I have enjoyed being the President of The Lions Club of the City of Adelaide over the last four years, having presided over the generational change and the welcoming of ladies to full membership in our Club. It has been a period when approximately 80% of our members have changed due to members’ age or moving interstate. During the past year, four members of our Club have passed away, four members have moved to Western Australia and two members have moved out of our area and joined other Clubs, and another three members have retired due to old age or illness. Our Club has not been alone in this predicament and many Clubs are or about to be presented with this challenge. This matter is currently being looked at being worked on at District level. I am, however, pleased to report that our Club is well situated in this challenge and I look forward to our Club continuing to grow in the coming years as we attract younger new members.
Dinner meetings on the first Tuesday of each month have been generally well attended and we most certainly have had an excellent range of speakers including, the Royal Flying Doctor Services, Crania Facial Australia, Kick Start for Kids, and Asthma Foundation SA to name just a few.
Our annual projects, such as the Children of Courage Awards, which last year attracted 23 candidates and the Citizen of the Year award in conjunction with SAPOL were very successful and well received again this year.
The number of BBQ’s worked on by our Club, including the now monthly Fred’s Van, must have been near a record for our club, especially the number we catered for in November and December. Particular thank yous need to go to Andrew, Kish, Lindsay and Ray Najar for your assistance on managing the BBQ’s and to Warren and Dean for managing the Hutt street breakfasts.
Earlier this year we introduced our Lion “Leonardo Di Lion” which has been well received by children, and adults, at the various events it has attended. It is fun figure that helps make our club stand out.
Our Cake and Mints programs have been good earners for our Club. Hopefully the terrific work and organisation done by Simon will be rewarded this coming Christmas. Thank you to Greg, Warren, Dean, Robin, Bob and all other members who assisted in these Sales.
Our new Project “Hear me Roar” co-ordinated by Petrea with the help of Jessica and Kish was a roaring success, with the cushions, port pillows and gift packs being extremely well received by the Northern Adelaide Cancer Centre at the Lyell McEwen Hospital. We made a second delivery last Friday. This project is only limited by the number of people who are able to assist in sewing the pillows and our ability to finance the project. Other area such as Cranio Facial are looking forward to our Club assisting them with our pillows. A lot of work, but a lot of satisfaction, on seeing the results.
To members of my Executive Team, Lindsay, Dean, Petrea and Maria in particular, thank you for your help over the past 12 months, for without your help we could not have achieved our accomplishments. To all members of the Club who assisted in our multitude of activities, thank you. You are the backbone of our Club.
To Lindsay, I wish you well in your coming year as President of our fine Club and know that like myself you will enjoy the role and the challenges it brings.
Thank you.
Tony Pederick OAM