROUND THE CLUBPres. Bill, Tomkinson, and Lions Gillian Lelah and Jessie Brent made their way to Girrawheen Day Care Respite Centre (for elderly or needy people in our community,) on Monday December 16th to distribute Christmas Gifts to around 66 people who attend the centre. Lions Gillian and Jessie were very appreciative of Pres. Bill's presence and assistance in carrying the boxes of gifts. The New Year saw Lions John and Marilyn Lissenburg, Di Fensham Gillian Lelah, Jessie Brent, together with Lion Lesley Hagen ( Mordialloc-Mentone LC,) joining Clarinda Lions for a weekend in Victoria's North East, including Yarrawonga-Mulwala and Beechworth and places in between. After the 46 degree heat on the Saturday, there was some respite when our intrepid travellers took to the water the waters of Lake Mulwala on board the Paradise Queen, before embarking on a hot bus journey to historic Beechworth. Rumour has it that Lion Jessie was somewhat the poorer after playing the pokies!!!!It was with some sadness that Lion Marilyn Lissenburg informed members at our last meeting the Kingston Push – where Moorabbin Lions assist Kingston Centre residents and patients to participate in Sunday Worship – had come to an end. Lion Marilyn said the program been going for over 40 years, and it is with sadness that the Kingston Centre has decided to discontinue the Kingston Push. Rev Kerry Bounds, Coordinator Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy, on behalf of her department, has expressed sincere appreciation to all Moorabbin Lions volunteers who have faithfully undertaken this task over many years. Their contribution has made a difference to the lives of those patients involved.

Lion Lex Richardson, local historian Gerald Basterfield MBE, and Pres. Bill Tomkinson. Mr Basterfield received a presentation following his talk at Moorabbin LC's January meeting.

Singer Peta Evens-Taylor

Lions Marilyn Lissenburg, Lesley Hagen, John Lissenburg, Di Fensham, Gillian Lelah, and Jessie Brent, about to board the 'Paradise Queen' for a boat cruise on Lake Mulwala.

Sun 9th Cabinet Meeting